Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.10.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

Global climate unity dealt blow as Australia and Canada put business first (via The Guardian)

Denmark set to approve new climate change law (via RTCC)

Hawaii governor signs climate change bill (via KITV.com)

NATURAL GAS 

IEA cuts gas use forecast through 2019 as coal, renewables gain (via Bloomberg)

Ukraine, Russia to continue gas price talks but no deal yet (via Reuters)

Netherlands offshore gas cache, now under shaky ground (via New York Times)

DOE says U.S. gas exports unlikely to help cut emissions (via BusinessGreen)

RENEWABLES 

India dumping duties risk choking Modi’s solar revolution (via Bloomberg)

Spain passes renewable energy reform decree (via Recharge)

Pakistan breaks ground on one of world’s largest solar parks (via Sustainable Business)

Buffett ready to double $15 billion solar, wind bet as Berkshire evolves (via Bloomberg)

NRG YieldCo makes largest wind farm in U.S. available to investors (via Sustainable Business)

Could this odd-looking wind turbine reach 80% efficiency? (via Washington Post)

Virginia governor pushes renewable energy development (via Recharge)

New program solves stranded solar meter problem for California farms (via Renewable Energy World)

ENERGY POLICY 

U.S. reaches highest energy independence in decades (via The Hill)

Moody’s: Oil and gas sector to grow through 2015 (via Houston Chronicle)

U.S. House introduces $34 billion energy and water spending bill (via The Hill)

Aubrey McClendon announces $4 billion in new oil and gas deals (via Forbes)

COAL 

China’s clean-fuel focus tests U.S. coal-export lifeline (via Bloomberg)

Australian PM Abbott seeks coal comfort in fossil-friendly “Canadia” (via Renew Economy)

EMISSIONS 

Chinese official plays down emission cut expectations (via Reuters)

U.S. states considering carbon trading schemes (via Financial Times)

Latin American nations forge ahead with CO2 reduction plans (via ClimateWire)

OIL 

World needs record Saudi oil supply as OPEC convenes (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Inaction on climate change could cost auto industry millions (via Autoblog Green)

Wireless EV charging set for massive growth by 2020 (via Autoblog Green)

Proposed EPA emissions changes would add just $7 to car prices (via CleanTechnica)

U.S. drivers’ wait for electric SUVs continues (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

German grid braces for partial solar eclipse in 2015 (via Renew Economy)

Energy storage reduces diesel use in microgrids (via Navigant Research)

Ohio utilities try end run around PJM capacity auction (via Midwest Energy News)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama: Brace for rough wildfire season out West (via The Hill)

Electronics companies form e-waste recycling coalition (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Democrats see winning issue in EPA carbon plan (via New York Times)

Inside a green billionaire’s brain trust (via National Journal)

Hillary Clinton steers clear of Keystone pipeline in new book (via National Journal)

How Mary Landrieu is escaping her Democratic shadow (via National Journal)

OPINION 

Exporting U.S. natural gas isn’t as “clean” as you think (via Washington Post)

Why Barclays’ downgrade of entire U.S. electricity sector is an upgrade for consumers (via RMI Outlet)

Fracking’s war on coal (via Energy Collective)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.30.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EPA EMISSIONS PLAN 

Obama to unveil historic plan to cut U.S. carbon pollution by up to 25% (via The Guardian)

How Obama’s power plant emission rules will work (via Washington Post)

EPA’s approach on carbon limits to spark court challenges (via Wall Street Journal)

GAO shuts down McConnell’s push to block EPA carbon regulations (via The Hill)

NRDC says Obama climate rule will save consumers $37 billion (via The Hill)

EPA may nod to nuclear in carbon rules as generators fear closures (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

China expects to launch national carbon market in 2018 (via RTCC)

CO2 monitoring could be “space-based” in the future (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil expects 3GW new wind power in auctions this year (via Recharge)

UK solar capacity passes 3GW (via RTCC)

Japan wind lobby boosts wind capacity target by half (via Bloomberg)

Iceland moves closer to power Europe with geothermal power (via Bloomberg)

