Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.7.13

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

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US shale revolution hinges on exports, say executives (via Houston Chronicle)

Railway says fuel savings inspired LNG test (via Houston Chronicle)

Enbridge CEO interested in providing natural gas for trains (via Houston Chronicle)

New York State Assembly votes to block fracking until 2015 (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Clean energy, transportation posed to create 110,000 jobs (via Sustainable Business)

Wal-Mart beats 20% emissions reduction goal a year early (via BusinessGreen)

COAL 

Weak global coal market threatens low-margin mines (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Japan’s wind industry headed for boom after solar surge (via Bloomberg)

Green investing update (via AOL Energy)

Despite major growth, SolarCity shares drop on Q4 loss (via GigaOm)

Wind energy lessons from Illinois: Q&A with AWEA’s Rob Gramlich (via Midwest Energy News)

SMUD launches pilot to study the grid impacts of solar (via Renew Grid)

Clean energy coalition ups ante on renewable energy in Minnesota (via Pioneer Press)

Minnesota lawmakers consider rate-based solar power incentives (via Star-Tribune)

ENERGY POLICY 

Fossil fuels still fastest-growing global energy source (via Energy Manager Today)

Dearth of skilled workers imperils $100 billion in US projects (via Bloomberg)

US oil and gas boom takes many by surprise (via NBC News)

California CEOs say current energy policies helpful but too complicated (via Renew Grid)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Top 1% of US homes consume 4 times more electricity than average (via Outlier)

Energy efficiency cut 107TWh of US electricity demand in 2011 (via CleanTechnica)

The industrial sector: low-hanging fruit for demand response? (via Renew Grid)

Chicago buildings aggregate energy data to participate in better demand response (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian official: Keystone rejection wouldn’t harm US-Canada relationship (via The Hill)

Four factors that could turn Keystone’s fate (via Politico)

Canada pitches oil sands crude as greener choice for US (via Houston Chronicle)

Keystone XL critics now hang hopes on delaying the pipeline (via Reuters)

GRID 

EEI expects $15 billion in transmission investment this year (via Renew Grid)

US smart meter market is far from saturated (via Greentech Media)

Heating and cooling no longer majority of US home energy use (via US EIA)

CLIMATE 

Misunderstanding seal-level rise and climate impacts (via Science Blogs)

How climate change worsened violence in Syria (via Mother Jones)

EPA, DOE can tackle climate change on several fronts (via Washington Post)

Climate change turns an already troubled ski industry on its head (via High Country News)

Washington governor, senators disagree on terms of climate-change bill (via Seattle Times)

OIL 

Saudi Aramco committed to US oil exports, says CEO (via Bloomberg)

German oil executive: country’s clean energy dream now a “nightmare” (via Houston Chronicle)

Texas oil production may hit record by 2020, says state regulator (via Bloomberg)

BP CEO: no retreat from Gulf of Mexico despite spill (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION 

EV efficiency should be ranked on miles/KWh, not MPGe (via Green Car Reports)

FedEx Express fleet beats 20% fuel economy improvement goal, sets new target of 30% improvement by 2020 compared to 2005 (via Green Car Congress)

GM targets lower car weight, long-range EVs (via Reuters)

ENVIRONMENT 

Bangladesh, India, China at “high-risk” from natural disasters (via RTCC)

UK consumer consumption footprint more than 1½ times its land area (via BusinessGreen)

Endangered or not, species at least no longer waiting (via New York Times)

House votes to increase weather satellite funding (via Climate Central)

Texas shields free-market habitat program from federal scrutiny (via Greenwire)

NUCLEAR 

Feds look to ship Washington radioactive waste to New Mexico (via Post-Intelligencer)

Hanford nuclear leak: budget cuts threaten cleanup efforts (via Politico/AP)

POLITICS 

Harry Reid: the closet environmentalist (via National Journal)

Obama pick for Interior Department faces hearing; agency under fire (via Reuters)

Interior nominee Jewell championed outdoor jobs over oil (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Why food riots are likely to become the new normal (via The Guardian)

Better Place was supposed to revolutionize electric cars – what went wrong? (via Washington Post)

BP CEO: “peak oil” talk quieted by abundance (via The Hill)

Are environmentalists wrong about Keystone XL? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.5.13

