Climate News Roundup: June 30 - July 3, 2008

Kristina Haddad — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:05:00 -0400

Friday, June 27, 2008

FEDERAL POLICY: Court says no deadline for EPA on global warming. A federal appeals court refused Thursday to make a resistant Bush administration speed up a decision on whether greenhouse gases and global warming threaten public health and welfare. Associated Press. 27 June 2008.

STATE POLICY (CA): State renews climate battle. California's next great experiment starts today. The state Air Resources Board will outline this morning a plan to slash greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2020 and prepare the state for much deeper cuts in the years beyond. Sacramento Bee, California. 27 June 2008.

CANADA - TARGETS: Greenhouse gas reductions within reach, B. C. premier says. British Columbia is well on its way to achieving its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and if world oil prices remain as high as they are, the province will have no trouble hitting that target, says Premier Gordon Campbell. Canadian Press. 27 June 2008.

FEDERAL POLICY - SOLAR: Citing need for assessments, U.S. freezes solar energy projects. Faced with a surge in the number of proposed solar power plants, the federal government has placed a moratorium on new solar projects on public land until it studies their environmental impact, expected to take two years. New York Times. 27 June 2008. [Registration Required]

STATE POLICY (WI): Global warming plan approved. Wisconsin utilities should slash greenhouse gas levels to nearly three-quarters of 1990 levels by tracking emissions, considering nuclear power and joining cap-and-trade programs, Gov. Jim Doyle's global warming task force recommended Thursday. Associated Press. 27 June 2008

EU - AIRLINE EMISSIONS: EU reaches landmark deal to cap airline emissions. The European Union reached a landmark agreement Thursday to cap emissions from aircraft, raising the stakes in an increasingly ferocious battle with the United States over how to regulate global greenhouse gases. International Herald Tribune. 27 June 2008.

G8 CLIMATE TALKS: Climate breakthrough unlikely at G8 summit - UK envoy. G8 rich nations and major emerging economies probably won't achieve a big breakthrough in talks on global warming in Japan next month, Britain's climate envoy said on Thursday, echoing other forecasts for modest progress at best. Reuters. 27 June 2008.

POST-KYOTO: Climate change - France heads into the labyrinth. When France takes over the European Union's rotating presidency, one of its key challenges will be to get all 27 member states to approve the European Commission's proposal aimed at fighting global warming by reducing carbon-dioxide emissions. Bangkok Nation, Thailand. 27 June 2008.

UK - RENEWABLE ENERGY: UK's Brown launches "green revolution" energy plan. Britain set out plans on Thursday for a tenfold increase in renewable energy within 12 years in a scheme welcomed for its ambition but criticised for lacking concrete policies to cut carbon emissions and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Reuters. 27 June 2008.

GREEN CITIES - DIESEL: Clean Trucks Program is OK'd. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Thursday signed the controversial Clean Trucks Program, which aims to reduce big rig diesel emissions by 80 percent within five years Los Angeles Daily Breeze, California. 27 June 2008.

Monday, June 30, 2008

FEDERAL POLICY: White House Fights To Edit EPA Document On Emissions Regulations 6/30/2008 - The White House is fighting an intense private battle with officials at the Environmental Protection Agency to prevent the publication of a document that could become the legal roadmap for regulation of greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S. economy, according to people close to the matter. Senior White House officials are eager to prevent the original document from being published because it is in opposition to their belief that regulating emissions could create major policy havoc. For more read Clean Technology Investor 6/30/08

UK TARGETS: Study Says UK Energy Bills To Rise 20% By 2020 To Meet CO2 Target 6/30/2008 - U.K. domestic gas and electricity bills will rise by at least 20% by 2020 to meet the carbon emissions reduction and renewable energy targets laid out by the government, but polling data shows the public isn't ready to meet this cost, a study published by consultancy Ernst and Young LLP Monday shows. The rise would mean GBP5.3 billion extra on annual domestic energy bills in 2020, equating to GBP213 a household based on current prices, the report said. There are four main reasons for the 20% increase, the report said. The government's renewable energy subsidy will account for a third of the increase. The installation of higher technology gas and electricity meters over the next 10 years, which the government believes will encourage households to save more energy, will add another third. For more read Clean Technology Investor 6/30/08

