Today's Climate: October 14, 2009

Analysis: US Carbon Price to Hit $15 Under Boxer-Kerry (Business Green)

A new analysis by Point Carbon suggests that the carbon price in the Senate’s cap-and-trade plan is unlikely to rise much above the bill's proposed price floor.

Senators Say US Climate Bill Making Progress (Reuters)

Democratic senators pushing legislation on global warming say they’re making progress in winning support for the measure, expected to begin moving through key committees in late October and November.

EU to Propose Mandatory Energy Savings Goal (EurActiv)

The European Commission plans to impose binding energy-efficiency targets on EU member states, according to a draft of the EU's revised Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

Australia Facing Push to Exempt Farmers from Carbon Laws (Reuters)

Australia's government will be asked to exempt farmers from carbon trading in order to pass landmark emissions laws through parliament under changes being pushed by opposition lawmakers today.

Brazil's Lula Vows to Cut Amazon Deforestation 80% (AFP)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says he will offer to reduce the pace of deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rain forest by 80 percent by 2020 when he attends global climate talks in Copenhagen.

EU Countries Watching World Before Raising Climate Goals (EurActiv)

As climate change negotiations drag on, EU countries are calling for a "rigorous assessment" of what other nations are prepared to do before scaling up their own commitments.

Germany Can Expect Reduced Subsidies for Renewable Energy (COP15)

The most successful technologies, such as solar power, would be the first to see cuts under the new German government, an energy expert with Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats says.

Fla. Solar Plant to Open as Shadows Loom (Herald Tribune)

Florida has never seen anything like this: vast fields of clean renewable energy drawing young people with high-paying jobs in an emerging industry. Yet even as Florida Power & Light enters the renewable energy business, solar's future in Florida is in doubt.

Mountaintop Mining Hearings Draw Crowds, Conflict (AP)

Thousands of coal miners fearing the loss of jobs if mountaintop removal mining is curtailed or outlawed crowded public hearings in three states on the much-debated practice.

WBCSD: China, US Can Bridge Global Climate Divide (Reuters)

The United States and China could bring the world together on tackling climate change even though U.N. talks have been bogged down, members of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development said.

India Aims for Green GDP Alternative (Reuters)