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

OIL 

China ousts US as world’s main oil importer (via Mining.com)

US crude exports spur shale oil refineries (via Bloomberg)

Transocean chief disappointed with Gulf oil spill insurance ruling (via Houston Chronicle)

Non-jury trial may favor BP in Gulf oil spill case (via Alabama.com)

GRID 

Smart grid technology market will total $494 billion by 2020 (via Pike Research)

US transmission investment will peak at $14 billion in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

How much renewable energy can the grid handle? (via Greentech Media)

Wholesale power: bankruptcies and lessons (via Christian Science Monitor)

RENEWABLES 

EU to register Chinese solar panels, highlighting tariff threat (via Bloomberg)

Fast-tracking patent applications bolsters green tech market (via BusinessGreen)

Solar makers turn laser-like focus on boosting solar cell efficiency (via GigaOm)

US wind industry is still clinging onto tax credit (via Politico)

US inching closer to offshore wind (via United Press International)

MIT team outlines path to low-cost solar-to-storable fuels devices (via Green Car Congress)

Now on Kickstarter: a new kind of spinning energy storage device (via GigaOm)

Buffet’s renewables investment MidAmerican Energy a top portfolio company in 2012 (via SNL Energy)

California’s solar PV rebates nearly over: is this good news? (via Renewable Energy World)

University of Maine starts $1.5 million geothermal heating project (via Portland Press Herald)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Environmental activists reeling as Keystone pipeline gains momentum (via The Hill)

Arguments over climate impacts rage in wake of State Department report (via Greenwire)

Enviros seize on State’s pipeline alternatives (via EnergyWire)

Eight figures that will define Keystone XL fight over the next 45 days (via National Journal)

Enbridge declines to pay for new studies on Michigan oil spill damage (via Detroit Free Press)

TransCanada shares rise on Keystone environmental report (via Reuters)

GREEN BUILDING/ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

UK launches green building hub for construction industry (via BusinessGreen)

Ireland launches energy efficiency fund (via Energy Collective)

St. Louis seeks to be model energy efficient city (via EarthTechling)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shale boom forces Kremlin to focus on Arctic (via Moscow Times)

Chemical industry surging on US natural gas (via Houston Chronicle)

Fracking goes to the Texas legislature (via StateImpact Texas)

CLIMATE 

Splits emerging in UN climate deal agreed in Doha (via RTCC)

Report blames climate change for extreme weather in Australia (via New York Times)

Spring may arrive five weeks earlier by 2100, study finds (via Climate Central)

Warmer climate to open new Arctic shipping routes by 2050 (via Reuters)

Global warming affects crop yields, but it's the water not the heat (via Phys.org)

Two-thirds of Americans now believe global warming is real (via Phys.org)

The coming climate exodus: what we’re doing to help wildlife’s new migration (via Yes! Magazine)

NUCLEAR 

Global nuclear capacity rises in 2012 after post-Fukushima drop (via Reuters)

Restart of Japanese nuclear reactors unlikely this year (via United Press International)

Areva plans first nuclear fuel shipment to Japan since Fukushima (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

2013 electric cars: rated range for each model, ultimate guide (via Green Car Reports)

Shell to push natural gas for trains, vehicles (via Houston Chronicle)

Zipcar says 72% of young Americans don’t care about owning a car (via Green Car Reports)

Tesla Motors delays filing of annual report (via San Jose Mercury News)

EMISSIONS 

Little unity over California’s cap-and-trade program (via Reuters)

Shell forecasts near-zero global emissions by 2100 (via Environmental Leader)

POLITICS 

Obama nominates Moniz as DOE chief, McCarthy as EPA head (via Platts)

Obama’s second-term cabinet to play bigger policy role (via Washington Post)

From “green dream team” to B team (via Politico)

McCarthy’s Republican history should smooth path to EPA (via Reuters)

Is fracking a bride to a clean-energy future? Ernest Moniz thinks so (via Washington Post)

Gina McCarthy for EPA could be Obama’s most significant nominee (via Washington Post)

America’s oil and gas billionaires (via Forbes)

Can climate-change denier Ken Cuccinelli win a swing state? (via National Journal)

OPINION 

China keeps making new green pledges (via Grist)

Climate change: the scary hidden stressor (via New York Times)

Arctic ice melt will bring frosty relations as nations navigate across North Pole (via The Independent)