UK radar fix could open up 1GW of onshore wind potential (via BusinessGreen)

Rooftop solar’s emerging markets are in middle-class neighborhoods (via Climate Progress)

Connecting the dots: How fossil-fuel interests are funding state RPS battles (via Greentech Media)

Biodiesel producers push for higher mandate (via The Hill)

Ohio freezes standards for renewable energy in landmark vote (via Bloomberg)

Solazyme opens commercial algae oil factory in Brazil (via GigaOm)

California moves closer to streamlined solar permitting (via Greentech Media)

COAL 

AEP foresees coal plant closures on Obama plan (via Bloomberg)

Testing shows slow movement of coal ash in Dan River (via Roanoke Times)

Coal ash spill upends North Carolina politics, but will substantive legislation result? (via E&E Daily)

CLIMATE 

Fishing industry is poised to lose billions due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

Markey meets Pope to make common cause on climate (via Boston Globe)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia’s energy minister says no gas payments from Ukraine (via Reuters)

Pro-fracking bill flies through North Carolina legislature (via Climate Progress)

ENVIRONMENT 

Study: Species disappearing far faster than before (via AP)

Brazil drought fuels World Cup blackout fears (via RTCC)

KEYSTONE 

TransCanada credibility dented by Keystone defects (via Forbes)

TRANSPORTATION 

California, seven other states ready for 3.3 million EVs by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

Advanced battery capacity for utility-scale storage will grow 71% per year through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Missouri utility to make up for lost time on energy efficiency (via Midwest Energy News)

POLITICS 

Republicans on climate science: Don’t ask us (via Politico)

The House Science Committee spent yesterday in a climate change denial echo chamber (via Motherboard)

Harry Reid’s attacks on Koch Brothers sends GOP donors into shadows (via Washington Post)

Big money, the Koch Brothers, and me (via Politico)

OPINION 

Obama is planning his biggest climate policy yet – and he doesn’t need Congress (via Vox)

Wonks collide as Obama climate plan prompts new ideas (via Forbes)

Evolving the conversation on climate change (via Washington Post)

Lies, damn lies, and global warming rules (via National Journal)

You down with LCOE? Maybe you, but not me (via RMI Outlet)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.28.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

World Bank: Carbon price efforts hurt by Australia, Russia policies (via Bloomberg)

Australia’s opposition leader concedes carbon, mining taxes to go (via Reuters)

South Korea releases tough CO2 caps on utilities, industry (via Reuters)

China’s Shenzen province to hold its first carbon permit auction (via Reuters)

Algeria site offers note of caution to storing carbon dioxide underground (via Christian Science Monitor)

Wind giant Texas stands tall as emissions rule change looms (via Houston Chronicle)

Cap and trade lives on through the states (via Politico)

Fossil fuel divestment spreads in Massachusetts: Three towns in ten days (via Treehugger)

RENEWABLES 

Lessons from South Africa: Mobilizing renewable energy investment (via WRI Insights)

Consumer solar sales will hit $2.4 billion by 2024 (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. seeks offshore wind investments near New York coast (via Bloomberg)

Big business buys into big wind (via Navigant Research)

How a little-used NREL tool could have saved the U.S. solar industry $6 billion (via Renewable Energy World)

Capitol One, SolarCity create $100 million investment fund (via CleanTechnica)

Barclays downgrades entire utility sector because of solar’s rise (via Sustainable Business)

Siemens plans to unveil 10MW offshore wind turbine by 2020 (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY

White House releases sweeping regulatory agenda (via Greenwire)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Russia near deal to avoid natural gas cutoff (via The Hill)

Japanese lawmakers to lobby Abe for Russian gas pipeline (via Bloomberg)

CLIMATE 

Light-colored insects surviving warming conditions in Europe (via Science World Report)

Pentagon “clear” climate change is a national security issue (via RTCC)

Yale poll: Americans much more worried about global warming than climate change (via Climate Progress)

Climate change officially now more divisive than abortion (via Climate Progress)

