Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.30.14

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

CLIMATE

U.S. cities face “blackouts” from climate-linked extreme weather (via RTCC)

NUCLEAR

Fukushima radiation: U.S. West Coast will likely see peak by end of 2015 (via Christian Science Monitor)

RENEWABLES

Enel Green connects two new solar farms to Chile grid (via Bloomberg)

UK businesses urged to weigh in on government’s rooftop solar plans (via BusinessGreen)

Poll: Americans prioritize alternative energy to fossil fuels by a 2-to-1 margin (via Houston Chronicle)

Graphene may double solar cell power, harvest hydrogen from air (via Green Car Reports)

U.S. places 2.5GW wind capacity in service through November (via Recharge)

Renewable energy review: The island markets (via Renewable Energy World)

Utah’s solar sector showing strong gains (via Solar Industry Magazine)

India’s railways plan 1GW solar power capacity (via CleanTechnica)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Portman has hope for energy efficiency bill in next Congress (via The Hill)

EMISSIONS

Inhofe says fighting environmental regulations won’t be top priority (via The Hill)

TRANSPORTATION

Lamborghini plug-in hybrid SUV reportedly in the works (via Inside EVs)

OPINION

10 renewable energy questions for 2015 (via Breaking Energy)

Remember these energy numbers from 2014 (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.31.14

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

CLIMATE 

IPCC preparing “most important” document on climate change (BBC)

Bangladesh leads 32 nations hit by extreme climate risk (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s dangerous climate spiral (via National Journal)

Climate change a threat multiplier for farming-dependent states (via Reuters)

38 federal agencies reveal their climate change vulnerabilities – and what they’re doing about it (via Washington Post)

NATURAL GAS 

Ukraine, Moscow clinch deal on Russian natural gas supply (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

Oil rout seen diluting price appeal of U.S. LNG exports (via Bloomberg)

Toxic chemicals, carcinogens skyrocket near fracking sites (via U.S. News and World Report)

RENEWABLES 

U.K. Green Bank mobilizes $8 billion for clean energy since launch (via Bloomberg)

Why are solar’s largest players entering the Latin American market? (via Greentech Media)

China is top developing nation for clean energy investment, finds analysis (via Yale e360)

Brazil election opens solar growth (via Recharge Magazine)

India’s wind energy capacity to double in five years: GWEC (via CleanTechnica)

Politics dim Obama’s Africa power plan as lights go out (via Bloomberg)

U.S. trade policy in action: SolarWorld now adding jobs and solar module capacity (via Greentech Media)

SunEdison’s plan to go big in China (via Forbes)

OIL 

Report: U.S. gas prices driven more by international crude (via The Hill)

TransCanada applies to build Energy East oil pipeline (via Bloomberg)

Scientists investigate link between newborn deaths and Utah oil drilling (via Inhabitat)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla looks to solar to power Australian supercharging network (via Renew Economy)

Volkswagen planning 20 new plug-in models for China (via Autoblog Green)

Toyota to test EV and PHV charging infrastructure expansion in Japan (via Green Car Congress)

Nissan Leaf breaks its own annual U.S. EV sales record (via Green Car Congress)

Startup borrows financing model from solar, efficiency sectors to launch EVs in fleets (via Greentech Media)

GRID 

Southeast Asia to be the next hot spot for smart grid investment (via Breaking Energy)

Survey: Utilities expect strong competition in U.S. grid build-out (via Renew Grid)

The electricity grid gets a value chain (via RMI Outlet)

Two years after Superstorm Sandy, utilities highlight grid efforts (via Renew Grid)

NUCLEAR 

Nuclear industry lobbies to preserve tax credit; opposes similar wind incentive (via Bloomberg BNA)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Green buildings market grows to $260 billion (via Environmental Leader)

Energy codes help drive green buildings, says Lux Research (via Energy Manager Today)

POLITICS 

Race for top House Energy Committee seat brings windfall to Democrats (via National Journal)

Poll: Swing state voters back climate action (via The Hill)

California’s Brown pushes water bond as election nears (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

The world’s climate change watchdog may be underestimating global warming (via Washington Post)

Nine significant findings too recent to be included in the new IPCC report (via WRI Insights)