Cabinet picks could take on climate policy (via New York Times)

Do Obama’s cabinet picks match his greener second-term talk? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Does Keystone XL report let Obama off the hook on climate pledge? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Tesla charging situation would benefit from more flexibility, less confrontation (via Autoblog Green)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.4.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

China atop renewable energy ranks as shale gas changes the game (via CleanTechnica)

Analyst says US renewable energy policy superior to Europe’s (via Renew Grid)

The rising energy policy power of America’s tribes (via Recharge)

Obama to tap McCarthy to lead EPA, Moniz for Energy secretary (via The Hill)

Natural gas challenges coal as king of the energy hill in Ohio (via Los Angeles Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Japan to build LNG terminal for US shale gas imports (via Pakistan Business Recorder)

New research says natural gas boom still has a few decades left in it (via StateImpact Texas)

Pennsylvania fracking health study will decide New York, shape policy around US (via Facts of the Day)

Bakken Shale’s top producer wants to snuff out natural gas flaring (via Midwest Energy News/EnergyWire)

Natural gas leaks come under scrutiny, raise questions on climate impact (via Washington Post)

A snapshot of drilling on a national park’s margins (via New York Times)

RENEWABLES 

Solar stunner: unsubsidized “grid parity has been reached in India” and Italy, with more countries coming in 2014 (via Climate Progress)

Green investors take fright at German bid to cap power prices (via Reuters)

Ontario grid to see significant boost in renewable energy integration (via Renew Grid)

Three percent of US electricity could come from river hydropower (via CleanTechnica)

California city wants to require solar on every home (via Greentech Media)

Solar struggles to shine in deregulated Texas electricity market (via StateImpact Texas)

Minnesota’s Goodhue wind project faces blowback (via Finance & Commerce)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

State Dept: denying Keystone XL would not slow oil sands development (via Forbes)

Railroads emerge as alternative to pipeline for moving Canada’s oil sands (via Washington Post)

Keystone XL pipeline report slammed by activists and scientists (via The Guardian)

New Obama Administration report on Keystone XL pipeline has enviros worried (via Mother Jones)

CLIMATE 

China carbon tax may spur US climate debate (via Bloomberg)

Australian climate on “steroids” after hottest summer (via Phys.org)

UK businesses urged to prepare for more extreme weather (via BusinessGreen)

Climate change science poised to enter nation’s classrooms (via InsideClimate News)

How NASA scientists are turning LA into one big climate-change lab (via Atlantic Cities)

ENVIRONMENT 

Critic of unbridled growth tipped as new China environmental minister (via Reuters)

Asian and African dust influences western US rain and snowfall – study (via ClimateWire)

Chemical spill in China underlines environmental concerns (via New York Times)

Court ruling keeps polar bear as threatened species (via The Hill)

EPA funding reductions have kneecapped environmental enforcement (via National Journal)

OIL 

Standard & Poors warns oil firms could soon face credit downgrades (via BusinessGreen)

Transocean, Halliburton say their Gulf spill tabs should be BP’s burden (via Houston Chronicle)

BP wins appeal on Gulf oil spill insurance claim (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Honda to reuse rare earths from old batteries for new hybrid vehicle batteries (via Green Car Congress)

Automakers work to achieve zero-waste goals (via New York Times)

The part of Amtrak that people use makes money – the rest doesn’t (via Slate)

Oregon proposes 1.5-cent-per-mile tax for EVs, 55+ mpg cars (via Autoblog Green)

GRID 

How ARPA-E is working to create the 21st century smart grid (via Greentech Media)

Will drones soon help utilities repair the grid? (via Renew Grid)

Texas electric supply will be “very tight,” says grid operator (via Houston Chronicle)

NUCLEAR 

Report casts doubt on Britain’s nuclear electricity strategy (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Green building movement takes hold worldwide (via Sustainable Business)

US homes show greatest seasonal variation in electricity use (via US EIA)

Nearly 30 percent of US homes have ditched incandescent light bulbs (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

McCarthy: seasoned regulator primed for climate fight (via Politico)

Gov. Jerry Brown works to spread California’s green doctrine (via Los Angeles Times)

ARPA-E director worries the agency could “get lost” in fiscal talks (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Coal is history, or is it? (via Forbes)

