Energy and Environment News Roundup – 1.10.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
Scientists: Americans are becoming weather wimps (via AP)
Senate Democrats to launch climate offensive (via National Journal)
Boxer and Whitehouse: Dem leaders back new climate change push (via National Journal)
The front lines of climate change: Charleston’s struggle (via Climate Central)
ENERGY POLICY
Rift over new EU energy and climate policy deepens (via Reuters)
President Obama orders sweeping energy infrastructure review (via The Hill)
Sen. Inhofe wants EPA to report economic impact of regulations (via The Hill)
Report says drilling industry could add 44,000 jobs in Midwest by 2025 (via Columbus Business Journal)
RENEWABLES
US solar industry installs 1.4GW in 4th Quarter 2013 (via Facts of the Day)
Study finds ethanol credits not responsible for higher gasoline prices (via Des Moines Register)
2014: The maturation of clean tech (via Huffington Post)
Technique may lower biofuel production cost (via Environmental Leader)
New Mexico renewable energy rule to get a third review (via Santa Fe New Mexican)
New York Governor Cuomo announces $1 billion, 3GW solar initiative (via Facts of the Day)
OIL
Regulators face growing pressure after oil-by-rail accidents (via National Journal)
How a group of parents ended Radio Disney’s oil-funded educational tour (via Climate Progress)
North Dakota lawmakers meet with top regulators on oil railcar safety (via The Hill)
TRANSPORTATION
Chinese vehicle sales soar past 20 million, making smog worse than ever (via Green Car Reports)
Battery development may extend range of electric cars (via Phys.org)
Nissan’s Ghosn wants to double US Leaf sales after 2013 surge (via Bloomberg)
Popularity soaring, Uber faces a backlash (via Navigant Research)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
EPA to require California fracking reports (via USA Today/AP)
USGS says it may learn cause of Texas quakes within months (via EnergyWire)
100 local fracking activists receive grants from MoveOn.org (via Huffington Post)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Marines are molding energy savings along with young troops (via ClimateWire)
Seattle building owners poised to save millions (via Energy Manager Today)
KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS
Keystone pipeline approval snag spurs oil to rail tankers (via Bloomberg)
State Department Keystone consultant lobbied for trade group linked to TransCanada (via Politico)
EMISSIONS
Report: China to offer cash rewards to regions that cut smog (via BusinessGreen)
Gov. Brown diverts California cap-and-trade money again, to cheers rather than jeers (via ClimateWire)
GRID
Microgrid market will reach nearly $20 billion in annual revenue by 2020 (via Navigant Research)
New York plans $40 million in prizes for storm-resilient microgrids (via Greentech Media)
Under pressure, utilities look to self-healing grids (via Navigant Research)
ENVIRONMENT
China mulls national pollution permit trading system (via Reuters)
We’re losing the war against e-waste, says new report (via TreeHugger)
OPINION
New steps to strengthen the nation’s energy infrastructure (via Energy.gov)
In 2014, utilities must adapt or retreat (via Navigant Research)
Reimagining New York for a New Reality (via Sustainable Business)