Energy and Environment News Roundup – 12.19.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
ENERGY POLICY
Senate Democrats to make eleventh-hour push for tax extenders (via The Hill)
Baucus proposal replaces dozens of energy breaks with credits for “clean” fuel, electricity (via Greenwire)
EMISSIONS
China seeks to curb worst air pollution in 50 years (via The Guardian)
Guandong carbon market, expected to be China’s biggest, begins briskly (via Reuters)
Most companies still releasing unsustainable amounts of CO2, says study (via Reuters)
RENEWABLES
Asia key to 2014 solar PV forecasts (via Recharge)
Europe’s highest court fuels doubt over French wind tariffs (via Reuters)
Hydro-Quebec calls for 450MW wind power tender (via Recharge)
Clean energy shines as climate index outperforms equities (via Renew Economy)
EIA continues to lowball its renewable energy forecast (via Greentech Media)
BOEM announces third US offshore wind competitive lease auction (via CleanTechnica)
Michigan conservatives launch renewable energy group (via Michigan Live)
OIL
Dolphins suffering from lung disease due to Gulf oil spill, says study (via Wall Street Journal)
GRID
$43 million in USDA loans flow to rural smart grids (via Greentech Media)
Four ways to grow grid-scale energy storage in 2014 (via Greentech Media)
Fitch Ratings: US net metering set to grow (via Solar Industry)
California ISO board adopts joint plan with CPUC to ensure future electric reliability (via BusinessWire)
California ISO unveils roadmap to advance demand response, energy efficiency (via Renew Grid)
Texas electricity prices falling since power market deregulation (via Texas Tribune)
TAR SANDS
TransCanada weighs rail bridge amid Keystone pipeline delay (via The Hill)
CLIMATE
The UN will try for a new disaster risk reduction agreement (via Climate Progress)
Climate change divides political parties in Iowa, nation (via Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COAL
Coal use hits record high in Japan (via Smart Planet)
GREEN BUILDING
Future looks green for building industry (via Environmental Leader)
Los Angeles becomes first major city to require “cool roofs” (via Climate Progress)
Cool roofs rising (via Sustainable Industries)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
USGS releases New York baseline drinking water study in Marcellus Shale region (via Breaking Energy)
TRANSPORTATION
US gasoline pump prices to hit 2013 low (via The Hill)
Tesla will more than double Model S production with help of state tax breaks (via GigaOm)
OPINION
White House to get aggressive on climate change? (via Washington Post)
British Columbia’s carbon tax leadership now more important than ever (via Vancouver Sun)
Why environmentalists should hope nuclear power sticks around (via Washington Post)
Here’s how the shale gas boom is saving Americans money (via Washington Post)
Christie Administration ignores climate change in New Jersey’s post-Sandy rebuild (via InsideClimate News)