Energy and Environment News Roundup – 7.30.13
A daily roundup of the most important energy, environment, and climate news from around the world.
COAL
Goldman Sachs says coal-export terminals are a bad investment (via Grist)
EMISSIONS
UK government unveils next steps to zero carbon homes (via BusinessGreen)
Study: Energy efficiency drove US emissions decline, not natural gas (via InsideClimate News)
Report: Carbon markets offer “cheap” aviation emissions cuts (via BusinessGreen)
KEYSTONE XL/TAR SANDS
State Department: Keystone XL jobs impact “negligible” (via The Hill)
Analysts say Obama “headed toward yes” on Keystone pipeline (via Politico)
RENEWABLES
China’s renewable energy spending may total $300 billion through 2015 (via Bloomberg Businessweek)
New solar homes: Japanese builders helping fight for energy independence (via Renewable Energy World)
Saudi Arabia “committed” to 54GW green revolution (via RTCC)
Chinese solar eyes US market after EU agreement (via Environmental Leader)
Wind developers ready US offshore bids (via Recharge)
RMI: New insights into the real value of distributed solar (via Greentech Media)
Algae-to-crude company Sapphire Energy pays of US government loan guarantee (via Green Car Congress)
UCLA scientists double efficiency of novel solar cell (via Phys.org)
ENERGY POLICY
Senate nears first big energy bill since 2007 (via The Hill)
Deloitte: Energy deals tumble 30% from 2012 activity (via Houston Chronicle)
FERC says JPMorgan manipulated power prices in 2010-2011 (via USA Today)
GRID
Demand response could double to 155.4GW worldwide by 2020 (via CleanTechnica)
NATURAL GAS/FRACKING
Natural gas plants account for 53% of new generation capacity in 2013 (via Facts of the Day)
North Dakota natural gas flaring equivalent to 1 million cars per year (via Climate Progress)
Federal government begins probe of Gulf gas well blowout (via Houston Chronicle)
BLM will lease rights for natural gas development in Ohio forest (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
CLIMATE
Study: Global warming puts South American water supplies at risk (via United Press International)
2013 shaping up to be one of Australia’s hottest years ever (via Renew Economy)
Study: sea-level rise threatens 1,400 US cities (via USA Today)
Cornell opens climate change and agriculture center (via Environmental Leader)
OIL
Shale threatens Saudi economy, warns prince (via Wall Street Journal)
Saudi prince says global oil markets are “in decline” (via RTCC)
Texas will continue to lead US oil boom (via Houston Chronicle)
Oil industry works to reduce flaring in North Dakota (via The Oklahoman)
Oil industry fights safety retrofit of older rail cars (via Houston Chronicle/AP)
BP’s Deepwater compensation fund running dry (via The Guardian)
As Texas drilling expands, so do fights over land rights (via StateImpact Texas)
TRANSPORTATION
Japanese carmakers partner to double public EV fast chargers (via Green Car Congress)
Tesla sets sights on fledgling China EV market (via TriplePundit)
Ford data shows its PHEV owners operate in electric mode 60% of the time (via Green Car Congress)
DOE Inspector General: Grants to EV charging company were “overly generous” (via The Hill)
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Commercial LED lighting revenue will reach $25 billion annually by 2021 (via Navigant Research)
DOE invests in energy efficiency for small buildings (via GreenBiz)
ENVIRONMENT
A smaller-than-predicted Dead Zone is still toxic for the Gulf of Mexico (via Time)
GREEN BUSINESS
Research says green corporate policies tied to brand strength (via Environmental Leader)
POLITICS
Some Republicans, not all, clamor for a vote against a carbon tax (via ClimateWire)
EPA chief takes climate push on the road (via The Hill)
Political ad targets Cuccinelli fight with climate scientist (via Washington Post)
OPINION
The consequences of affordable green energy options (via Washington Post)
Flood, rebuild, repeat: Are we ready for a Superstorm Sandy every other year? (via Grist)
Renewables only marginally more expensive (via Breaking Energy)
How fit are feed-in tariffs? (via Renewable Energy World)
How bracing for superstorms will reshape New York City (via Forbes)