Analysis: Petroleum exports wiping out U.S. climate gains

CLIMATE: A UN report says adapting to climate change will cost three times as much as previously thought. (The Guardian)

ALSO: An analysis finds exports of petroleum products are wiping out U.S. emissions gains. (Associated Press)

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HYDRO: Could Iowa really get as much energy from hydropower as it does from wind? (Midwest Energy News)

SOLAR: Another round begins in the U.S.-China solar fight, a Michigan solar plant announces another wave of hiring, and a new report ranks state solar policies. (ClimateWire, MLive, NRDC Switchboard)

OIL AND GAS:
• New safety standards for North Dakota oil are expected to be approved today. (Reuters)
• A short documentary explores the problem of exploding rail cars. (InsideClimate News)
• Ohio’s top producing wells are located in two counties. (Columbus Business First)
• Ohio is seeing a boom in pipeline construction. (Toledo Blade)

WIND: Another study finds no scientific link between wind farms and health claims, and Koch-backed groups push against renewal of the production tax credit. (RenewEconomy, Washington Post)

ETHANOL: Chicago’s city council advances a plan to allow E15 sales in the city. (Chicago Tribune)

EFFICIENCY: Significant energy savings from smart meters are still many years away, and Chicago expands energy-efficiency efforts. (New York Times, Chicago Tribune)

NUCLEAR: A decision is expected on a proposed Canadian nuclear waste dump by mid-2015. (Great Lakes Echo)

BIOENERGY: A 1.4 MW biodigester is planned for a Michigan dairy. (MLive)

POLLUTION: The EPA approves Iowa’s plan to reduce particulate pollution in Muscatine. Background information here. (Muscatine Journal, Midwest Energy News archive)

COMMENTARY: An opponent of a Wisconsin transmission line says the state should be focused on becoming ​“energy independent” instead. (Madison Capital Times)