What’s on the chopping block in energy and environment policy? (via National Journal)

Stop comparing early hybrid sales to early EV sales (via Plugin Cars)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.1.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

US energy intensity projected to continue steady decline through 2040 (via US EIA)

Bipartisan group says US energy policy “like an orchestra without a conductor” (via Midwest Energy News)

Green jobs survey dies as US readies sequestration cuts (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Global utility smart grid spending almost doubles in 2012 (via Renew Grid)

Industrial demand response peak load payments to hit $4.3 billion by 2019 (via Energy Manager Today)

44% of US broadband households willing to let utilities monitor appliances (via Renew Grid)

27 microgrid projects advance in Connecticut (via New Haven Register)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian government hopes US will do “right thing” on Keystone (via Houston Chronicle)

Canada minister doesn’t expect US to veto Keystone pipeline (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Brazil said to be readying tax breaks for ethanol (via Bloomberg)

European offshore wind “faces €50 billion funding gap” (via Recharge)

India’s wind power generation-based incentive set to resume (via Recharge)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.28.13

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

CLIMATE 

EU climate chief to huddle with White House, State officials (via The Hill)

China’s rising sea levels threaten economic interests (via Hindu Business Line)

Pakistan government launches national climate change policy (via Pakistan Daily Times)

US generals warn of climate change dangers (via RTCC)

Nebraska lawmakers warm to climate change study (via Omaha World-Herald)

COAL 

Germany to add most coal-fired plants in two decades, IWR says (via Bloomberg)

UK coal use up 32.5% in 2012 (via RTCC)

Nine reasons China won’t need enough coal to justify Pacific Northwest exports (via Grist)

RENEWABLES 

Crystal ball: China will not produce more wind energy than the US before 2020 (via Green Leap Forward)

India tops 1GW new solar capacity (via BusinessGreen)

Germany’s clean energy supporters sound alarm over subsidy cuts (via The National)

Analysts warn markets biased against clean energy (via GreenBiz)

(more…)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.21.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

High-capacity chargers target Europe’s luxury market (via Pike Research)

Estonia installs “world’s first” nationwide fast-charging network (via BusinessGreen)

Lithium-ion battery gives IBM hope of power without fires (via Bloomberg)

EPA sets renewable fuel standard, tackles fraud (via The Hill)

Tesla expects to turn its first profit in the first quarter of 2013 (via GigaOm)

2013 Nissan Leaf: 75-mile range “anticipated in new EPA test (via Green Car Reports)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

Report: oil sands dependence could hurt Canada’s economy (via Canadian Press)

Canadian crude rolling into Gulf Coast refineries (via Houston Chronicle)

Supporters of Keystone XL outspend opponents 35 to 1 (via Climate Progress)

ALEC pushes Keystone pipeline approval through six states (via Sustainable Business)

RENEWABLES 

EU to register Chinese solar panels in move toward duties (via Reuters)

Ontario might get a 400MW pumped storage station five times the height of Niagara Falls (via TreeHugger)

Mexico just scratching the surface of solar demand (via Renewable Energy World)

Iceland looks to export geothermal power (via New York Times)

Nine amazing teenagers innovating in cleantech (via Treehugger)

Renewables increase US electricity market share 44% from 2007 to 2012 (via Facts of the Day)

Michigan sees surge in wind power, thanks to renewable portfolio standard (via Renew Grid)

Oversupply and uncertainty for Massachusetts SREC market in 2013 (via Greentech Media)

Offshore wind production bill gets preliminary approval in Maryland House (via Washington Post/AP)

Minnesota bill introduced seeking 10% solar energy standard (via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

PACE funding in Florida gets $500 million boost (via CleanTechnica)

Work begins on new 400MW Texas solar PV plant (via Recharge)

How a city can get more clean, local energy (via CleanTechnica)

OIL/GASOLINE 

US oil production will soar in 2013 – can it last? (via Christian Science Monitor)

AAA reports largest increase in gasoline prices in three years (via The Hill)

BP civil settlement remains elusive as trial nears (via Shreveport Times/AP)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Germany, UK offer contrasting visions for electricity (via Reuters)

Energy to help Texas economy outpace nation’s (via Houston Chronicle)

Enron-era ruling signals $1.6 billion California consumer refunds (via Bloomberg)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Merkel leaves door open to fracking as shale gains appeal (via Bloomberg)