U.S. industry gears up to fight Obama’s climate change rules (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Las Vegas water czar warns other U.S. cities to gear up for climate change (via Inhabitat)

Florida Governor Rick Scott won’t say if he things manmade climate change is real, significant (via Miami Herald)

OIL 

Mexico’s oil production fell 25% in last decade, says EIA (via Houston Chronicle)

SEC writing new rules for foreign oil payment disclosures (via Houston Chronicle)

BP loses bid to stall oil spill payments during court appeal (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION 

Top eight automakers all reduced vehicle emissions in 2013 (via The Hill)

Men and women drive, enjoy their EVs differently (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Pipeline defects lead to new federal safety mandates on Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Koch Brothers get rolling on their first tar sands project (via Grist)

GRID 

Wall Street steps up warnings on distributed energy’s threat to utilities (via Greentech Media)

What the court decision on FERC Order 745 means for demand response (via Greentech Media)

NUCLEAR 

Power market auction results place Exelon nuclear plants in jeopardy (via Chicago Tribune)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency directive could boost energy services in Europe (via Navigant Research)

States examine energy efficiency resource standards (via Energy Manager Today)

OPINION 

Emissions markets with Chinese characteristics, or how transparency is key (via Energy Collective)

On oil and mining rules, should progressives be worried? (via National Journal)

New utility models require new understanding of customers (via Navigant Research)

How much difference can a year make? A lot, where emissions are concerned (via ClimateWire)

Four reasons why small solar installers will rise again (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.27.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

ENERGY POLICY 

Australian power prices to surge, utilities to profit if renewable target scrapped (via Bloomberg)

India PM Modi appoints banker to oversee renewables, coal, power (via Bloomberg)

Wellinghoff to utilities: Time to rethink your business model (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE 

Extreme U.S. and UK winters linked to greenhouse gases (via Bloomberg)

Over 50 trade unions launch global climate action campaign (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Russian firm studying world’s largest coal-fired plant to supply China (via Reuters)

A bogus claim electricity prices will “nearly double” because of clean coal technology (via Washington Post)

Rural North Carolina sites become coal ash dumping grounds (via News Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Danish report says 100% renewables feasible by 2050 (via Renew Economy)

China solar PV exports rise on emerging market expansions (via Renewable Energy World)

Solar farmers in Japan harvest electricity with crops (via Bloomberg)

Half of German solar jobs disappear in 2013 (via Recharge)

Australian navy to join U.S. in switch to biofuels (via Renew Economy)

U.S. to reach 20GW solar PV by end of 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Wind Production Tax Credit still up in the air (via Energy Manager Today)

U.S. hydro losing edge to wind, solar (via Recharge)

Applying the lessons of politics to green power (via New York Times)

Utah’s solar power homeowners fight proposed utility fee (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Georgia power adding wind, boosting solar (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Smoothing the flow of renewable solar energy in California’s Central Valley (via Energy.gov)

Massive California multi-family apartment complex completes solar installation (via Inhabitat)

SolarCity snaps up another partner – and more money (via SmartPlanet)

SolarCity expands to second island in Hawaii (via CleanTechnica)

Community solar coming of age in Michigan (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia-China natural gas deal fuels U.S. export push (via The Hill)

Putin says Ukraine has no right to demand natgas price discount (via Reuters)

Polish plan on EU Russian natural gas buying gains support (via Reuters)

Shakeout threatens U.S. shale patch as frackers go for broke (via Bloomberg)

Gas boom starts to hit home for residents of Southeastern Pennsylvania (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Bill introduced to speed up fracking in Illinois (via Chicago Tribune)

EMISSIONS 

Northern hemisphere hits carbon dioxide milestone in April (via Reuters)

“Time is running out” to stop rising CO2 levels, says UN (via Time)

Deep underground carbon deposits could pose global warming threat if exposed (via Raw Story/Agence France-Presse)

South Africa has Africa’s largest carbon footprint (via Africa Science News)

WRI tool shows “history of CO2 emissions” (via Environmental Leader)

OIL 

Mexican energy reform seeks to reverse oil production decline (via US EIA)