California’s carbon market is leaking (via Grist)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 8.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

Glacier study reveals north-south divide in climate change (via The Australian)

Wildfire smoke proves worse for global warming (via Scientific American)

Preparing for climate disasters to get $100 million fund (via Bloomberg)

Toledo’s algae bloom in line with climate projections (via Climate Central)

COAL 

Beijing to ban coal use to curb pollution (via Sydney Morning Herald/Xinhua)

King Coal deposed in West, but reigns in East (via Energy Collective)

RENEWABLES 

India plans solar parks to host up to 20GW (via Bloomberg)

UK solar firms call for review of early end to subsidies (via The Guardian)

Japan may pull more solar project approvals behind schedule (via Bloomberg)

China said to consider policies to increase solar installations (via Bloomberg)

China said to add 10,000 tons to rare earths stockpiles (via Bloomberg)

Brazil’s hybrid revolution (via Recharge)

Nigeria energy minister back solar for rural communities (via RTCC)

France approves green energy law (via RTCC)

France announces $13.4 billion green energy plan (via CleanTechnica)

Morgan Stanley: Fixed charges on solar may cause grid defection “tipping point” (via Greentech Media)

Arizona Public Service’s new solar lease: More than meets the eye (via GreenBiz)

Renewable heating and cooling now mandated in Massachusetts (via Renewable Energy World)

Fees for distributed solar fire up advocates and utilities in Utah and Massachusetts (via Solar Industry)

NATURAL GAS 

Amid Ukraine crisis, will Europe frack? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Marcellus Region production continues growth (via U.S. EIA)

Pennsylvania drillers did not report half of spills that led to fines (via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Colorado deal would keep fracking off ballot (via Wall Street Journal)

Why Twitter should matter to fracking firms (via Environmental Leader)

EMISSIONS 

Fossil free indexes U.S. supports fossil fuel divestment (via CleanTechnica)

OIL 

Bakken Shale fuels North Dakota’s oil production growth (via U.S. EIA)

TRANSPORTATION 

EPRI, utilities, automakers partner on EV-smart grid integration (via Renew Grid)

Tesla trying to keep Model X demand low for now (via Autoblog Green)

Future power demand from electric cars sparks study (via Houston Chronicle)

When will electric cars compete in the mainstream market? (via Green Car Reports)

Elon Musk predicts price parity with gas-powered cars within 10 years (via ClimateWire)

GRID 

Why some utilities are warming up to microgrids (via Midwest Energy News)

California plans “road map” to make more energy storage a reality (via Greenwire)

$600 million transmission project splits Texas power industry (via EnergyWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Europeans prioritize energy efficiency measure as price fears rise (via BusinessGreen)

Colorado craft beer brewers model energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Federal officials, lawmakers plan conservation fund promotion tour (via The Hill)

How invisible water sources could green the nation (via GreenBiz)

Five cities where the bacteria that contaminated Ohio’s water supply might strike next (via Climate Progress)

POLITICS 

President Obama is beginning to make climate hawk noises (via Grist)

House Energy Committee fight runs into money war (via Politico)

Colorado Democrats reach a deal on fracking (via Climate Progress)

OPINION 

How ALEC fronts for fossil fuels (via Huffington Post)

Is the sharing economy really green? (via Marc Gunther)

California, here we come (via Sightline Daily)

Greening or greenwashing? Illinois cities’ use of RECs shows challenges with local energy choice (via CleanTechnica)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 6.23.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

France launches €5 financing plan for clean energy transition (via Reuters)

Utilities unsure of future as environmental regs loom (via St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Yieldco returns in high demand from energy sector (via Financial Times)

Beyond the bank: A new peer-to-peer financing model connects investors to projects (via Greentech Media)

California wrestles with emerging energy business models (via Navigant Research)

EMISSIONS 

Australia’s Abbott revives proposal to scrap carbon-price levy (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

European Union mulls cutting energy use 35% by 2030 (via The Guardian)

RENEWABLES 

Off-grid, clean energy access market valued at $12 billion (via Energy Collective)

India power ministry seeks to reverse solar dumping duties (via Bloomberg)