Marcellus production rises again in Pennsylvania (via Pittsburgh Business Times)

Chesapeake probe finds no “intentional” CEO misconduct (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Filipino super-typhoon an ominous warning of climate change impact (via The Guardian)

If you don’t believe in climate change, talk to a clam digger (via Grist)

Activist investors put climate change issue up for vote at PNC Bank (via Los Angeles Times)

Bill would require Kansas teachers to question climate science (via InsideClimate News)

ENVIRONMENT 

After China’s multibillion-dollar cleanup, water still unfit to drink (via Reuters)

Explained in 90 seconds: permafrost (via Mother Jones)

Biofuel rush wiping out America’s grasslands at fastest pace since 1930’s (via Washington Post)

EMISSIONS 

Another study names oil and gas drilling as ozone culprit (via Climate Progress)

RGGI changes help both the environment and business (via C2ES)

GRID 

PSE&G proposes $4 billion for grid resiliency in New Jersey (via Greentech Media)

EnerNOC adapting demand response for “big data” applications (via Greentech Media)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Efficiency is a more important economic driver than energy supply (via Greentech Media)

University at Albany SUNY saves $704,000 per year with energy efficiency upgrades (via Environmental Leader)

COAL 

Oregon governor questions wisdom of headlong coal-export push (via Grist)

West Virginia, US Mine Safety and Health Administration seek greater focus on coal mining safety (via Charleston Gazette)

NUCLEAR 

Deal advances development of a smaller nuclear reactor (via New York Times)

POLITICS 

Obama settles on EPA, DOE nominees (via Reuters)

Climate change and the Obama Administration (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Kerry comes out swinging on climate change (via The Hill)

Moniz: shale gas boom a low-carbon solution – for now (via InsideClimate News)

Senate Democrat touts support for Keystone XL (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

EU and China stumble toward solar trade war (via Reuters)

How the looming food and energy crises are intertwined (via Good)

Tesla’s explosive revenue suggests a bright future (via MIT Technology Review)

Low emissions are no justification for Kansas scaling back renewables (via The Guardian)

Cheap ways you can get green power (via EarthTechling)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.20.13

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

EMISSIONS 

China to introduce carbon tax, says official (via Xinhua)

Carbon price plunges 20 percent after EU backloading vote (via BusinessGreen)

Businesses line up to back UK decarbonization target (via BusinessGreen)

Landmark carbon assessment developed for Australia (via Phys.org)

TAR SANDS/KEYSTONE XL 

TransCanada says Keystone XL won’t affect climate (via Houston Chronicle)

Re-defining “energy independence” in the Keystone era (via Huffington Post)

NATURAL GAS 

Japanese prime minister to ask Obama to approve shale gas exports (via Bloomberg)

Specialists working to kill Apache natural gas well in Gulf of Mexico (via Houston Chronicle)

RENEWABLES 

EU tariffs on Chinese solar goods could cost UK €3.5 billion (via BusinessGreen)

What the global renewables industry might look like in 2050 (via Greentech Media)

Big banks, Big Oil pile into Japan’s burgeoning solar market (via Sustainable Business)

Wind blows German power swings to five-year high (via Bloomberg)

German solar PV prices fall to €1.52 per watt in January (via CleanTechnica)

1MW solar system shapes Brazil’s World Cup stadium (via BusinessGreen)

US ethanol groups decry EU tariff as “blatant protectionism” (via Reuters)

100% of electric capacity added in US last month was renewable (via Grist)

Are direct-drive turbines the future of wind energy? (via EarthTechling)

Sewage status grows as resource for methane generation (via Bloomberg)

Sleeping geothermal giant stirs (via Pike Research)

LA’s solar feed-in tariff attracts strong interest during first week (via Renew Grid)

Bill proposed to increase Pennsylvania renewable portfolio standard (via Renew Grid)

GRID 

Texas and Inner Mongolia need transmission to integrate wind (via Greentech Media)

German town goes off the grid, achieves energy independence (via TreeHugger)

Energy storage in commercial buildings to reach “$7.5 billion in 2022” (via Energy Manager Today)

USDA awards $330 more for transmission upgrades and smart grid tech (via Renew Grid)