Sharp rise in West Coast oil trains, fears abound (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil boom places 3 of 5 fastest-growing U.S. cities in Texas, shows census (via AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

China to scrap over 5 million old cars in anti-pollution push (via Reuters)

100% of Dutch electric trains could run on renewable energy by 2018 (via CleanTechnica) 

Toyota, Honda, Nissan and more collaborating to increase fuel efficiency (via Autoblog)

As of today, Nissan has solar 50,000 Leafs in U.S., 115,000 globally (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canada oil will flow any way it can to U.S., says transport minister (via Reuters)

New safety requirements set for Keystone XL pipeline (via Kansas City Star)

ENVIRONMENT 

Alaska wildfire scorches an area larger than Chicago (via Los Angeles Times)

California drought: State’s flawed water system can’t track usage (via Huffington Post Green)

NUCLEAR 

U.S. plants prepare long-term nuclear waste storage facilities (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

GRID 

Brazil grid bottlenecks to ease with new transmission (via Recharge)

An almond farm and a “big-ass battery” show future of energy in California (via GigaOm)

POLITICS 

One GOP Senate candidate is backing climate change (via The Hill)

Hillary Clinton’s Keystone XL headache (via Politico)

OPINION 

Could Australia really dismantle its carbon price? (via The Guardian)

Tough emissions cuts would prove the U.S. is serious about climate change (via Washington Post)

The truth about Stanford’s coal divestment shows hurdles ahead (via New Republic)

No thanks to Congress, America has added 5,600 new clean energy jobs in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

What’s the best way to write U.S. climate rule? (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.22.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

GRID 

Utility spending on smart grid as a service will total $57.6 billion from 2014 through 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Will utilities heed the grid defection alarm? (via Energy Collective)

When will smart meters’ day come? (via EnergyWire)

Solar paired with energy storage scores a regulatory win in California (via Greentech Media)

EMISSIONS 

EPA is readying climate rule for existing power plants as deadline approaches (via Washington Post)

Obama divides power industry with emissions rule utilities accept (via Bloomberg)

States pressing EPA for energy efficiency credits in power plant regulations, says Moniz (via Greenwire)

IDIOCY 

Pat Sajak: Climate change tweet “parody” (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

China solar makers seek talks to resolve trade dispute with U.S. (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

European utility says wind now cheapest form of generation (via Renew Economy)

Biofuels for road transportation will reach $338 billion in annual revenue by 2022 (via Navigant Research)

Connecticut agency closes on $30 million PACE financing deal (via New Haven Register)

Innovative farm methane energy projects clash with Wisconsin policy (via Midwest Energy News)

COAL 

China curbs capital’s coal consumption to combat smog (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

UN climate fund agrees to rules, paving way to raise capital (via Bloomberg)

Climate change is single most divisive issue, says poll (via Huffington Post)

North Carolina wants to nominate climate deniers to study sea level rise (via Climate Progress)

How South Florida is ignoring the state’s leading politicians to take on climate change (via Climate Progress)

Pope Francis on climate change: “If we destroy creation, creation will destroy us” (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

$400 billion gas deal shows Russia looking to China to replace western money (via Forbes)

Venezuela plans first shale gas exploration project (via Reuters)

Kerry says Russia-China gas deal not linked to Ukraine (via Reuters)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Will ads run on your Nest thermostat one day? (via GigaOm)

OIL 

Write-down on two-thirds of US shale oil explodes fracking myth (via The Guardian)

Oil climbs to $104 as U.S. supplies drop sharply (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

BP lodges Supreme Court appeal to limit Gulf of Mexico oil spill settlement (via The Guardian)

TRANSPORTATION 

EU aims to put brake on truck emissions with new regulations (via BusinessGreen)

Nissan’s electric vehicle free-charging program hits speed bump (via San Francisco Chronicle)

GM has installed 401 EV charge stations at US facilities, 5,900 at dealerships (via Green Car Congress)

KEYSTONE XL 

Nebraska Supreme Court to weigh Keystone XL by October (via Politico)

