Today's Climate: October 15, 2009

US Aims for Bilateral Climate Deals with China, India (Guardian)

The Obama administration hopes to win new commitments to fight global warming from China and India in back-to-back summits next month, including an Indian plan to develop a carbon emissions trading system.

CBO Director: ACES Would Cause ‘Significant’ Job Shifts (Bloomberg)

The House-passed climate bill would lead to “significant shifts” in employment from high-carbon industries, such as refineries and coal plants, to low-carbon businesses, the head of the CBO says. He says the effect would be job loss during the transition.

Sen. Carper Suggests Bolstering NRC as Part of Climate Bill (ClimateWire)

A key Senate Democrat called for boosting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission as lawmakers began publicly hashing out a nuclear title for the Senate's version of a climate and energy bill.

Forged Climate Bill Lobbying Letters Went Unreported (AP)

The coal front group ACCCE and two contractors were aware that forged lobbying letters had been sent to three Congress member before a vote on the climate but didn't inform the lawmakers until after the vote, documents show.

Arctic Ice Thinning Faster Than Expected (Guardian)

A pioneering expedition to the north pole has confirmed that Arctic ice is thinner than expected, highlighting fears that the region could be free of ice in the summer within a few decades.

Biofuel Experimenters Starting to See Results (New York Times)

Across the U.S., start-ups and major corporations are trying to produce biofuel without relying on food crops. Congress has already guaranteed a market, and the companies have raised millions from investors. The results are starting to show.

Canada Announces Second Carbon Capture Project (AFP)

The governments of Canada and Alberta announced $779 million in funding for a second project to capture carbon emissions in western Canada — home to the tar sands.

Judge Overturns Montana Water Rules for Drilling (AP)

A federal judge overturned water quality rules meant to protect Montana farmland from natural gas drilling. Wyoming declared the rules were a threat to energy production.

Stopping Gas Leaks a Cheap Way to Curb Climate Change (New York Times)

While government programs encourage companies to curb methane emissions from gas and oil wells, pipelines and tanks, aggressive efforts to stop the leaks are far from industry norm. Three trillion cubic feet of methane leak into the air each year.

Gates Pledges $120 Millions to Assist African, Indian Farming (AFP)

Bill Gates plans to unveil grants today totaling $120 million to promote dynamic, home-grown, sustainable agriculture in Africa and India, including water management.