12/30/11 10:55am

Article By: energyNOW News Roundup

energyNOW! publishes a daily roundup of top news and opinion on energy and the environment. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement.

CLIMATE/ENVIRONMENT/EMISSIONS

Judge blocks California's low-carbon fuel rules (via The Los Angeles Times)

OIL/GASOLINE/DRILLING

Gulf Lease Sales Will Reduce U.S. Oil Dependence, Agency Finds (via Bloomberg)

Oil Prices Predicted to Stay Above $100 a Barrel Through Next Year (via The New York Times)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Eagle Ford gas boom luring builders (via Fuel Fix)

Oh, Canada’s Become a Home for Record Fracking (via Pro Publica)

Fracking Ban Threats Seen Hollow in Calfrac Bonds: Canada Credit (via Bloomberg)

Bitter Twist in Louisiana Family’s Long Drilling Fight (via The New York Times)

Analyst: More Chesapeake deals likely (via Pittsburgh Business Times)

Oklahoma shows it has energy in 2011 (via News OK)

KEYSTONE XL/OIL SANDS

Iran threats add new dimension to Keystone XL debate (via Fuel Fix)

Nebraska provides TransCanada with map identifying Sandhills Regions to be avoided in designing alternative route for Keystone XL pipeline (via Green Car Congress)

Majority in U.S. support Keystone pipeline project, poll finds (via Calgalry Herald)

NUCLEAR

As Nuclear Plants Age, No Easy Energy Solutions (via NPR)

POLITICS

Donations flowed to Gingrich’s nonprofit after he shifted on energy issues in 2008 (via The Washington Post)

GOP candidates urged to accept climate change by scientists (via The Hill's E2 Wire)

Arnold Schwarzenegger's green road back (via Politico)

Hillary Clinton’s Energy Strategist (via Energy Biz)

WIND/SOLAR/RENEWABLES

LS Power, Columbia Energy Get Approval for Renewable Projects (via Bloomberg)

U.S. Proposes Wind, Solar Leasing Rule on Federally Owned Land (via Bloomberg)

Wind-Tower Makers From China, Vietnam Draw Rivals’ U.S. Petition (via Bloomberg)

Dong Energy’s 97-Turbine German North Sea Wind Park Approved (via Bloomberg)

China Proceeds on Plan for Disputed Yangtze Dam (via The New York Times)

EFFICIENCY/LIGHT BULBS

Consumers have more options to reduce energy bills (via USA Today)

Despite GOP opposition, light bulb standards will phase in on Jan. 1 (via The Hill's E2 Wire)

AUTOS/TRANSPORTATION

Fisker officially recalls 239 Karmas over battery safety issue (via Autoblog Green)

Natural gas pumps coming to more filling stations (via USA Today)

ETHANOL/BIOFUELS

$6 billion-a-year ethanol subsidy dies -- but wait there's more (via MSNBC)

GREEN TECH

U.S. Military Tests Out Green Tech In Afghanistan (via NPR)

ENERGY MARKETS

Record Surge in CO2 Credits May Hamper Rebound: Energy Markets (via Bloomberg)

OPINION/ANALYSIS

What the Frack? Is there really 100 years’ worth of natural gas beneath the United States? (via Slate Magazine)

4 Sustainability Trends That Will Shape 2012 (via Green Biz)

Mercury Battle Looms in Senate (via National Journal)

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These are just some of the stories we're following today. Be sure to check our Twitter & Facebook for any breaking news or stories that aren't on this list.