ENVIRONMENT 

California drought threatens US food supply; collapsing aquifer sinking the land (via Weather Channel)

373,000 Colorado homes at high wildfire risk (via Coloradoan)

NUCLEAR 

Fukushima Daiichi begins pumping groundwater into Pacific (via The Guardian)

POLITICS 

The House Science Committee has held more hearings on aliens than climate change (via National Journal)

Steyer’s PAC targets seven races for November (via Politico)

Ohio Democratic gubernatorial candidate opposes anti-green energy bill (via Toledo Blade)

OPINION 

Crimea oil and gas will not come easy for Russia (via Christian Science Monitor)

Climate change and the American economy (via The Hill)

How green spaces could stop cities from overheating (via The Guardian)

Monterey Shale: Fracking’s great moment of derp (via CleanTechnica)

Meet me in New York, says Bill McKibben – it’s time to get arrested (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.13.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

Western Antarctic ice sheet collapse has already begun, warn scientists (via The Guardian)

Melt of key Antarctic glaciers “unstoppable,” find studies (via Climate Central)

How cities in developing countries are becoming climate resilient (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

Alabama avoids preparing for rising seas menacing Mobile (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency bill dies in U.S. Senate after feud (via Bloomberg)

RENEWABLES 

Think green jobs can’t grow? 6.5 million workers think you’re wrong. (via CleanTechnica)

UK unveils shock changes to solar farm subsidies (via BusinessGreen)

Hungry solar developers look to booming South Africa (via Navigant Research)

How the GE-Alstom combination could save the offshore wind industry (via Navigant Research)

Renewables surged to 74% of German demand last Sunday (via Renew Economy)

Can the Texas solar market live up to its potential? (via Greentech Media)

The high cost of the solar middleman (via Grist)

Why solar net metering beats a value-of-solar tariff every time (via Grist)

EMISSIONS 

Banning HFCs from 2020 could make big climate impact, says study (via RTCC)

Guandong carbon market sparks China green-vs-growth dispute (via Reuters)

Draft letter from EPA advisors urges tougher ozone standard (via Greenwire)

OIL 

New projections show oil production soaring as rigs boost efficiency (via Houston Chronicle)

Spills at drilling sites up 18% across U.S. in 2013 (via EnergyWire)

House panel seeks briefing on DOE’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

China promotes fuel efficiency and alternative-fuel vehicles to curb growing oil use (via US EIA)

Will Tesla Gigafactory fight come down to Texas v. California? (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

EV charging station startup ChargePoint raises $22.6 million (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia repeats Ukraine natural gas cutoff threat by June 2 (via Reuters)

Chile green tax on coal increases cheap shale gas gamble (via Bloomberg)

EPA regulations probably won’t tell us everything in fracking fluid (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

Microgrid energy storage systems to reach nearly $4.2 billion in market value by 2024 (via Navigant Research)

Why the power grid will remain reliable without coal plants (via GreenBiz)

Testing ground for new energy storage in New York State (via Greentech Media)

California heat pushes power to six-year seasonal high (via Bloomberg)

UTILITIES 

Six electric utilities charging a new energy course (via GreenBiz)

Why coal-dependent utilities shouldn’t be so scared of carbon regulations (via Greentech Media)

New York State prodding utilities to shift from monopoly model (via Bloomberg)

ENVIRONMENT 

Acid rain’s dirty legacy (via FiveThirtyEight)

Southwest struggles to adapt to year-round fire season (via ClimateWire)

EPA unearths $3.6 million for green jobs in brownfields (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

U.S. Senate Republicans block energy efficiency bill, forfeit Keystone vote (via Reuters)

Why Democrats are afraid of a man who’s giving them millions (via National Journal)

A Senate race about…climate change! (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

America versus China: The new reality of global energy (via Energy Collective)

This is what a holy shit moment for global warming looks like (via Mother Jones)

Why society is failing to stop global warming in one 90-second video (via Washington Post)

Americans’ aversion to science carries a high price (via Washington Post)

Marco Rubio makes a wrong turn on climate change (via Washington Post)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.12.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