OFFSETS: Growth Of Offset Projects Anticipates Legal Change 6/30/2008 - Investors are diving into projects in the U.S. to cancel out greenhouse-gas emissions, a year or more away from the creation of nationwide climate-change regulation. Regional caps on emissions of heat-trapping gases and confidence in the eventual creation of a large federal emissions market are driving the development of projects, such as capturing landfill gases or planting forests to soak up carbon dioxide, that were rare here just a few years ago. "We are heavily concentrated on the U.S.," said Mauricio Vargas, chief executive of GE AES Greenhouse Gas Services. "We think that's the best market opportunity today." For more read Clean Technology Investor 6/30/08

CANADA - RENEWABLES: Canadian Senate Bill Allowing Renewable Fuels Mandate 6/30/2008 - The Canadian Senate voted in favor of the government's biofuels bill Thursday. The amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act will give the government authority to develop regulations for renewable fuels mandating a 5% renewable content in gasoline by 2010 and 2% renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil by 2012. Canada's renewable fuels strategy will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 4 megatons per year, according to the government's press release - or the equivalent of taking about one million cars off the road. For more read Clean Technology Investor 6/30/08

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

ALT FUELS: Prince Charles's Aston Martin is wine powered. The Prince of Wales has reduced his motoring emissions by running his 38-year-old Aston Martin, a 21st birthday present from the Queen, on fuel made entirely from English wine. London Daily Telegraph, England. 1 July 2008.

CARBON STORAGE: Carbon-storage partnership formed. The Kentucky Geological Survey and three energy companies have formed a partnership to test storing carbon dioxide permanently underground. Louisville Courier-Journal, Kentucky. 1 July 2008.

STATES POLICY (CA): Governor entices Tesla to build cars in Bay Area. In a surprise move, Tesla Motors will build its electric-car factory in the Bay Area, not New Mexico as previously announced, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Monday. San Jose Mercury News, California. 1 July 2008.

CARBON STORAGE: Experts urge states to invest in CO2 carbon capture and storage. Capturing and storing carbon emissions from power generation holds the key to managing climate change amid rising use of polluting oil, gas and coal, an international CO2 conference heard in The Hague on Monday. Agence France-Presse. 1 July 2008.

UK - CARBON STORAGE: Government puts carbon capture on fast track. The government has stepped up the pace of change in the battle against global warming by announcing a shortlist of bidders for its carbon capture and storage demonstration project and outlining a proposed new legislative framework for "clean coal". London Guardian, England. 1 July 2008

STATES LEGAL - COAL (GA): Judge: reduce CO2 or don't build coal plant. In a ruling believed to be unprecedented, a Georgia judge halted the construction of a coal-fired power plant because it had not made provisions for reducing its emissions of carbon dioxide. The Daily Green. 1 July 2008.

INDIA CLIMATE PLAN: India unveils plan to combat climate change. India's prime minister announced a plan Monday to combat global warming by focusing on renewable energy, even as he stood by a refusal to commit to greenhouse gas emission targets that could stall the country's economic growth. Associated Press. 1 July 2008.

ELECTRIC CAR INFASTRUCTURE: Israel Corp. Transfers $15.5M To Electric Car Recharging Project 7/1/2008 - Israel Corp. Ltd. said Monday it has transferred $15.5 million to its electric car venture Project Better Place, a U.S.-based company working to develop networks of charging stations for electric cars in various cities, including Tel Aviv. Israel Corp. said this transfer followed a review by its board of Project Better Place's budget and plan to raise further funds. The transfer was based on an agreement signed in January, in which Israel Corp. will give a total of $100 million to Project Better Place over the next few years. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/1/08

OIL MARKET: IEA Says World Oil Market To Tighten Over 5 Years 7/1/2008 - The world will find itself increasingly pressed over the next five years to produce enough oil to meet surging consumption, the Paris-based International Energy Agency warned Tuesday in an assessment gloomy for those hoping conditions may soon ease to bring down record-high oil prices. In its annual medium-term outlook, which forecasts conditions through to 2013, the agency said that it sees world oil supplies tightening more than it previously expected due to sluggish growth even though higher oil prices and weaker economic growth are set to trim demand. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/1/08

