Today's Climate: May 18, 2009

House Climate Bill Faces Senate Headwinds (Roll Call)

A breakthrough in the House has given a comprehensive climate bill a jolt of momentum as it heads to markup in the Energy and Commerce Committee today, but it still may not be enough to break the logjam in the Senate.

Thinktanks Seek Funds for Clean Tech in Poor Countries (Guardian)

Members of the Global Climate Network are gathering in London this week to establish a policy to fund action to fight global warming by targeting low-carbon technologies for poor countries.

Biofuels Battle: Bills Push Back Against New Ethanol Rules (Wall Street Journal)

Biofuel defenders are howling about the Obama administration’s new environmental standards, which take into account the “indirect” environmental effects of growing more crops for fuel, and they're pushing back by proposing bills.

UK Pressed for Inquiry Into Nuclear Plant Construction (Guardian)

The British government is under growing pressure to hold a public inquiry into building new nuclear stations amid claims that the current system of "justification" is fatally flawed.

Contempt of Congress: GOP Reveals Disdain for Clean Energy (Climate Progress)

The GOP’s list of 450 planned amendments to the Waxman-Markey climate bill during the markup this week goes beyond principled opposition to petty politics.

Krugman: Waxman-Markey is Better than Nothing (New York Times)

The environmental community is struggling with how much it’s willing to bend to get legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Waxman-Markey is disappointing in some respects, but it’s action we can take now, Paul Krugman writes.

Changes in the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill (NRDC)

The House Energy and Commerce Committee starts a week-long marathon today to pass long-overdue clean energy and climate legislation. Here’s a survey of what’s changed between the 648 page draft and the 932-page bill that was introduced.

As Alaska Glaciers Melt, Land Rises (New York Times)

Relieved of billions of tons of glacial weight, the land has risen so fast around Juneau that the rising seas — a ubiquitous byproduct of global warming — cannot keep pace. As a result, the relative sea level is falling.

EPA clears 42 of 48 Mountaintop Mining Permits (Charleston Gazette)

The Obama administration has cleared more than three-dozen new mountaintop removal permits for issuance by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, drawing quick criticism from environmental groups who hoped the new president would halt the practice.

Australia to Build World's Largest Solar Energy Plant (Reuters)

Australia plans to build the world's largest solar power station with an output of 1000 megawatts, a $1.4 billion investment, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced.

California Plans Polluter Fees (San Diego Union Tribune)