EMISSIONS 

Obama administration limits on soot pollution upheld by appeals court (via Los Angeles Times)

Deval Patrick calls for “future free of fossil fuels,” zero coal in four years (via Climate Progress)

Stanford divesting coal helps students seeking domino effect (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

Merkel says Germany would support Siemens-Alstom merger (via Reuters)

Obama doubles down on solar, energy efficiency in climate push (via The Hill)

US failed to inspect thousands of at-risk oil and gas wells, finds report (via The Guardian)

House votes to make energy research tax credit permanent (via ABC News/AP)

RENEWABLES 

Global renewable energy jobs count tops 6.5 million (via BusinessGreen)

UBS: Solar could be 10% global capacity by 2020 (via Renew Economy)

Germany approves 328MW of offshore wind (via Recharge)

Chile approves 110MW solar-thermal plant (via Recharge)

Renewables provide record 27% of German electricity demand (via Bloomberg)

Mexico’s newly opened energy market attracts renewables (via Renewable Energy World)

More solar energy powering corporate America (via USA Today)

Wal-Mart doubles down on solar energy plans (via Wall Street Journal)

SolarCity surges on higher rooftop installation forecast (via Bloomberg)

US hopes to tap offshore wind potential (via Houston Chronicle)

ABB rolls out new grid interconnection technology for wind farms (via Renew Grid)

Solar seen bailing California out of summer hydro shortage (via Bloomberg)

Ohio senate votes to kill state’s renewable energy standard (via Climate Progress)

Hawaii confronts green energy’s bugaboo: Batteries (via Christian Science Monitor)

The only active landfill in Vermont goes solar (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

China’s coal dependency threatens efforts to curb warming (via New York Times)

Coal investments a bad bet for state pensions (via Times-Union)

After coal ash spill, Dan is a river of calm and caution (via Winston-Salem Journal)

CLIMATE 

Lloyd’s of London urges insurers to factor in climate change risk (via Environmental Leader)

Obama continues to push unilateral action to fight climate change (via National Journal)

As population surges, harsh Southwest climate will only get harsher (via Climate Progress)

South Carolina’s solution to sea level rise: Build more walls (via Climate Progress)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Senate standoff threatens to kill energy efficiency bill (via The Hill)

Energy bill fizzles as Senate begins debate on tax extenders (via National Journal)

Better Buildings Challenge partners reduce energy use 2.5% (via Energy Manager Today)

PACE is picking up for Michigan efficiency program (via Midwest Energy News)

Philips continues lighting revolution, tweaks LEDs for hydroponic growing (via GigaOm)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Russia ratchets up Ukraine’s gas bills in shift to economic battlefield (via New York Times)

Cleanest fossil fuel is Wall Street’s bet on climate change (via Bloomberg)

EPA weighs rule requiring fracking chemical disclosure (via The Hill)

Hundreds of small quakes in North Texas since December (via StateImpact Texas)

EMISSIONS 

IEA: Decarbonizing world economy will save $71 trillion by 2050 (via RTCC)

Few funds ready to follow Stanford’s lead on fossil fuel stocks (via Reuters) 

OIL 

Oil industry risks $1.1 trillion of investor cash (via Bloomberg)

Saudi Arabia, OPEC said will cover any Ukraine-related oil shortage (via Reuters)

BNSF says federal order won’t affect railroad oil shipments (via Bismarck Tribune)

TRANSPORTATION 

US buyers show little interest in big hybrids (via Autoblog Green)

RMI: What’s the true cost of EV charging stations? (via GreenBiz)

Texas will soon offer $2,500 rebate for EVs, PHEVs, and more (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama: Palm oil is destroying Malaysia’s rainforests (via Mongabay)

Summer blockbuster? El Nino looking more likely (via Climate Central)

California drought: Parched state braces for fire season (via San Francisco Chronicle)

KEYSTONE XL 

How the Senate’s Keystone XL vote came crumbling down (via EcoWatch)

Keystone XL foes vow to fight South Dakota permit renewal (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Australian households could go off-grid by 2018 (via Renew Economy)

