Energy and Environment News Roundup – 4.18.14

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

ENVIRONMENT 

One-fifth of China’s farmland is polluted (via New York Times)

California suffers astonishingly fast snowpack melt as drought intensifies (via Mashable)

COAL 

Barclays and Citigroup funded worst of US coal industry (via Bloomberg)

Old-school coal is making a comeback (via Miami Herald/McClatchy)

Cold January boosted capacity factor of retiring coal plants above 50% (via SNL Energy)

Duke Energy tells shareholders coal ash spill won’t affect bottom line (via Charlotte News Observer)

RENEWABLES 

Ukraine seeks renewable energy boost to counter Russia (via Bloomberg)

South Africa moves to add more renewable energy (via CleanTechnica)

The 20 best cities for solar power as US prepares for an energy “revolution” (via Huffington Post)

Eleven states generated electricity from non-hydro renewables at double US average (via US EIA)

A few of America’s greenest colleges are really big on renewables (via US News and World Report)

Green Power Partnership driving on-site energy (via Energy Manager Today)

New simulation tool could help add more solar to America’s grid (via Energy.gov)

EPA data shows 57,860 gallons of cellulosic biofuel produced in Q1 2014 (via Green Car Congress)

Wisconsin solar garden sells out in two weeks (via Energy Manager Today)

CLIMATE 

5.3 million years of sea level change on one cliff face (via Wired Science)

More, bigger wildfires burning western US, shows study (via AGU)

After dry winter in California, preparations begin for harsh wildfire season (via Climate Progress)

Virginia Supreme Court rules for U-Va, in global warming case (via Washington Post)

New Jersey residents want to reduce coastal risks, but they don’t want to pay (via Huffington Post)

ENERGY POLICY 

Mexican energy industry working to restructure for the future (via Breaking Energy)

State AGs take up fossil fuels boom as IPCC and feds lean green (via Denver Post)

Kasich questions electricity deregulation at PUCO chief’s swearing in (via Columbus Dispatch)

EMISSIONS 

Brazil looks to swap World Cup publicity for carbon credits (via Reuters)

Pennsylvania asks EPA for more flexible emissions, trading rules to boost power plant energy efficiency (via ClimateWire)

POLITICS 

Steyer vows to aid anti-Keystone lawmakers (via Politico)

Ohio voters favor renewables, energy efficiency and candidates who do the same, says poll (via Plain Dealer)

OPINION 

On climate, business as usual (via Washington Post)

Let’s use fossil fuels to make stuff, but let’s not cook the planet (via CleanTechnica)

Thanks in part to climate change, the American West will see more fiery summers (via Washington Post)

The Deepwater Horizon threat (via New York Times)

The fracking industry faces its climate demon (via National Journal)

Energy efficiency doesn’t sell, but it can (via Energy Manager Today)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 3.10.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Four new ozone-destroying chemicals found in atmosphere (via The Guardian)

Swiss seek precision as nations shape carbon markets (via Bloomberg)

RGGI carbon prices jump in first event with fewer permits (via Bloomberg)

New study shows how fossil fuel pollution damages the heart (via Climate Progress)

GRID 

America’s largest grid system could reach 30% renewable energy by 2026 (via CleanTechnica)

Distributed defectors: When customers leave the grid (via GreenBiz)

RENEWABLES 

Europe a dark spot for global solar PV market (via Recharge)

China lagging on 2020 hydro goals as premier urges new dam building (via Reuters)

Renewables in MENA to double next year, says Desertec (via Renewable Energy World)

750MW of FiT-approved solar PV projects in pipeline for Kenya (via CleanTechnica)

Google reaps tax breaks in $1.4 billion clean energy bet (via Bloomberg)

US DOE studies what motivates solar adoption to sustain growth (via Solar Industry Magazine)

Plan offered to move Oklahoma to all-renewable energy by 2050 (via The Oklahoman)

Illinois cut pollution equivalent of a million cars through renewable energy buys (via Huffington Post/AP)

Maryland bills would allow wind, solar projects on preserved farmland (via Baltimore Sun)

In Central Texas, drought threatens hydropower (via Texas Tribune)

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

While US waits on Keystone XL decision, Canada approves a different tar sands pipeline (via Climate Progress)

Anti-Keystone comments outnumber supporting one 2 to 1 (via Washington Post)

CLIMATE 

Potential clash anticipated between US, EU at UN climate meeting (via Bloomberg BNA)

GAO: Climate change poses serious risk to US energy systems (via DeSmogBlog)

