01/13/12 10:06am

Article By: energyNOW News Roundup

energyNOW! publishes a daily roundup of top news energy and environment stories from print and online outlets. Inclusion of stories does not mean endorsement.

RENEWABLES

Global solar capacity rose 54% to 28 gigawatts last year (via Bloomberg)

China’s renewables surge dampened by growth in coal consumption (via The Guardian)

Wind farm project off Atlantic City may produce energy by Labor Day 2013 (via Atlantic City Press)

Solar stocks rise on surging German installs, China growth (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

Proposal would raise Michigan’s renewable electricity goal to 25% by 2025 (via Detroit Free Press)

Japan develops renewables in quake zone (via Bloomberg)

TRANSPORTATION

Energy Secretary Chu estimates 70% drop in EV battery costs between 2008 and 2015 (via Autoblog Green)

IBM developing air battery with 500-mile range (via Autoblog Green)

Chrysler to begin natural-gas truck sales to fleets in 2012 (via Bloomberg BusinessWeek)

GM Volt battery fix part of an industry evolution (via Greentech Media)

Why 54.5 MPG rules will lead to a rebirth of US automakers (via GreenBiz)

INTERNATIONAL ENERGY ISSUES

EU moves toward agreement on details of Iran oil embargo (via Reuters)

Clean energy investment hits record in 2011 as US reclaims lead from China (via Forbes)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING

Foreign firms invest big in US energy boom (via CNN Money)

Natural gas falls to lowest price in a decade (via Houston Chronicle/Associated Press)

New York State gets 20,000 comments on its gas drilling rules by deadline (via GreenBiz)

CLIMATE/EMISSIONS/ENVIRONMENT

Florida counties unite to prepare for climate change (via Climate Central)

Chinese regions prepare for carbon trading as state mulls coal cap (via BusinessGreen)

America’s top 10 polluters (via Mother Jones)

Toward a national coastline policy (via New York Times)

Top investment firms begin assessing their portfolio’s climate risks (via GreenBiz)

VA high court hears U. Va. Climate records dispute (via Roanoke Times)

Groundbreaking new study shows how to reduce near-term global warming (via Climate Central)

GRID

Ten smart grid predictions for 2012 (via Earth2Tech)

One of world’s most advanced grid control systems quietly switches on (via Greenbang)

NUCLEAR

Getting ready to react to Fukushima (via New York Times)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

California proposes utility bills as latest efficiency investment tool (via Greentech Media)

Long-term energy efficiency potential (via GreenBiz)

California imposes energy-efficiency standards on battery chargers (via Los Angeles Times)

OIL SANDS/KEYSTONE XL

TransCanada: new Nebraska route for pipeline nearly done (via Lincoln Journal-Star)

POLITICS

Union chief: Congress controlled by ‘climate change deniers’ (via The Hill)

Chamber chief says energy can lead economy revival (via AOL Energy)

EPA sets stage for 2012 climate clashes (via National Journal)

Boxer urges SoCal Edison to expedite renewable energy projects (via Los Angeles Times)

Note: energyNOW!'s initial support comes from the American Clean Skies Foundation, which is funded in part by Chesapeake Energy. energyNOW! is editorially independent – neither the foundation nor its backers control what we say or do.

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