The world faces a looming “cold crunch”, with demand for air conditioning and refrigeration growing so fast that it threatens to smash pledges and targets for global warming. [The Guardian]

Duke Energy said it would buy natural gas distributor Piedmont Natural Gas, its partner in the $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline, for $4.9 billion. [USA Today]

Energy storage is gaining more investment and interest while regulators are moving to require its inclusion in renewable energy developments and wholesale electricity markets. [The NY Times]