Japan domestic solar shipments more than doubled in fiscal 2013 (via Bloomberg)

Australians want renewable energy target retained by 72% majority (via The Guardian)

Italy’s planned solar subsidy cuts risk scaring off investors (via Reuters)

Solar tariffs to boost prices of Chinese solar panels 14% (via Bloomberg)

Drifting off the coast of Portugal, the frontrunner in the global race for floating wind farms (via The Guardian)

U.S. water stress may drive shift to renewable power (via RTCC)

Renewable power initiative is stalling in San Francisco (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Solar at grid parity in Utah, a coal state with no renewable standard (via Greentech Media)

SolarCity’s acquisition of Silveo spurs rise in solar stocks (via CleanTechnica)

Despite funding setback, Lake Erie offshore wind project pushes ahead (via Midwest Energy News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Pressure builds against France’s fracking ban (via Los Angeles Times)

LNG rally fading on new supply as nukes set to restart (via Bloomberg)

Higher U.S. natgas price needed to boost shale growth, says economist (via Reuters)

Pennsylvania ordered its health workers to never discuss fracking (via Grist)

CLIMATE 

Waves in the atmosphere fueling extreme weather (via Climate Central)

U.S. summer temperatures have risen up to five degrees since 1970 (via Yale e360)

U.S. mayors to use nature in climate change fight (via AP/ABC News)

COAL 

Rising German coal use imperils European emissions deal (via Bloomberg)

North Carolina residents worry over coal ash ponds (via USA Today)

ENVIRONMENT 

Fears of EPA land grab create groundswell against water rule (via The Hill)

The White House wants to save America’s bees (via Time)

As California drought worsens, water use dips slightly (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

IEA: Unconventional oil boom to spread beyond North America by 2019 (via Houston Chronicle)

Russia needs U.S. technology to unlock $8.2 trillion oil trove (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla is world’s most important automaker, says Morgan Stanley (via Los Angeles Times)

Tesla prepping Supercharger network for big growth across Europe (via Autoblog Green)

Tesla looks to fuel a battery revolution (via Navigant Research)

GRID 

Texas turns into testing ground for energy storage (via Texas Tribune)

NERC’s Summer Reliability Assessment highlights regional electricity capacity margins (via U.S. EIA)

OPINION 

The United States of drought (via Washington Post)

The RFS is broken and E85 is no solution (via Breaking Energy)

What the SolarCity-Silveo acquisition could mean (via CleanTechnica)

POLITICS 

Inside the vast liberal conspiracy (via Politico)

Democrats use climate change as wedge issue on Republicans (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Julian Castro is Obama’s newest climate denizen (via National Journal)

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 – 2.17.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany set to cut rebates for companies that generate own power (via Bloomberg)

Renewable mandates, subsidies: At war with each other? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Study highlights benefits of innovative pricing in competitive electricity markets (via COMPETE)

COAL 

EIA increases short-term coal retirement prediction 50% (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina governor denies Duke coal ash deal involvement (via ABC News/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Iran plans carbon emissions trading market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia to review renewable energy target (via Reuters)

Climate skeptic to lead review of Australia’s renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Wind turbines propel Michigan closer to 2015 renewable energy goal (via Detroit Free Press)

Property rights at heart of battles over Oklahoma wind farm regulation (via The Oklahoman)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices soar as U.S. stockpiles drop (via Wall Street Journal)

CLIMATE 

Sec. Kerry announces “unique co-operative effort” with China on climate change (via The Guardian)

Climate change an issue of national security, warns Milliband (via The Guardian)

Denmark about to set even more ambitious climate goals than Europe (via Climate Progress)

Kerry urges Indonesia to fight climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama launches climate change fund (via The Hill)

Kerry to begin climate blitz (via The Hill)

Climate trends tell different story for Great Lakes ice (via Climate Central)

Climate change gets its 15 minutes on Sunday interview shows (via The Hill)

San Francisco announces 0-50-100 plan to fight climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Map: Here’s how climate change has impacted your city (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian PM Harper will press Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

Native Americans vow last stand to block Keystone XL (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Enbridge pipeline joins Keystone XL in wait for U.S. permit (via Reuters)