Cal-ISO and PacifiCorp agreement paves way for lower-cost solar integration (via Renewable Energy World)

NREL eyes intersection of EVs, green power and the grid (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

US judge approves Transocean civil spill settlement (via Reuters)

BP challenges “excessive” spill claims (via The Hill)

Battle lines drawn for BP’s day in court (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

Chinese companies slowly collecting discounted US electric car assets (via GigaOm)

UK to accelerate EVs with €37 million charging fund (via BusinessGreen)

Home solar systems to be an option for Honda customers (via New York Times)

New lithium-ion battery tech could appear in next few years (via Green Car Reports)

US gas prices are on a mysterious climb (via Washington Post)

All eyes on Tesla as it inches toward profitability in 2013 (via GigaOm)

$20 million DOE funding targets $30,000 EV with 240 miles of range (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

Jurassic records warn of risk to marine life from global warming (via Phys.org)

COAL 

Research finds additional harm from coal dust exposure (via Midwest Energy News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Daylighting in New York City could save 160 megawatts (via Greentech Media)

POLITICS 

Top EPA official used personal email address (via The Hill)

OPINION 

The virtues of being unreasonable on Keystone (via Grist)

Joe Nocera’s wrong: a carbon tax wouldn’t help Canada’s tar sands (via Washington Post)

EU emissions trade is sputtering (via New York Times)

Musk-New York Times debate highlights electric car shortcomings (via MIT Technology Review)

Is free charging for EVs actually a long-term hindrance? (via Autoblog Green)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.13.13

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

STATE OF THE UNION 

Obama gives Congress a climate change ultimatum (via Reuters)

Obama vows executive action climate push but many specifics remain absent (via The Hill)

Obama floats “Energy Security Trust” in State of the Union (via The Hill)

Obama calls for doubling US energy efficiency by 2030 (via Greentech Media)

Obama talks tough on climate, proposes “drilling for clean energy” program (via Houston Chronicle)

Obama promises cap-and-trade action (via Washington Post)

Obama cites storms, drought to build case for climate action (via National Journal)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s electricity emissions fall to 10-year low as coal sidelined by renewables (via Renew Economy)

EU aviation carbon emissions to decline in 2013 (via Bloomberg)

North American carbon markets to “more than double” this year (via Environmental Leader)

On-ship carbon capture concept developed, could reduce ship emissions up to 65% (via Green Car Congress)

RENEWABLES 

Three charts to help you understand Chile’s emerging utility-scale solar market (via Greentech Media)

Tea party targets renewable energy standard in Kansas (via Grist)

New York State solar market shows significant promise for 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

Maine leads trend toward floating offshore wind turbines (via Sustainable Business)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

US Senate Energy Committee mulls future of natural gas policy (via Reuters)

Beyond the boom, unanswered questions about the life of new natural gas wells (via EnergyWire)

New York State puts off fracking decision (via New York Times)

New York State may issue fracking permits without final regulations (via Bloomberg)

GRID 

Germany may implement energy storage incentive (via CleanTechnica)

Data centers morphing into virtual power plants (via Pike Research)

CLIMATE 

Climate change outpacing green investment, report shows (via GreenBiz)

Why Tokyo has more to fear from sea-level rise than Vancouver (via Washington Post)

East Coast faces rising seas from slowing Gulf Stream (via Climate Central)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Almost two-thirds of consumers remain unaware of UK’s energy efficiency Green Deal (via BusinessGreen)

Newer US homes are 30% larger but consumer about as much energy as older homes (via US EIA)

EPEAT green electronics registry adds printers, copiers (via GreenBiz)

Minneapolis commercial buildings to report energy use starting in 2014 (via Energy Manager Today)

TRANSPORTATION 

Holland’s plan to go EV is working (via Autoblog Green)

The charges are flying over a test of Tesla’s charging network (via New York Times)

San Jose State University and CalCharge launch “Battery University” program (via Green Car Congress)

OIL 

US approves Chinese-Canadian oil deal (via The Hill)

Russia plans $25-30 billion oil-for-loans deal with China (via Reuters)

GREEN BUSINESS 

Corporations face mounting investor demand to enhance environmental performance (via BusinessGreen)

ENVIRONMENT 

Deaths of endangered fish curtail California water exports (via Los Angeles Times)