FEDERAL POLICY - LOANS/NUCLEAR: DOE Solicits $30.5 Billion In Clean Energy Loan Guarantees 7/1/2008 - The U.S. Department of Energy on Monday solicited $30.5 billion for clean energy loan guarantees. The guarantees will boost the nuclear power and renewable energy industries as part of the Bush administration's effort to encourage projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The DOE is soliciting $18.5 billion for nuclear power projects, $10 billion in renewable energy and advanced transmission and distribution projects, and $2 billion for advanced nuclear power projects, which refers to the next generation of nuclear power. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/1/08

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

STATE POLICY (CA): State's car shoppers to get information on emissions. All new cars for sale in California starting with 2009 models will be required to display a window sticker indicating how the vehicle's greenhouse gas emissions compare with other vehicles of the same model year. San Jose Mercury News, California. 2 July 2008.

GREEN INVESTMENT: Renewable energy is 'green gold-rush'. Buoyed by soaring fossil-fuel prices and concerns over the carbon dioxide emissions, investment in clean energy last year rose three times faster then predicted by the United Nations, to $148 billion. Reuters. 2 July 2008.

EDUCATION/RESEARCH: Princeton gets a $100 million gift. Princeton University plans to announce a $100 million gift today that will establish a major new engineering center to tackle the issues of energy and the environment, with a strong focus on climate change. Philadelphia Inquirer, Pennsylvania. 2 July 2008. [Registration Required]

WESTERN GOVERNORS: Huntsman calls for climate change plan to rival Kennedy moon challenge. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is challenging the Western Governors Association to put together a comprehensive energy and climate change blueprint that the group can present to the next U.S. president, in hopes of driving the nation's energy future. Salt Lake Tribune, Utah. 2 July 2008.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

CANADA/U.S. EMISSIONS: Canada, U.S., worst in climate-change ranking. Canada and the U.S. are the worst countries in the G8 when it comes to taking effective measures to forestall the risk of rapid and uncontrolled climate change, according to an assessment of the major industrialized countries compiled by a European-based environmental consulting firm. Toronto Globe and Mail, Ontario. 3 July 2008.

FEDERAL POLICY: Bush makes final push for global climate deal. In his final months in office, President Bush is mounting a last-ditch effort to forge a new global deal to limit greenhouse-gas emissions but finds himself once again at odds with much of the rest of the world on how to address climate change. Washington Post. 3 July 2008. [Registration Required]

COAL: Old King Coal. Converting coal to gas before burning it is plausible, but finding an economical way to dispose of the carbon dioxide besides venting it is, to put it mildly, an ambitious goal. Forbes. 3 July 2008.

IMPACTS: Penguin population plunge points to climate havoc . Penguin populations have plummeted at a key breeding colony in Argentina, mirroring declines in many species of the marine flightless birds due to climate change, pollution and other factors, a study shows. Reuters. 3 July 2008.

FINANCE: World Bank approves climate funds before G8 summit. The World Bank on Tuesday agreed to establish two investment funds to help developing economies switch to clean-energy technologies to curb carbon emissions and help poor countries adapt to climate change. Reuters. 3 July 2008.

UK EMISSIONS: CO2 emissions up by nearly a fifth in 12 years. Carbon dioxide emissions caused by UK consumers increased by almost a fifth between 1992 and 2004, research revealed today. London Independent, England. 3 July 2008.

STATE POLICY (CA): ARB's greenhouse gas plan raises questions among enviros, others. The draft blueprint released last week by the state Air Resources Board to curb California's climate-changing pollution is a worthy effort but has a number of weaknesses that could limit the landmark law's ultimate effectiveness, critics note. Sacramento Capitol Weekly, California. 3 July 2008.

STATE POLICY - SOLAR (CA): California ballot: betting on big solar. This November, Californians will have a chance to try to settle questions about how to harness renewable energy sources and how to pay for it as they vote on the Solar and Clean Energy Act of 2008. Sacramento News and Review, California. 3 July 2008.

STATE POLICY (NJ): DEP late to report emissions response, wants a few more. A report detailing how New Jersey is going to reduce 80 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions over the next four years has been delayed, state environmental officials confirmed Wednesday. Bergen County Record, New Jersey. 3 July 2008.