Kerry burnishes his green badge in Asia ahead of Keystone call (via Bloomberg)

Canadian company named U.S. Oil Sands will soon start extracting Utah’s tar sands (via DeSmog Blog)

ENVIRONMENT 

More than 140 Brazilian cities rationing water due to drought (via AZ Central/AP)

Desalination plants a pricey option if drought persists (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Water cleaning technology could help farmers (via New York Times)

In California’s parched Central Valley, a message of aid and a warning from Obama (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

US oil demand returns to growth (via Energy Collective)

TRANSPORTATION

World’s largest EV fast charger network to roll out in China (via CleanTechnica)

Wanxiang wins bid for Fisker at $149.2 million (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Harper government makes moves to silence Canada’s leading environmental groups (via InsideClimate News)

Obama wants Congress to help with climate agenda after all (via National Journal)

John Kerry mocks those who deny climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.17.14

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Germany set to cut rebates for companies that generate own power (via Bloomberg)

Renewable mandates, subsidies: At war with each other? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Study highlights benefits of innovative pricing in competitive electricity markets (via COMPETE)

COAL 

EIA increases short-term coal retirement prediction 50% (via Greentech Media)

North Carolina governor denies Duke coal ash deal involvement (via ABC News/AP)

EMISSIONS 

Iran plans carbon emissions trading market (via Reuters)

RENEWABLES 

Australia to review renewable energy target (via Reuters)

Climate skeptic to lead review of Australia’s renewable energy target (via The Guardian)

Wind turbines propel Michigan closer to 2015 renewable energy goal (via Detroit Free Press)

Property rights at heart of battles over Oklahoma wind farm regulation (via The Oklahoman)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas prices soar as U.S. stockpiles drop (via Wall Street Journal)

CLIMATE 

Sec. Kerry announces “unique co-operative effort” with China on climate change (via The Guardian)

Climate change an issue of national security, warns Milliband (via The Guardian)

Denmark about to set even more ambitious climate goals than Europe (via Climate Progress)

Kerry urges Indonesia to fight climate change (via Los Angeles Times)

Obama launches climate change fund (via The Hill)

Kerry to begin climate blitz (via The Hill)

Climate trends tell different story for Great Lakes ice (via Climate Central)

Climate change gets its 15 minutes on Sunday interview shows (via The Hill)

San Francisco announces 0-50-100 plan to fight climate change (via Sustainable Business)

Map: Here’s how climate change has impacted your city (via Climate Progress)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Canadian PM Harper will press Obama on Keystone (via The Hill)

Native Americans vow last stand to block Keystone XL (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Enbridge pipeline joins Keystone XL in wait for U.S. permit (via Reuters)

Kerry burnishes his green badge in Asia ahead of Keystone call (via Bloomberg)

Canadian company named U.S. Oil Sands will soon start extracting Utah’s tar sands (via DeSmog Blog)

ENVIRONMENT 

More than 140 Brazilian cities rationing water due to drought (via AZ Central/AP)

Desalination plants a pricey option if drought persists (via San Francisco Chronicle)

Water cleaning technology could help farmers (via New York Times)

In California’s parched Central Valley, a message of aid and a warning from Obama (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL 

US oil demand returns to growth (via Energy Collective)

TRANSPORTATION

World’s largest EV fast charger network to roll out in China (via CleanTechnica)

Wanxiang wins bid for Fisker at $149.2 million (via Autoblog Green)

POLITICS 

Harper government makes moves to silence Canada’s leading environmental groups (via InsideClimate News)

Obama wants Congress to help with climate agenda after all (via National Journal)

John Kerry mocks those who deny climate change (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.20.14

Marcacci Communications publishes a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. 