POLITICS 

Top Republican to Obama: don’t bypass Congress on climate (via The Hill)

Sen. Boxer’s ideal EPA candidate seems to describe Gina McCarthy (via The Hill)

OPINION 

Obama can’t change polarization on climate change (via Grist)

Can Congress compromise on clean energy? (via Midwest Energy News)

Is exporting natural gas a problem? (via Politico)

Is another Enron possible in today’s energy market? (via Forbes)

Is more charging needed to sell electric cars in Northeast US? (via Green Car Reports)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.11.13

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

CLIMATE 

The scary truth about how much climate change is costing you (via National Journal)

EPA publishes climate change protection plan, asks for comments (via The Hill)

Science groups push Obama for climate change summit (via Climate Central)

New map pinpoints cities to avoid as sea levels rise (via NewScientist)

Attention investors: climate policy could knock off half the value of fossil fuel companies (via Grist)

COAL 

Interior Department will investigate coal export royalty payments (via The Hill)

Big Coal’s big problems (via Rolling Stone)

Flexibility key to carbon limits on US coal-fired power (via Reuters)

Coal exports are a no-win business model (via The Oregonian)

RENEWABLES

Wind industry installs almost 5.3GW of capacity in December (via US EIA)

World added 30GW of PV solar in 2012, EPIA says (via Recharge)

Clean energy a $2 trillion market through 2018 (via Pike Research)

China, US lead global wind installations in 2012 (via Renew Economy)

Germany has five times as much solar power as the US – despite Alaska levels of sun (via Washington Post)

Tidal power concept fails in UK demo (via EarthTechling)

GWEC: “Africa to emerge as wind hotspot” (via Recharge)

US residential solar financing to reach $5.7 billion by 2016 (via Greentech Media)

Obama Administration to stay course on biofuel law, Vilsack says (via Bloomberg)

DOE launches database to support sustainable development of ocean energy resources (via Green Car Congress)

In the Rockies, growing support for renewables (via New York Times)

Solar outside the Sunbelt: Minnesota (via Greentech Media)

Rhode Island feed-in tariff schedule announced for 2013 (via Renewable Energy World)

EMISSIONS 

Carbon Emissions Globe provides 3D visualization of world’s increasing emissions (via Inhabitat)

Japan proposes pollution meeting with China (via Phys.org)

Business gains seen in US standards for power plant emissions (via Bloomberg)

RGGI’s tougher carbon cap seen doubling revenues by 2020 (via InsideClimate News)

Ohio State’s carbon-capture breakthrough still has long road to adoption (via Midwest Energy News)

TRANSPORTATION 

US Army makes progress on vehicle fleet efficiency (via Triple Pundit)

How battery improvements will revolutionize electric car design (via GigaOm)

Stalled out on Tesla’s electric highway (via New York Times)

Toward a cure for range anxiety (via New York Times)

Automakers straddle the EV charging chasm (via Pike Research)

MyFord mobile app now directs C-Max and Fusion Energi drivers to nearest EV chargers (via Autoblog Green)

KEYSTONE XL 

Kerry wants Keystone pipeline decision in “near term” (via The Hill)

Is Keystone XL Obama’s line in the sand? (via The Globe and Mail)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

€600 million approved UK’s Green Deal energy efficiency program (via CleanTechnica)

Energy efficiency could save US billions, create 1.3 million jobs by 2030 (via CleanTechnica)

Energy efficiency prospects: what to watch (via GreenBiz)

OIL 

Oil exports trim US deficit as fuel gap shrinks (via Bloomberg)

Higher oil taxes would lift the economy (via Council on Foreign Relations)

Major oil company breaks with trade group over SEC disclosure lawsuit (via The Hill)

GRID 

Exelon: wind power subsidies could threaten nuclear plant closings (via Chicago Tribune)

Texas wind power transmission set to skyrocket (via CleanTechnica)

Governor’s office, California ISO square off on distributed generation (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

In North Carolina, fracking rights rise to the surface (via Reuters)

POLITICS 

Sizing up Obama’s State of the Union address (via National Journal)

Obama to lay out economic growth plan in State of Union speech (via Reuters)

Q&A: Sen. Murkowski on her “20/20” energy policy vision (via Washington Post)

Marco Rubio not convinced climate change an actual problem (via Huffington Post)

