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Climate Change.  A peer-reviewed study funded by the U.S. Department of Energy finds that oil extraction in Canada produces greenhouse-gas emissions that are 20% higher on average than those produced from conventional U.S. crude.  The authors note that as oil-sands products become a larger fraction of the U.S. fuel mix over the next 15 years, the U.S. well-to-wheel emissions for gasoline and diesel production are likely to increase.  WSJ

Climate Change.  Eduardo Porter asserts in the NY Times that President Obama’s climate change strategy lacks strong analytical foundations and is driven more by hope than by science.  He cites findings from various environmental experts — from top organizations like Greenpeace to economists at the University of Chicago — to demonstrate that policymakers’ preferred methods of combatting climate change are not supported by current data.  NY Times

Energy Policy.  Germany is forgoing plans to raise emissions charges for older coal-fired power stations at the request of its power sector, which warns that any levy would result in the closure of mines and plants, and potentially collapse the industry.  The move illustrates the challenge Berlin faces as it attempts to meet its ambitious targets to combat climate change, while also safeguarding jobs.  FT

Energy Outlook.  Adie Tomer of the Brookings Institute explains that demand for gasoline in the U.S. is relatively inelastic, resulting in a close correlation between the retail price of gas and the amount of money that the average American family spends on gas relative to other household expenses.  He argues that because gasoline prices are likely to increase over the longer term, the U.S. needs to find alternatives to driving in order to “dull” the economic impact of rising gas prices on other areas of the economy.  Brookings

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Energy Policy.  Iranian and Western officials announced publicly for the first time that they are willing to extend the June 30 deadline to negotiate a final nuclear deal.  Recent talks have stalled due to disagreements over key details of the deal — particularly concerning the proposed inspection process; however, the negotiating parties have stated that a final agreement remains likely in the next couple of weeks.  WSJ

Climate Change.  According to a new report from a leading British medical journal, more people will be exposed to floods, droughts, heat waves, and other extreme weather associated with climate change over the next century than previously thought.   The report analyzes the health effects of recent episodes of severe weather that scientists have linked to climate change, and concludes that the exposure of people to extreme rainfall, drought, and heat exposure will more than quadruple, triple, and increase by a factor of 12, respectively, in the coming decades.  NY Times

Oil.  Russia overtook Saudi Arabia as China’s largest supplier of crude oil for the first time in May as Moscow continues to strengthen its ties with the east.  China is likely to become the world’s biggest importer of crude — a position previously held by the U.S. — and is expected to maintain high levels of Russian imports over the next several years as long-term crude supply contracts take effect.  FT

Energy Policy.  William Pentland asserts in Forbes that the law of Florida discriminates against solar power companies by prohibiting sales of electricity by anyone other than government-sanctioned utility companies, regardless of the technology used to generate power. He argues that this hurts consumers, and advocates for a constitutional amendment — proposed by the “Floridians for Solar Choice” — that would remove the legal prohibition on non-utility retail sales of electricity and open the door to competition and consumer choice.  Forbes

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Energy Outlook.  The International Energy Agency reports that worldwide consumer demand for energy has risen in 2015, largely due to low oil prices and economic growth.  The report forecasts that world demand for oil will increase 1.4 million barrels per day this year — an upward adjustment of 300,000 barrels compared with previous forecasts — but does not predict that the increased demand will yield a boost to prices.  WSJ

Energy Policy.  A recent report from the Obama administration finds that reductions to U.S. carbon emissions would give a boost to labor productivity, lower electricity demand, and help avoid damages from coastal storms and wildfires in coming decades.  The report uses federal data to lay out a trajectory of health and economic payoffs that the administration expects from its proposals to curb greenhouse gas emissions from trucks, power plants, landfills, and oil wells.  Bloomberg

Electricity.  John Kemp of Reuters writes that power grids throughout North America set new records for reliability last year despite concerns regarding extreme cold temperatures and physical and cyber attacks. Kemp explains that increased investment and attention to operational standards over the last decade are largely responsible for reliability improvements, while demand-side management improvements have also helped to reduce stress on the grid during critical times.  Reuters

Energy Policy.  U.S. officials are increasingly concerned about political fallout that may occur if Greece declares bankruptcy, particularly as this may allow Russia to gain influence over Greece and sow new divisions among America’s European allies.  Concerns were amplified following Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ visit to St. Petersburg late last week to discuss energy diplomacy, which affirmed Greece’s willingness to look to Moscow as disputes with its international creditors intensify.  FT

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Energy Policy.   The Obama Administration proposed new carbon emissions standards for the trucking industry today which will require significant fuel efficiency improvements for new fleets of trucks built beginning in 2018.  The EPA estimates that the trucking industry will be able to recoup the costs that the standard will impose in two to six years, largely through fuel savings. WSJ

Oil.  The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that energy production companies were able to reduce their costs for both drilling activities and support activities in response to the plunge in oil prices over the past year.  Specifically, the producer price index — which tracks the rates that oil and natural gas service firms receive for goods and services used in producing oil and natural gas — declined by 19.6% for drilling activities and 1.4% for support activities.  EIA

Energy Policy.  The European Commission stated today that existing gas pipelines from Russia already more than meet the EU’s existing and future needs — a critical response to Russia’s recent negotiations with several Western energy companies to double the capacity of a pipeline to Germany.  Russia has claimed that the project would allow it to ship an extra 55 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe every year and reduce its dependence on Ukraine as a transit country; however, the Commission is skeptical given that existing pipeline routes from Russia are only running at 57% capacity.  WSJ

Climate Change.  Nick Butler of the Financial Times notes that although the recently leaked papal encyclical on the environment attributes greenhouse gas emissions to human activity, the document also includes text that undermines the credibility of science.  Butler asserts that the Pope’s call for a change in behavior is undoubtedly important, but would be more effective if it embraced the ability of science and technology to offer a solution to climate change moving forward.  FT

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Climate Change.  Pope Francis has aligned himself with mainstream scientific thought regarding climate change, warning about the dangers of “the ecological crisis” and calling for action to address global warming in the new papal encyclical on the environment.  Experts from the Pennsylvania State University note that the scientific evidence cited by the Church is correct for the most part —  at least to the degree possible in a religious document meant for such a broad audience.  NY Times

Energy Policy.  According to officials, Greece is expected to sign a preliminary agreement tomorrow that will allow Russia to extend a gas pipeline through its territory.  According to a chief executive from Russian state-controlled oil producer Gazprom, this creation of additional transport infrastructure will connect gas fields in northern Russia and markets in Europe, facilitating increased security and reliability of deliveries.  WSJ

EPA.  EPA defended its controversial renewable fuels program at a Senate subcommittee hearing today, addressing criticisms related to years-long delays of quotas and allegations that the agency recently set “unattainable targets” for the amount of corn-based ethanol and other biofuels that must be blended in the nation’s motor fuel supply over the next two years.  EPA acknowledged that quota delays created uncertainty within the ethanol market, but argued that the new standards are necessary to ensure the future growth of the renewable fuels industry.  Reuters