US government creates incentives to rebuild flood-hit coastal homes, over and over (via InsideClimate News)

Democrat Senators plan all-night climate change “talkathon” (via USA Today)

OIL 

Major gaps in plan to slow down oil trains (via National Journal)

TRANSPORTATION 

US public transit use reaches highest level since 1956 (via New York Times)

US car-sharing programs have taken 500,000 cars off roads (via Yale e360)

Gas prices may jump from California emissions law (via ABC News/AP)

Report: Tesla turned down California sites for Gigafactory (via San Francisco Chronicle)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

First energy-efficiency bonds sold to investors (via Reuters)

NREL tool measures building energy performance (via Environmental Leader)

ENVIRONMENT 

Bitter cold knocks invasive insects down but not out (via AccuWeather)

Housing developments near drying forests a deadly combination in US West (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Don’t send America’s natural gas to Ukraine (via Politico)

Did concentrated solar power miss its chance? (via Christian Science Monitor)

The green movement has a Millennial problem (via Washington Post)

The Northeast’s cap-and-trade system is back on track to cut emissions (via Climate Progress)

Solar and crowdfunding getting cozier every day (via GigaOm)

How solar breaks traditional planning on the distribution grid (via Greentech Media)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.25.14

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

EMISSIONS 

Backloading EU carbon market fix poised to become law (via BusinessGreen)

UN promises “bold response” to stalled carbon offset scheme (via BusinessGreen)

Supreme Court questions EPA’s power on emissions controls (via National Journal)

Supreme Court justices struggle for common ground on EPA emission rules (via Greenwire)

Shell reaches landmark with world’s first industrial carbon capture project (via Houston Chronicle)

EPA threatens Pennsylvania over air pollution rule violations (via The Hill)

KEYSTONE XL 

Governors: Obama expects Keystone decision within months (via Politico)

Loopholes speeding Keystone XL route through Nebraska backfire on governor, TransCanada (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

China narrows gap to US in renewable energy ranking (via Bloomberg)

Greece awaits “new deal” after adding 1GW of solar in 2013 (via PV Magazine)

Netherlands connects over 600MW of PV to grid (via PV Tech)

Survival of fittest in China’s renewable energy market (via Bloomberg)

India announces 2GW worth of new large-scale solar projects (via CleanTechnica)

Non-hydro renewable sources triple electricity output in last decade (via Facts of the Day)

Powering the US with renewables: A state-by-state roadmap (via Renewable Energy World)

ALEC coordinates new attacks on renewables mandates and net metering (via Greentech Media)

Unions’ full support for offshore wind a “work in progress” (via ClimateWire)

Sugarcane converted to cold-tolerant, oil-producing crop (via Science Daily)

SolarCity says it had “an amazing year” in 2013 but delays earnings (via GigaOm)

SolarCity to install fewer panels in first quarter (via Reuters)

California startup turns old wind turbines into gold (via InsideClimate News)

North Carolina is newest net-metering battleground (via Energy Manager Today)

ENERGY POLICY 

Japan unveils draft energy policy, with nuclear, in wake of Fukushima (via The Guardian)

Court throws out Bush Administration rule on mountaintop coal removal (via SustainableBusiness)

GE to spend another $10 billion on energy research by 2020 (via Reuters) 

Oil, coal trains, concerns likely to increase in Northwest (via Spokesman-Review)

NATURAL GAS 

Natural gas at heart of GE’s $10 billion Ecomagination boost (via Greentech Media)

More work needed to stop natural gas flaring at oil wells, officials say (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

UN makes future of small island states a 2014 priority (via RTCC)

Increase in Western wildfires fuels Obama’s budget move (via Climate Central)

OIL 

Oil net imports have declined since 2011, with value falling slower than volume (via US EIA)

Shell’s Arctic oil plans face shareholder scrutiny (via RTCC)

TRANSPORTATION 

Volt fleet to cross 400 million EV miles today (via GM)

OPINION 

Is it getting any easier for clean tech firms to cross the “valley of death?” (via Greentech Media)

RMI report predicts demise of existing utility business (via Energy Manager Today)

After legal setback in Nebraska, what’s next for Keystone XL? (via Climate Progress)

A $400 natural gas bill? It’s on the way (via Washington Post)

Microalgae-derived biogas a promising alternative to fossil fuels (via Phys.org)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.24.14

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

GREEN BUSINESS 

Blue-green opportunities: Energy efficiency and jobs impacts in US manufacturing (via WRI Insights)