STATE POLICY (MA): State starts a green era. Governor Deval Patrick signed a landmark energy bill yesterday that does away with long-standing obstacles to building renewable power projects in Massachusetts and making homes and businesses more energy efficient. Boston Globe, Massachusetts. 3 July 2008.

AUSTRALIA - EMISSIONS TRADING: Australia Moves Closer To Emissions Trading Scheme 7/3/2008 - Australia will this month embark on the biggest structural change of the economy in decades as it takes the first steps toward introducing a domestic emissions trading system by 2010. Australia contributes only around 1.5% of global emissions, but tops the U.S. on a per person basis due to its heavy reliance on hydrocarbons for power generation. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/1/08

COAL: E.ON Has 3 New Projects For Low CO2 Coal-Fired Plants 7/3/2008 - German energy company E.ON AG said Tuesday it has three new pilot projects for carbon capture and storage, or CCS, technology for low carbon-dioxide coal-fired plants. "We are working at full steam to make coal capture and storage technology commercially available by 2020," Chief Executive Wulf Bernotat told journalists Tuesday. Bernotat added his company aims to invest around EUR100 million in its total of seven CCS technology projects by 2014. CCS is the storage of carbon dioxide in rock formations, which prevents CO2 from entering the atmosphere and causing global warming. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/3/08

UK/CHINA PARTNERSHIP: UK, China Environmental Groups Team Up To Tackle China CO2 Emissions 7/3/2008 - U.K. and Chinese government-backed environmental groups joined forces Wednesday to explore ways to reduce carbon emissions in China by focusing on the global supply chain of Chinese goods and services. The U.K.'s Carbon Trust, an independent company set up by the government to speed up the move to a low carbon economy, and the China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation, a state-owned enterprise set up by the Chinese State Council, are to collaborate on a series of carbon foot print studies that will measure total carbon dioxide emitted by Chinese businesses: from manufacturing a product to delivering the product to its final consumer. The joint venture expects to establish a carbon-labeling program for Chinese products and also promote investment in commercially viable and clean energy opportunities for emerging businesses and technologies in general. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/3/08

CHINA - G8: China Sticks To Its Guns On Emissions Ahead Of G8 Meeting 7/3/2008 - China said Thursday it was eager to discuss "long-term goals" on fighting climate change at the G8 summit but stuck to its position that rich nations must lead on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, AFP reports. "We are ready to discuss the establishment of a long-term global goal to cope with climate change including sustainable development, emissions reductions and efforts to tackle climate change," said Chinese official Su Wei. Su, head of the climate change department in China's top economic planning agency, gave no specifics. China and the United States are the world's top sources of the industrial and other emissions blamed for global warming, an issue expected to top the agenda at the G8 meeting next week in Japan. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/3/08

FEDERAL POLICY - SOLAR: US Government Agency Reverses Moratorium On Solar Power Proposals 7/3/2008 - The federal government is again accepting applications to build new solar power plants on public land, reversing a previous moratorium on new projects, a key agency said Wednesday. The Bureau of Land Management said it will keep its doors open for new proposals while it studies how large solar plants might affect the environment of undeveloped areas of California and the Southwest. The agency had said last week it would put a hold on new applications pending its environmental review. "By continuing to accept and process new applications for solar energy projects, we will aggressively help meet growing interest in renewable energy sources, while ensuring environmental protections," James Caswell, the agency's director, said in a statement. For more read Clean Technology Investor 7/3/08

MSW-TO-ETHANOL: Edmonton to site first MSW-to-ethanol facility The city of Edmonton, Alberta, ethanol producer GreenField Ethanol (Toronto, Ont.), and biofuel technology developer Enerkem (Montreal, Quebec) have signed an agreement to construct and operate a facility designed to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into ethanol-the first of its kind in the world, according to the parties. The $70 million facility will have an initial production capacity of 36 million liters per year. The city of Edmonton and the government of Alberta, through the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI), are contributing $20 million to the facility, and Edmonton will also contribute $50 million to a related processing and research facility. Climate Change Business Journal.

Renewables

Climate News Roundup: June 30 - July 3, 2008

Friday, June 27, 2008

Monday, June 30, 2008

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Thursday, June 26, 2008