This piece does a good job laying out the pros and cons of the most common crude oil transportation methods – rail, pipeline, truck and boat. “So it depends upon what your definition is for worse. Is it death and destruction? Is it amount of oil released? Is it land area or water volume contaminated? Is it habitat destroyed? Is it CO2 emitted?” [Forbes]

Solar City is teaming up with Carrier to provide homeowners with incentives to power their HVAC systems with solar panels. “The cost savings that customers realize by using solar power and more efficient HVAC help to offset the costs of switching to a cleaner, more comfortable indoor air solution. [carriersolarcity.com]

The last time an energy-focused bill hit the senate floor was reportedly in 2007. That will change this week when bipartisan energy-efficiency legislation will be debated. But the debate has already moved beyond energy efficiency – which is hard to disagree on – to ancillary “riders” that could be attached, including one related to the Keystone XL pipeline. “We hope that it passes, but if it passes with unacceptable riders, then it will be headed to the watery depths,” said White House energy and climate chief John Podesta. [The Hill]