EMISSIONS 

CO2 emissions being “outsourced” by rich countries to rising economies (via The Guardian)

Church of England says unlikely to quit fossil fuel investment (via Reuters)

COAL 

Value of coal assets “could be halved” if world goes low-carbon (via RTCC)

FutureGen gets key US Energy Department approval (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

RENEWABLES 

19 countries join forces to develop Africa Clean Energy Corridor (via GreenBiz)

India and UAE agree to partner on renewable energy development (via India.com)

German economy minister plans prompt cut to renewable energy tariffs (via Reuters)

Kenya to generate over half its electricity through solar power by 2016 (via The Guardian)

China sets final duties on US solar materials (via Reuters)

Island channel tidal energy could power about half of Scotland (via Phys.org)

How the Army became a leader in third-party clean energy financing (via Greentech Media)

Bill would reward Wisconsin power companies exceeding renewable energy targets (via Wisconsin Rapids Tribune)

California Energy Commission to award up to $24 million for new biofuel projects (via Green Car Congress)

ERCOT boosts wind energy use to record 9.9% in 2013 (via Recharge)

New York sets California-like path for solar energy (via Sustainable Business)

In coal-reliant Missouri, “market rush” leaves solar push in limbo (via EnergyWire)

KEYSTONE XL 

Canadian Prime Minster still expects US approval of Keystone XL (via Reuters)

Kerry will deliberate on Keystone XL after environmental impact analysis is done (via Washington Post)

Canadian environment groups challenge oil pipeline approvals (via Reuters)

Kerry not pressured by Canada’s Keystone XL push (via The Hill)

CLIMATE 

Davos: Climate impacts pose severe global economic risk (via BusinessGreen)

Climate impacts could push up food prices by 25% (via BusinessGreen)

Peru’s farmers fight climate change using modern and Inca techniques (via The Guardian)

Climate change alters land map of India (via Hindustan Times)

Extreme El Nino events could double over 100 years, experts warn (via The Independent)

Climate-proofing of farms seen too slow as industry faces havoc (via Bloomberg)

Study finds growing doubt on climate change (via The Hill)

Alleging “malpractice” with climate skeptic papers, publisher kills journal (via Science Insider)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Emails reveal UK helped shale gas industry manage fracking opposition (via The Guardian)

ENVIRONMENT

More than 90 wildfires rage in Australia’s New South Wales (via Huffington Post/AP)

Drought disaster declared in Utah, 10 other states (via Salt Lake Tribune)

Chemical-related hospital admissions in West Virginia double since water deemed safe (via Climate Progress)

Freedom Industries files for bankruptcy protection (via Wall Street Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

Fisker bankruptcy auction scheduled for February 12th (via Autoblog Green)

Effort to halt bullet train for “Hyperloop”-like options aims for California ballot (via ClimateWire)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Innovative financing spurs energy efficiency in rural communities (via GreenBiz)

Speaking the CFO’s language: The case for energy efficiency (via Energy Manager Today)

GRID 

Load curtailment from demand response programs will triple by 2020 (via Navigant Research)

Dueling charts of the day: Peaker plants vs. green power (via Greentech Media)

OPINION 

Can we sever the link between energy and economic growth? (via Washington Post)

EPA climate rules: Too much, too little, or just right? (via National Journal)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.26.13

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

EMISSIONS 

Tianjin launches China’s latest carbon market (via Reuters)

OIL 

US crude oil production on track to surpass imports for first time since 1995 (via US EIA)

Judge deals a blow to BP’s effort to dodge Deepwater Horizon payments (via Climate Progress)

First US oil shale mine is coming to Utah (via Grist)

ENVIRONMENT 

China struggling to meet 2011-2015 environment goals (via Reuters)

Interior Secretary rejects “Road to Nowhere” though Alaska wilderness area (via Climate Progress)

RENEWABLES 

NPD Solarbuzz predicts 49GW global solar PV demand for 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Solar energy payback time (via CleanTechnica)

Wind power developers race clock to secure PTC subsidy (via New York Times)

Wind farm eagle deaths overestimated, says company (via Houston Chronicle/AP)

New York Green Bank gets $210 million in start-up funding (via CleanTechnica)

Los Angeles moving ahead with plans for 2GW Owens Valley solar plant (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

Coal in their stockings – US coal plants closing at record pace (via Politico)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

State energy efficiency scorecard released – how did yours fare in 2013? (via Triple Pundit)

Energy efficiency, facilities management jobs growing (via Energy Manager Today)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla shares zoom on renewed NHTSA safety rating (via San Jose Mercury News)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Report: EPA followed rules in North Texas fracking case (via Texas Tribune)

