Today's Climate: June 6-7, 2009

Obama 'Optimistic' U.S. Can Lead on Climate Change (AFP)

Pres. Obama said he was increasingly hopeful that the U.S. can lead the way on climate change, six months before crunch global talks in Copenhagen.

China Rejects $21.5 Billion of Polluting Projects (Bloomberg)

China has rejected $21.5 billion worth of steel, petrochemicals and power projects in the past seven months out of concern they will worsen pollution.

EU: Poor Nations Need $142 Billion a Year in Climate Fight (Reuters)

The EU has laid out plans to deliver $142 billion a year by 2020 to developing nations to help them cut global warming emissions.

Developing Countries Could be Paid to Go Nuclear (New Scientist)

Draft text currently under negotiation at the Bonn climate talks includes an option to make nuclear facilities eligible for funding under two schemes meant to help poorer countries develop low-carbon technologies.

Mexico Promises CO2 Cuts, Activists Urge Consistency (AFP)

Pres. Felipe Calderon has promised to reduce Mexico's CO2 emissions by 50 million tons a year starting now as Greenpeace slammed the government for inconsistent energy policies.

Floating Wind Turbine Launched (BBC)

The world's first floating wind turbine, a 2.3-MW structure built by Siemens, is to be installed off Norway's coast this weekend. The technology could help move offshore wind farms out of sight.

Millions of Tons of TVA Coal Ash Coming to Ala. (AP)

Utility TVA plans to dispose of millions of tons of coal ash from a massive spill in Tennessee into a giant landfill in one of Alabama's poorest counties.

US Urged to Abandon Ageing Flood Defenses (Guardian)

The U.S. is being urged to abandon the outmoded "patch and pray" system of levees – whose failure magnified the devastation of Hurricane Katrina – and borrow from the Dutch model of dykes and water management.

PG&E Harnesses 230 MW Solar Project from NextLight (Cleantech.com)

PG&E has signed a contract with NextLight Renewable Power for 230 MWs of solar photovoltaic power, marking another addition to the California utility's string of solar deals.

Consumers Power Insists it Needs New Coal Plant (Detroit Free Press)

Consumers Energy said it "needs" to build a new 930-MW coal-fired power plant in Michigan even though alternative sources and efficiency can provide most of the new electricity it will need to produce in coming years.

Oil Sands Expected to Grow, but at Slower Pace than Previous Forecasts (The Canadian Press)

Canada's biggest energy group predicted that oil sands production will grow from last year's 1.2 million barrels per day to 2.9 million barrels in 2020, assuming the investment climate improves. That's a slower pace than previously forecast.