Today's Climate: July 16, 2009

UK Orders Green Energy Revolution (Guardian)

The British government seized control of key levers in the energy sector, including allocation of electricity grid connections, in an attempt to kickstart a stalling "green energy" revolution and head off the threats of global warming and a rundown in North Sea oil.

Locke: China Emissions Cap an Open Question (Reuters)

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, in Beijing, left open the possibility that China might not have to accept a hard cap on its greenhouse gas emissions under a new global climate change treaty.

Power Industry Infighting Heats Up Over Climate Legislation (New York Times)

The feuding clans of the electric power industry are quarreling over newer ground: which of them most deserves the free carbon emission allotments that would be distributed if the House-passed climate bill became law.

Asian Nations Could Outpace US in Clean Energy (Washington Post)

Asian nations are pouring money into renewable energy industries, funding research and development and setting ambitious targets for renewable energy use. Their plans could outpace the programs in Obama's economic stimulus package and proposed in the House climate bill.

Industry Chiefs Call for Sector Approach to Climate Change (EurActiv)

The EU could raise its 2020 objective of slashing emissions from 20% to 30%, but only if an international agreement is struck to spread obligations evenly among the global community, writes the European Round Table of Industrialists, an influential group of CEOs.

Group Seeks to Ban Coal Slurry Injections (Register-Herald)

A West Virginia activist group branded the state Department of Environmental Protection “incompetent” and called for an immediate halt to coal slurry injection, saying the disposal technique contaminates drinking water.

California Sets Pace for Rooftop Solar Power (New York Times)

A decade ago, only 500 rooftops in California boasted solar panels that harvest the sun’s energy. Today, there are nearly 50,000 solar-panel installations in the state totaling some 500 MW, according to a report being issued today.

UK Carbon Plan Requires Cuts in Agriculture Emissions (Business Green)

The UK's new carbon budgets require around 5 percent of emission cuts by 2020 to come from farming, and land and waste management efforts.

US Senators Seek Climate Bill Analysis for Farmers (Reuters)

Two Republican senators are pressing the administration ahead of an Agriculture Committee hearing next week for a detailed analysis how much climate change legislation would cost U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Pennsylvania Invests $23M to Quadruple Solar Capacity (Cleantech)

Gov. Ed Rendell announced $23 million to boost Pennsylvania's solar industry, including $5.5 million to a solar photovoltaic plant that would more than triple the state's installed energy generating capacity.