Energy and Environment News Roundup – 10.9.14
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
CLIMATE
UN sets six-month deadline for delivery of draft climate agreement (via RTCC)
EU nations mull funds to aid clean energy in 2030 climate deal (via Bloomberg)
EU 2030 compromise could weaken climate action (via RTCC)
NOAA: Antarctic sea ice growth linked to loss of land ice (via Climate Progress)
Prepare for climate change or risk loss of funds, says FEMA (via Sustainable Business)
California leads U.S. on climate change preparation, says 50-state tool (via USA Today)
RENEWABLES
Solar’s $30 billion splurge proves too much for Japan’s grid (via Bloomberg)
China solar demand in doubt as rooftop installations lag target (via Reuters)
Solar outlook in Ontario promising despite FiT cut (via PV Tech)
Ukraine wants 1GW of wind by 2016 (via Recharge News)
UK energy minister sets sights on “subsidy-free” solar by 2020 (via PV Tech)
Brazil eliminates taxes on wind parts to spur turbine production (via Bloomberg)
Mercom reports strong quarterly solar financing activity (via Solar Industry)
Slow-growing geothermal seeks bigger piece of U.S. renewable energy pie (via Breaking Energy)
Honda, SolarCity expand sun-powered partnership with new $50 million fund (via Autoblog Green)
Buying renewable power for data centers poses major challenges for Internet companies (via Greentech Media)
Wind energy innovation: Hybrid concrete and steel towers (via Navigant Research)
Proposed U.S. solar trade tariff changes “illegal” (via PV Tech)
Massachusetts offshore wind auction to include 4-5 zones (via Recharge News)
Renexia plans 500MW offshore wind for Maryland coast (via Recharge News)
NUCLEAR
EU approves plan for new nuclear power station in UK (via New York Times)
Federal inspector faults regulator on San Onofre nuclear plant review (via CBS Los Angeles)
EMISSIONS
Glasgow University to ditch £18 million fossil fuel investments (via BusinessGreen)
EPA sends ozone regulation for White House review (via The Hill)
California moves to revoke carbon credits after inquiry (via Bloomberg)
OIL
Canadian crude exports to U.S. top 3 million bpd for first time (via Reuters)
Oil bulls keep faith Saudi supply cuts will revive price (via Houston Chronicle/Bloomberg)
In the U.S., a turning point in the flow of oil (via New York Times)
Environmental groups ramp up crude-by-rail fight in courtroom (via Breaking Energy)
Lego scraps Shell deal after Arctic drilling protest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
TRANSPORTATION
UK invests £11 million to get hydrogen cars on the road (via BusinessGreen)
Tesla sets up shop in Japan, sells first EVs (via Green Car Reports)
EPA says 24.1-mpg new car average is best ever (via Autoblog Green)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Efficiency worth more than renewables at $310 billion, says IEA (via Bloomberg)
Which states have the most efficient cars and homes? Study ranks them (via Green Car Reports)
ENERGY POLICY
Canadian support for joint U.S. energy policy falls (via Bloomberg)
GRID
New Hampshire could be the next state to take on microgrids (via GreenBiz)
ENVIRONMENT
Sugar shortage seen looming amid drought in Brazil (via Bloomberg)
Beijing raises smog alert as pollution envelops North China (via Bloomberg)
Obama to declare national monument in San Gabriels (via Los Angeles Times)
California’s firefighting air tanker fleet grounded after deadly Yosemite crash (via Los Angeles Times)
OPINION
Fossil fuel divestment: A brief history (via The Guardian)
2014 extreme weather: looking for climate ties (via Climate Central)
Fourth quarter PV installation forecasts turning into a lottery (via PV Tech)
Advanced ethanol makers trying to give Big Oil a run for its money (via Forbes)
The big problem with letting small railroads haul oil (via Sightline)
Firsthand lessons on public charging for EVs (via Energy Collective)
California’s drought is so bad it’s literally moving mountains (via National Journal)
Documentary “The Overnighters” shows dark side of North Dakota oil boom (via Reuters)