USDA awards $540 million for electric system upgrades, including $35 million for smart grid (via Renew Grid)

Clean Line wins key FERC approval (via Recharge)

POLITICS 

Rubio on a presidential bid, and climate change (via New York Times)

Colorado – energy’s continental divide (via Politico)

OPINION 

How to phase out incentives and grow solar energy (via Renewable Energy World)

Climate debate isn’t so heated in the US (via New York Times)

Obama’s energy announcements are nice, but we’ll need much more (via Time)

Can Congress ever have a reasonable energy debate? (via National Journal)

Texas is American energy leader – so how can its electricity markets be such a mess? (via Energy Trends Insider)

Obama’s new energy efficiency standards will lead to big electricity, consumer, carbon savings (via NRDC Switchboard)

Obama’s solar move is equivalent to a year without 80 million cars (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.29.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

The year climate change closed Everest (via The Atlantic)

EPA chief returns fire in war over science (via National Journal)

Will global warming produce more tornadoes? (via Mother Jones)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuel subsidies costing global economy $2 trillion, says IMF (via Renew Economy)

Russia and Iran reported in talks on energy deal worth billions (via New York Times)

Congress returns to tackle efficiency, tax credits, water law, appropriations (via E&E Daily)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil may have 2GW PV by 2019 (via Recharge)

Japan’s 25-year plan to get solar power from space (via SmartPlanet)

UK solar market to lead Europe in 2014 (via BusinessGreen)

GE invests $24 million in Welspun’s India solar plant (via Bloomberg)

UK public backs renewables over fracking, shows survey (via RTCC)

Renewable electricity generation projections sensitive to cost, price, policy assumptions (via US EIA)

Why wave power has lagged far behind as an energy source (via Yale e360)

Can a DOE competition jump-start wind power in America’s vast offshore? (via ClimateWire)

Solar Wind wins approval for $1.5 billion power tower in Arizona (via Bloomberg)

SEPA names top 10 US utilities for new solar (via Energy Manager Today)

PG&E tops solar PV charts for US utilities (via Recharge)

Solar industry is a top donor in Georgia PSC elections (via EnergyWire)

NATURAL GAS 

Squeezed from many sides, Gazprom looks for advantage in Ukraine crisis (via EnergyWire)

Slovakia signs deal to deliver gas to Ukraine (via Houston Chronicle)

Ukraine to start natural gas import talks with Hungary (via Reuters)

FERC approval could become “regulatory black hole” for some proposed LNG export projects (via Energy Collective)

EMISSIONS 

Fossil fuel divestment gaining traction (via SustainableBusiness)

Lobbying surprisingly strong on “pipe dream” carbon tax bill (via Bloomberg)

State legislators take preemptive aim at EPA power plant rules (via Midwest Energy News)

How commercial buildings can curb emissions (via Environmental Leader)

App shows carbon footprint based on your purchases (via Treehugger)

COAL 

Coal company unlawfully polluted West Virginia water, rules federal judge (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

DOE issues guidance on electric grid cyber security (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Democrats weigh Keystone XL vote options (via Politico)

Keystone XL protesters mark final roundup – for now (via Politico)

NUCLEAR 

Floating nuclear power plant could resist meltdowns (via SmartPlanet)

OIL

North Dakota pipeline spill cleanup to top $11 million (via WDAY-ABC)

Why is the oil industry giving millions to the NRA? (via Climate Progress)

Fire chiefs play “catch-up as hazmat shipments rise with energy boom (via EnergyWire)

TRANSPORTATION 

What’s the greenest car? A short guide to vehicle emissions (via Renew Economy)

Cutting-edge transportation maps will change how we plan cities (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

They’re not sure what “climate finance” is but say we need a ton of it (via Bloomberg)

What does today owe tomorrow? (via New York Times)

Three solar integration questions utility executives must confront (via Greentech Media)

How solar energy cuts electric grid costs (via Grist)

10 questions to ask about electricity tariffs (via WRI Insights)

10 questions that shine a light on electricity prices (via WRI Insights)

Did New York State just start an energy revolution? (via Forbes)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.28.14

A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.