EPA report on fracking in Texas raises new concerns (via Los Angeles Times)

Wyoming may act to plug abandoned wells as natural gas boom ends (via New York Times)

OPINION 

India: A solar market you cannot afford to ignore (via Renewable Energy World)

Michael Bloomberg: Big brother or pioneer? (via Room for Debate)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 9.19.13

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

ENERGY POLICY 

Obama looks to fill fall scorecard with regulations, going small-bore (via The Hill)

German industry group seeks green energy overhaul after election (via Reuters)

COAL 

Three times more people working in green jobs than coal (via BusinessGreen)

On cost, new clean energy is beating coal (via EarthTechling)

Wyoming coal sale canceled by US on bid at 15-year low (via Bloomberg)

EMISSIONS 

China faces tough fight against air pollution (via Xinhua)

Business groups, GOP attack social cost of carbon on multiple fronts (via The Hill)

California clears way for use of offsets in carbon market (via Sacramento Bee)

RENEWABLES 

2.8GW solar PV capacity expected to be added in India in 2014 (via CleanTechnica)

Study flags UK’s offshore green jobs surge (via Recharge)

5 market innovations revolutionizing solar in the developing world (via Sustainable Industries)

Cost of US solar power 60% lower than in early 2011 (via CleanTechnica)

US charges 6 people, 3 firms with $100 million biofuels fraud (via Reuters)

Ten myths about geothermal heating and cooling (via National Geographic)

Google goes greener with 240MW wind power purchase (via Houston Chronicle)

New Era Wind will no longer pursue Goodhue wind farm in Minnesota (via Minnesota Public Radio)

Big solar comes to Utah with 300MW project (via SustainableBusiness)

NUCLEAR 

Japan’s Abe orders surviving Fukushima reactors scrapped (via Reuters)

DOE still seeks beneficiary for small modular reactor funding (via Aiken Standard)

CLIMATE 

Delaying climate action will triple costs (via Grist)

Study identifies 10 regions to target climate adaptation funding (via RTCC)

Global temperature trends and the IPCC (via Energy Collective)

Nation-to-nation peer pressure may be best hope for global climate deal (via NBC News)

Poland partners with coal and oil corporate sponsors for COP19 climate conference (via DeSmog Blog)

Obama climate change plan gets first airing in front of House skeptics (via The Guardian)

17 states accuse EPA of exceeding its authority with climate change plan (via The Hill)

Most US companies ignoring SEC rule to disclose climate risks (via InsideClimate News)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Ranking reveals top US cities on energy efficiency (via USA Today)

A quest to prove the business case for installing big batteries at buildings (via GigaOm)

GM’s LEED Gold data center slashes electric bill by 70% (via EarthTechling)

Chicago passes energy benchmarking rules (via Greentech Media)

OIL 

The $1.5 trillion oil find in the Gulf of Mexico (via Christian Science Monitor)

Eagle Ford oil expected to surpass 1 million barrels per day (via Houston Chronicle)

One downside to more oil drilling? Wasted gas (via StateImpact Texas)

China finds resistance to oil deals in Africa (via New York Times)

TRANSPORTATION 

DOE advanced vehicle loan portfolio remains strong (via EarthTechling)

Ford adding 200 charging stations in next 15 months (via Autoblog Green)

ENVIRONMENT 

Environmental groups set for new fight over drilling on US-managed Utah land (via New York Times)

POLITICS 

Obama energy officials defend climate plan to Republicans (via Bloomberg)

Democrat Manchin’s opposition imperils Obama FERC nominee (via Bloomberg)

OPINION 

Time for Angela Merkel to fill the climate leadership vacuum? (via RTCC)

Carbon pricing levels playing field, reduces energy use (via Energy Manager Today)

Fracking may not be as bad for the climate as we thought (via Washington Post)

Clearing up a few myths about Brazilian biofuels trade (via Energy Collective)

Whether approved or not, Keystone XL has been a victory for lobbyists (via DeSmog Blog)

Naomi Klein “waging ideological war” instead of tacking climate change (via The Guardian)

What’s the climate change context behind Colorado’s floods? (via ClimateWire)