OPINION 

It’s not easy being green (via New York Times)

10 lessons learned from solar power success in Germany (via CleanTechnica)

More clean energy cometh (via EarthTechling)

Why Keystone XL is not in the US national interest (via Energy Collective)

Cap-and-trade is still alive in New England – is it working? (via Washington Post)

Germany has more solar power because everyone wins (via CleanTechnica)

Could Nemo inspire more dubious climate change coverage? (via Mother Jones)

Can USDA’s climate reality message take root with denialist farmers? (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.8.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Global carbon market value drops 35 percent (via Environmental Leader)

Carbon price suffers “dramatic and enduring” slump (via BusinessGreen)

RGGI calls for 45% cut in amount of carbon emissions allowed (via New York Times)

Utilities prepare for federal carbon rules on power plants (via ClimateWire)

Americans want carbon regulations but not taxes (via United Press International)

COAL 

Green Europe’s dirty secret: it’s consuming more coal (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Could climate change be Al-Qaida’s best friend in Africa? (via Slate)

EPA to issue climate change plan on Friday (via The Hill)

Senior Dem: Obama vows to tackle climate – eventually (via The Hill)

RENEWABLES 

India rebuffs US solar complaint at WTO (via Wall Street Journal)

Wind power markets grow where the Iron Curtain fell (via Greentech Media)

Deadly China pollution breathes new life into solar debt (via Bloomberg)

Intel and Wal-Mart lead EPA’s green power partnership list (via CleanTechnica)

Wind industry moves to standardize site assessments (via BusinessGreen)

Biomass breathing new life into coal plants (via Forbes)

Broad coalition working against ethanol, says it’s “worse than tar sands” (via Autoblog Green)

Despite tarnished reputation, small wind advocates still see opportunity (via Midwest Energy News)

California sets a new solar power record (via Greentech Media)

Apple eyes another patent patent for solar-powered iPhone (via CNET)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Chu bets big on batteries, predicts new energy business models (via SNL Energy)

7 major energy trends to watch in 2013, via DOE’s David Sandalow (via GigaOm)

EIA begins posting daily energy prices online (via US EIA)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Extracting Europe’s shale gas will be slow and difficult (via The Economist)

North Dakota bill cuts tax exemption for natural gas flaring (via Dickinson Press)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Energy efficiency may cut $169 billion in business costs (via Bloomberg)

$150 million in US tax credits available for energy efficiency projects (via Energy Manager Today)

Which is better for efficiency: retrofits or behavior change? (via Greentech Media)

87% of Seattle’s large buildings report energy usage (via Energy Manager Today)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

First Nations question Northern Gateway experts on oil spill impacts (via Globe and Mail)

Pressure on Kerry ahead of meeting with Canada counterpart (via The Guardian)

TransCanada CEO urges permit for Keystone XL (via Washington Post)

TRANSPORTATION

Hybrids, EVs don’t see big sales boost from higher gas prices (via Reuters)

Ford expects 900 US dealers for its plug-ins by Spring 2013 (via New York Times)

Lawmakers pitch plan to tweak Renewable Fuel Standard (via Houston Chronicle)

AeroVironment bundles home charger, installation, warranty with EV purchase (via Green Car Congress)

ENVIRONMENT 

UK to start construction of 93 new flood defense projects in 2013 (via BusinessGreen)

Two Great Lakes hit record low levels: climate crisis or natural cycle? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Westerners agree protected public lands create jobs, oppose state/private ownership (via Climate Progress)

In California, reading the snow to tell future for water supply (via New York Times)

GRID 

How will smart grid transformer technologies stabilize the aging US grid? (via Greentech Media)

US electricity system: over-engineered and vulnerable (via Grist)

NUCLEAR 

Exelon cuts nuclear upgrade spending amid low gas prices (via Reuters)

POLITICS

Can Obama pair Keystone XL and climate action? (via Politico)

Murkowski mulls “hold” on Interior nominee over road’s rejection (via The Hill)

Gore backs Harvard divestment campaign (via Mother Jones)

OPINION 

Renewables cheaper than coal in Australia- a preview of things to come (via Grist)

The other resource curse (via Council on Foreign Relations)

How long before fracking spreads to Europe? At least a decade (via Washington Post)

Climate message essentials for all six “Americas” (via Sightline Daily)