CLIMATE 

US and China lift climate change hopes with new phase of talks (via Financial Times)

Mount Everest is shrinking due to climate change (via Climate Progress)

El Nino risk increases as Pacific Ocean gets warmer (via Bloomberg)

Western US faces bigger, more frequent wildfires (via Climate Central)

US mayors leading the way on emission cuts & climate resilience (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Gazprom says it won’t halt gas flows to Europe over Ukraine price row (via Wall Street Journal)

Local governments fail to account for $17 million in natural gas impact fees (via StateImpact Pennsylvania)

How long can the fracking revolution last? (via RTCC)

RENEWABLES 

Experimental efforts to harvest the ocean’s power face cost setbacks (via New York Times)

Chart: Wind dominates the 37GW of US power under construction (via Greentech Media)

Google’s green energy plan: Build, learn, and expand (via Christian Science Monitor)

Fear and loathing at the CPUC: California debates the future of solar (via Greentech Media)

6MW floating vertical-axis wind turbine unveiled (via Recharge)

ENERGY POLICY 

French energy minister promises 100,000 green jobs (via Reuters)

US electricity prices may be going up for good (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

China wants more Latin American oil, president to visit in July (via Reuters)

US regulators to propose enhanced oil tank car standards (via Reuters)

Oil industry starts fracking in Nevada (via Elko Daily Free Press)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla unveils plans for solar-powered EV charging network in China (via Renew Economy)

EPA says automakers ahead of schedule for 54.5 MPG by 2025 (via Autoblog Green)

EV buyers are younger, more affluent than hybrid shoppers (via Autoblog Green)

California Air Resources Board adds another $25 million to expand clean vehicle rebate program (via Green Car Congress)

COAL 

Asian coal miners pursuing self-defeating output gains (via Reuters)

Kitzhaber says “no” to coal export plans in Oregon (via The Daily News)

Montana coal mine falls years behind original permitting schedule (via Missoulian)

EMISSIONS 

Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2012, led by US (via Reuters)

Scotland enlists universities in low-carbon push (via BusinessGreen)

Fossil fuels face $30 trillion in losses from climate, renewables (via Renew Economy)

Soils release far more CO2 tan previously thought as emissions rise (via Yale e360)

Changes to agriculture practices could slash emissions up to 90% (via Environmental Leader)

Projected CO2 emissions vary with coal and nuclear power plant retirements (via US EIA)

California cuts part of its greenhouse gas emissions by exporting them (via ClimateWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone XL moving forward…in Canada’s eyes (via Christian Science Monitor)

Canada still betting the US will approve Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Cowboys, Indians, and Neil Young voice opposition to Keystone XL (via United Press International)

Steyer challenges Kochs to Keystone XL debate (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

More LED installations than fluorescents expected this year for first time (via Energy Manager Today)

In user test, Next thermostat and its smart competitors disappoint (via EnergyWIre)

ENVIRONMENT 

Worsening US drought pushes wheat price higher (via Wall Street Journal)

California drought: Jobs, money dry up in farm towns (via San Francisco Chronicle)

California drought declaration is so bad the state is rolling back some environmental protections (via Huffington Post/Reuters)

Extreme tornado swings: What holds the key? (via Climate Central)

POLITICS 

GOP Rep. Grimm’s woes cast cloud on climate turnabout (via Politico)

OPINION 

How US-China cooperation can expand clean energy development (via WRI Insights)

Climate-proofing the poorest cities is currently impossible (via Sustainable Cities Collective)

A battle is looming over renewable energy, and fossil fuel interests are losing (via Washington Post)

The rise and fall of America’s climate deniers: How politics hijacked the fight against global warming (via Salon)

Keystone weirdonomics mean gas prices won’t be getting any cheaper (via Bloomberg)

It’s easy being green. Being fossil fuel free is harder (via Forbes)

Dear Texas: Enjoy the oil boom, just don’t blow it this time (via Forbes)

2C in our rear-view mirror, geoengineering dead ahead (via Energy Collective)