Energy and Environment News Roundup – 5.16.12

This post was originally published on Marcacci Communications, which provides a daily roundup of energy and climate news and opinion. Inclusion of articles does not mean endorsement. Client relationships are disclosed where applicable.

GRID 

Smart grid management systems to top $1bn by 2020 (via SmartPlanet)

Participation in net-metering programs increased sharply in recent years (via US EIA)

US electricity regulators worry electric grid vulnerable to solar storm (via Wall Street Journal)

CPUC on verge of major decision about solar net metering (via Greentech Media)

NATURAL GAS/FRACKING 

Total gas leak operation begins as Elgin North Sea platform (via The Guardian)

Two more North American LNG export projects planned (via Reuters)

Prospect of LNG export boom vexes both political parties (via E&E Daily)

Feds punt on leadership over fracking rules, experts say (via InsideClimate News)

RENEWABLES 

Saudi Arabia launches massive renewable program with hybrid FITs (via Renewable Energy World)

Global geothermal investment could surge to $5.89bn by 2017 (via Revmodo)

US solar firms clash as decision on China import tariffs looms (via BusinessGreen)

Small wind farms to grow as US tax incentives expand (via Bloomberg)

PJM region shines with one gigawatt of solar power (via Energy Central)

Green energy CEOs to face loan questions from Congress (via The Hill)

Biggest CPV plant in US now on grid in Colorado (via Greentech Media)

Long Island gets solar feed-in tariff (via Sustainable Business)

TRANSPORTATION 

10 airlines snub Europe’s emissions rule (via New York Times)

Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid is third-quickest selling vehicle in US (via PlugIn Cars)

Just how big can car-sharing get? (via Washington Post)

What’s killing the electric car? The price of batteries (via Good)

New York leads on EV issues, but EVs have yet to follow (via New York Times)

California bullet train chief seeks environmental exceptions (via Los Angeles Times)

COAL 

White House says clean coal has future as energy source (via Politico)

EMISSIONS 

As austerity falters, European economists say “price carbon!” (via Mother Jones)

EU emissions fall as aviation carbon trading spat intensifies (via BusinessGreen)

EU airline carbon cash should help fill climate fund: Hedeegard (via Reuters)

OIL 

Obama challenges oil companies to drill existing leases on 46 million undeveloped acres (via Houston Chronicle)

North Dakota tops Alaska in oil output (via Wall Street Journal)

EFFICIENCY 

Telecom industry to shift more capital to energy efficiency (via Environmental Leader)

Beyond LEED certification: the importance of creating living buildings (via Fast Company)

KEYSTONE XL 

An interactive map of the Keystone XL pipeline in Texas (via StateImpact Texas)

OTHER NEWS

For additional energy and climate headlines, check out the daily news roundup at Climate Progress