Illinois jumps to top of US green building LEED-certified ranks (via CleanTechnica)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Shopping around for natural gas: The good, the bad, and the confusing (via Midwest Energy News)

New England natural gas prices set record (via Energy Manager Today)

Colorado first state to regulate methane emissions (via The Hill)

Exxon CEO joins anti-fracking lawsuit after drilling threatens his property value (via Slate)

RENEWABLES 

UK claims world leadership in offshore wind (via Energy Manager Today)

Five million German households faced with higher power bills (via Reuters)

Interior Department approves 550MW of solar projects on public land (via Solar Industry)

DOE awards $2 million to support geothermal systems with rare earth extraction capability (via CleanTechnica)

Air Force scores biggest-ever military solar plant (via CleanTechnica)

Top 10 women of solar energy (via Energy Collective)

New Year off to hot start for US solar industry (via Renewable Energy World)

OIL 

Arctic oil still seen decades off as producers balk at costs (via Bloomberg)

Oil industry head cautions against creating new rail risks (via Houston Chronicle)

Federal regulators move to hike cap on oil spill liabilities (via Houston Chronicle)

To make shipping oil safer, railroads agree to eight measures (via New York Times)

Funding the future with fracking in North Dakota (via National Journal)

Oil spill closes 65-mile stretch of lower Mississippi River (via Reuters)

GE to funnel billions into oil field technology (via Houston Chronicle)

TRANSPORTATION 

Megacity driving woes signal dawn of “peak car” era (via Bloomberg)

Study finds 20-25% of EV range lost as psychological safety buffer; driver assistance systems could shrink loss (via Green Car Congress)

Elon Musk and Tesla plan world’s biggest battery factory (via Greentech Media)

Tesla’s Musk accelerating vehicle output through 2014 (via Bloomberg)

KEYSTONE XL 

Keystone backers find Nebraska judge not only hurdle remaining (via Bloomberg)

Keystone’s future in hands of Nebraska’s new pipeline regulator (via Houston Chronicle)

CLIMATE 

January 2014: Earth’s 4th warmest January on record (via Weather Underground)

Arctic temperatures could increase 13C by 2100 (via RTCC)

Climate change to add to winter extremes, limiting warming benefit (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Small volcanic eruptions add to larger impact on climate (via Climate Central)

Obama climate change agenda faces first Supreme Court test (via Reuters)

This year’s crazy weather is freezing the economy (via Washington Post)

Coffee shortage possible due to drought, climate change, rising demand (via Washington Post)

In Rhode Island flood zones, houses raised to lower premiums (via Providence Journal)

ENVIRONMENT 

Obama to propose changes to wildfire funding in budget (via Weather Channel/AP)

Environmental groups resort to suing industries directly (via New York Times)

California farmers brace for little or no water amid extreme drought (via The Guardian)

Coal ash spill could push North Carolina to move more aggressively on environmental threats (via News Observer)

EMISSIONS

“Imagination” required to save UN carbon market, says new chair (via RTCC)

GRID 

Bid to connect US grids needs buy-in from independent Texas (via EnergyWire)

POLITICS 

Environmental advocates target climate change as Democratic election issue (via Washington Post)

OPINION 

Has China’s coal boom hit the buffers? (via BusinessGreen)

Why is the Obama administration using taxpayer money to back a nuclear plant that’s already being built? (via Washington Post)

The short era of cheap natural gas ended in January: Is it gone forever? (via Facts of the Day)

Will methane burn down the natural gas “bridge” to the future? (via Christian Science Monitor)

Play it again: January continues globe’s warm trend (via Climate Central)

Communicating the health and climate connection (via EcoAffect)

Waiting on Ivanpah (via CleanTechnica)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 2.5.14

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

CLIMATE 

World had sixth-hottest year on record in 2013, says UN (via Bloomberg)

2013 marked 37th consecutive year of above-average temperatures (via Grist)

Cities almost double climate actions over two years, says C40 (via Bloomberg)

Climate change means more wildfires, and that means lots more air pollution (via Grist)

Winter Olympics: A downhill forecast (via Nature)

White House to unveil “climate hubs” to aid farmers across country (via Washington Post)

RENEWABLES 

Global wind hits 318GW – GWEC report (via Recharge)

Morocco says investors lining up for $9 billion solar project (via Reuters)

SunEdison plans $6.4 billion PV manufacturing center in Saudi Arabia (via Solar Industry)

Iceland uses magma to create geothermal power for first time (via Climate Progress)

Israel wants to be the “startup nation” on clean technology (via ClimateWire)

Solar PV suppliers expected to enter new upturn in 2015 (via CleanTechnica)

COAL 

As shale gas blows worldwide, India can’t kick coal habit (via EnergyWire)

US not protecting taxpayers on coal exports, says report (via Reuters)

EMISSIONS 

EPA staff struggling to create pollution rule (via New York Times)

Poll finds most voters want EPA to limit carbon pollution from power plants (via Climate Progress)

How the Northeast could cut carbon pollution 75% in 5 steps (via Climate Progress)

NATURAL GAS 

Canadian regulators hid natural gas pipeline explosion for years (via CBC News)

House Republicans add pressure for gas exports (via National Journal)

ENERGY INDUSTRY 

Fitch Ratings says shareholder activism impacting U.S. energy sector cash flows (via BusinessWire)

Utilities want regulatory rescue from “death spiral” (via Forbes)

KEYSTONE XL 

The quietly important Keystone pipeline date (via National Journal)

Obama knocks high Keystone jobs estimate in interview (via Politico)

Chu: Keystone pipeline decision “political” (via The Hill)

ENVIRONMENT 

Sao Paulo’s biggest water-supply system may run dry within 45 days (via Bloomberg)

Farm bill headed to Obama after Senate passage (via USA Today)

Californians brace for year of “mega-drought” (via USA Today)

OIL 

US fines three oil companies in first move since derailments (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

Tesla breaks into top five brands in consumer reports survey (via Bloomberg)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.31.14

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

KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS 

Keystone XL review “to say pipeline will not appreciably increase emissions” (via The Guardian)

Oil sands opponents file challenge against European Commission (via Reuters)

Canada regulator approves Enbridge’s Alberta oil pipeline plan (via Reuters)

Obama Administration prepared to show cards on Keystone (via National Journal)

Keystone foes say two pipelines are worse than one (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

10 cities making massive emissions cuts through energy efficiency (via CleanTechnica)

Northeast, Mid-Atlantic invested $2.5 billion in energy efficiency during 2013 (via Energy Manager Today)

The ultimate guide to efficient light bulbs (via CleanTechnica)

RENEWABLES 

China installed record amounts of solar in 2013 – but coal is still winning (via Washington Post)

MoU signed for enormous 4,000MW solar project in India (via CleanTechnica)

Goldman Sachs sees “transformational moment” in renewables investment (via Renew Economy)

U.S. installed 1.08GW wind in 2013 (via Recharge)

Wind power supporters push Congress to revive expired tax credit (via Washington Post)

Renewable energy finance outlook for 2014: Where will the cash flow? (via Renewable Energy World)

Study finds carbon intensity of corn ethanol to be 43-60% lower than oil by 2022 (via Green Car Congress)

Biodiesel boom continues with eight straight months above 100 million gallons (via Facts of the Day)

Texas tops nation in new wind power construction (via Houston Chronicle)

Rooftop solar and net metering win big in Colorado (via Greentech Media)

Why New Jersey’s solar market just got hot again (via Renewable Energy World)

Eagle permits: A way forward for wind or a license to kill? (via Midwest Energy News)

EMISSIONS 

South Korea confirms 30% carbon reduction target by 2020 (via RTCC)

China unhappy with “carbon budget” reference in IPCC review (via RTCC)

EU panel votes to limit concessions on airline carbon curbs (via Bloomberg)

ENERGY POLICY 

New US generation capacity falls 54% in 2013 as new wind plunges (via Facts of the Day)

Energy Secretary: ability to transport U.S. oil, gas lags booming output (via Reuters)

White House taps Norman Bay to head FERC (via Politico)

EPA prepares hundreds of regional buyouts in sweeping workforce overhaul (via Greenwire)

CLIMATE 

Lima talks should deliver first draft of 2015 UN climate deal, says Peru minister (via The Guardian)

Obama’s agenda: EPA leading the charge on climate change (via Politico)

EPA chief: Climate change regulation “done deal” despite Supreme Court review (via National Journal)

Green groups: Obama not doing enough on climate (via AP)

Business groups form multi-million dollar campaign to fight Obama climate plan (via Washington Post)

Bloomberg tapped to be UN cities, climate change envoy (via Reuters)

OIL 

White House willing to explore “policy options” on crude oil exports (via National Journal)

OPEC oil output rises in January from 2 ½-year low (via Reuters)

TRANSPORTATION 

White House releases plan to make Arctic shipping safer (via Reuters)

House Democrats demand better fuel efficiency from USPS vehicles (via The Hill)

Which state has the highest percentage of EVs? No, not California (via Green Car Reports)

ENVIRONMENT 

Its great lake shriveled, Iran confronts water supply crisis (via New York Times)

California may have hit its driest point in 500 years, and the effects are frightening (via Huffington Post)

For California, more wildfires mean more pollution and long-lasting health problems (via ClimateWire)

California snowpack hits record low (via Los Angeles Times)

GRID 

Return on investment from smart grid deployment is top priority for public power utilities (via Renew Grid)

OPINION 

The extraordinary climate and environmental legacy of Henry Waxman (via Climate Progress)

Supporters, opponents of Waxman’s climate agenda lament retirement (via SNL Energy)

Enlightened power: New eco warriors are really well armed (via Bloomberg)

Extreme weather is a reality – the insurance industry must adapt (via The Guardian)

Two things to know about Indonesia’s forest moratorium (via World Resources Institute)

Four insights on unlocking finance for clean energy access in Africa (via World Resources Institute)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.25.13

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

TRANSPORTATION 

8 US states target 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025 (via CleanTechnica)

Pecan Street study shows EVs might not stress grids (via Austin-American Statesman)

EMISSIONS 

Wall Street demands answers from fossil fuel producers on “unburnable” carbon (via Inside Climate News)

71 institutional investors urge top oil, power companies to tap clean energy (via Pensions & Investments)

Canada falling far short on emission reduction goals (via Globe and Mail)

Response to a city’s smog points to change in Chinese attitude (via New York Times)

Legislative glitch could doom CO2 rules for existing power plants (via Greenwire)

Ann Arbor asks pension board to consider fossil fuel divestment (via Ann Arbor News)

Report: Smoke from wildfires poses health risks (via National Journal)

RENEWABLES 

IEA increases wind power target for global electricity by 2050 (via Phys.org)

GTM research exposes hidden solar growth markets (via Greentech Media)

Japan builds floating windmills to expand offshore power (via New York Times)

Leaked RFS proposal irks both oil and ethanol groups (via Houston Chronicle)

How the Department of Energy is reducing the cost of solar by 75% (via Climate Progress)

Colorado’s first solar rights auction on public lands draws no bids (via Denver Post)

KEYSTONE XL 

State Department to hand over Keystone XL documents to environmental group (via The Hill)

Obama’s former climate czar predicts president will reject Keystone XL (via The Hill)

GRID 

A guide to 123GW of grid-scale energy storage (via Greentech Media)

USDA awards $960 million for rural grid improvements (via Renew Grid)

One year later, Hurricane Sandy fuels grid innovation (via GreenBiz)

COAL 

Poland could halve demand for coal by 2030, study says (via Reuters)

CLIMATE 

Arctic temperatures reach highest levels in 44,000 years (via Huffington Post)

West Coast states, British Columbia form climate pact (via National Journal)

Nebraska climate change study opposed by state scientists (via Omaha World-Herald)

Ernest Moniz sees Capitol Hill thaw on climate change (via The Hill)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

NYC is replacing its 250,000 streetlights with LEDs (via Gizmodo)

OPINION

Investors: Can oil companies thrive in a warming world? (via Climate Central)

5 things you didn’t know about green business in Brazil (via GreenBiz)

Why businesses need to avoid climate’s “inevitable surprise” (via GreenBiz)

Don’t extend the wind production tax credit, fix it (via MIT Technology Review)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.24.13

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

GRID 

India’s $10B roadmap for smart grid transformation (via Greentech Media)

MISO grid adding four new electric utility territories in December (via US EIA)

New Jersey’s grid defense debate continues a year after Sandy’s knockout blow (via EnergyWire)

OIL 

Interior close to floating new offshore drilling rule (via The Hill)

Watchdog report finds pipeline regulators spend more time at industry conferences than at oil spills (via Huffington Post)

As pipeline concerns mount, focus returns to Great Lakes (via Midwest Energy News)

North Dakota pipeline spill raises questions amid state’s oil boom (via Los Angeles Times)

Environmentalists slam Coke, Pepsi for tar sands use in trucks (via Politico)

RENEWABLES 

Deutsche Bank says solar PV market could reach 50GW in 2014 (via Renew Economy)

Ethiopia signs $4 billion geothermal deal (via Phys.org)

Record year blows UK small wind installations past 102MW (via CleanTechnica)

US has 11 offshore wind farms in the works  - sort of (via EarthTechling)

Algae biofuel gets Congressional caucus (via Sustainable Business)

Vivint Solar raises $540 million new funding for home solar leasing (via CleanTechnica)

Meet the Kickstarter of solar energy (via National Journal)

Long Island Power Authority seeks 280MW of renewable capacity (via Recharge)

CLIMATE 

Australia, UN spar over wildfires and climate change (via Reuters)

Pacific nations “very disappointed” by Australian PM’s climate skepticism (via The Guardian)

IPCC’s carbon budget will not drive Warsaw talks, says UN climate chief (via The Guardian)

Climate change cost you the McDonald’s dollar menu (via Quartz)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Fracking fight focuses on a New York town’s ban (via New York Times)

ENVIRONMENT 

Ozone hole over South Pole shrinks by 6%, scientists credit warm upper air (via Washington Post/AP)

House shows it can unite by passing mammoth water bill (via National Journal)

GREEN BUILDING 

UK to invest £40 billion in green infrastructure projects (via RTCC)

Five US cities that are taking climate preparation seriously (via Climate Progress)

TRANSPORTATION 

VW calls Germany’s 1 million EV by 2020 goal achievable (via Bloomberg)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Plugin Cars)

DC looks to reduce traffic, improve air quality with 2040 plan (via ClimateWire)

NUCLEAR 

Britain, India go nuclear as Japan struggles to contain radiation (via Sustainable Business)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Revival planned for Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill (via National Journal)

NREL develops energy audit tool (via Energy Manager Today)

EMISSIONS 

China to send air pollution inspection teams to provinces (via Reuters)

EPA hits the road to seek input on power plant emission rules (via Reuters)

Texas remains top US carbon polluter despite declines (via Houston Chronicle)

OPINION 

Australia’s bushfires and the role of climate change (via Climate Central)

Hot topic: The science of global warming and the public disconnect (via U-T San Diego)

The dark forces lined up against renewables in Australia (via Renew Economy)

How carmakers like Ford will spark changes on the grid’s edge (via Greentech Media)

The dangerous bargain Harvard’s president has made with fossil fuels (via Climate Progress)

Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.22.13

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

EMISSIONS 

UN climate chief says Australian Direct Action plan “more expensive” than pricing carbon (via BusinessGreen)

Natural gas, energy efficiency fuel US carbon emissions decline (via Climate Central)

Carbon intensity of US economy dropped a record 6.5% in 2012 (via Facts of the Day)

US energy-related emissions drop to 1994 levels (via BusinessGreen)

US Chamber, Kochs join “social cost of carbon” lobbying battle (via The Hill)

NUCLEAR 

After storm, toxic water overflows at Fukushima (via New York Times)

EDF agrees to build UK’s first nuclear plant since 1995 (via Bloomberg)

Toxic water stymies Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant cleanup (via Washington Post)

Sandy a warning that rising seas threaten nuclear plants (via Climate Central)

RENEWABLES 

Energy storage for solar and wind will pass $10 billion in annual market value by 2023 (via Navigant Research)

Wind could see 18% of world’s 2050 energy share, says IEA (via Recharge)

Hunting fertile fields, advanced biofuels providers look abroad (via Navigant Research)

The rise of rooftop solar among the middle class (via Center for American Progress)

USDA announces $181 million to support advanced biofuels (via Green Car Congress)

Solar gardens let communities share renewable power (via National Geographic)

OIL 

China, Russia agree to oil supply deal (via ABC News/AP)

TRANSPORTATION 

How to site EV charging stations? It’s the parking, stupid (via Green Car Reports)

EV charging networks start to unify (via Navigant Research)

What financing could mean for public EV charging (via Plugin Cars)

CLIMATE 

Australian wildfires threaten new prime minister’s anti-climate agenda (via Climate Progress)

Global warming linked to wildfires, says UN climate chief (via Phys.org)

Debunking the UN climate-change conspiracy (via National Journal)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 

Weatherizing homes to uniform standard can net $33 billion in annual energy savings (via Phys.org)

How much are we really spending on energy efficiency? (via Greentech Media)

10 things you didn’t know about combined heat and power (via Energy.gov)

OPINION 

Congress turns a blind eye to global warming (via Washington Post)

In Germany, net metering brings unintended consequences (via Navigant Research)

US shale gas boom won’t do much for climate change, but it will make us richer (via Washington Post)