Today's Climate: November 17, 2009

Obama: Copenhagen Deal Should Have 'Immediate Effect' (Reuters)

President Obama said today that climate talks in Copenhagen next month should fix a new deal which has "immediate operational effect", even if an original goal of a legally binding pact is out of reach.

Senate Climate Bill Faces Narrow Window for Action in 2010 (ClimateWire)

Next November's midterm elections loom large, leaving the climate bill sponsors until about the end of March to notch the 60 votes necessary to get their bill through the Senate.

Lula Calls Out Rich Nations on Climate Change, Hunger (Brazzil Magazine)

At the FAO conference, where the heads of the world’s wealthiest countries were conspicuously absent, Brazil’s president declared that rich nations give too little attention to world hunger, and he accused them of sabotaging poor nations' agriculture.

Europe’s Utilities Investing Less in Renewables, Smart Grid (Greentech)

The recession has cut power sales, and European utilities are investing less in renewable power and the smart grid as a result, even though they need to invest more to meet goals, a report from consulting firm Capgemini says.

Russia Takes Steps to Reduce Gas Flaring (EurActiv)

Russia has ordered oil companies to cut their gas flaring to no more than 5%. A report suggests oil companies could cuts greenhouse gas emissions 10-15% through reduced flaring and venting, energy efficiency and fuel switching in refineries.

Sens. Alexander, Webb Unveil Plan to Double US Nuclear Power (Reuters)

Republican Lamar Alexander and Democrat Jim Webb unveiled a new energy bill that would provide $100 billion in loan guarantees for carbon-free electricity projects, a move aimed at doubling the nation's nuclear energy capacity.

US Nuclear 'Renaissance' Held Up by DOE, OMB Spat (ClimateWire)

The awards of $18.5 billion in federal loan guarantees for new nuclear plant projects remain held up by an ongoing dispute over the financial risk the new reactors pose for the government and taxpayers, according to industry and government officials.

Thailand Offers Tax Breaks to Encourage CDM Investment (Business Green)

Thailand will exempt revenue from carbon credit trades from corporate taxes in a bid to encourage manufacturers to invest in emission reduction projects under the UN's clean development mechanism.

First Solar Expects Feed-In Tariff for China Plant (Dow Jones)

Electricity from First Solar's planned 2GW solar power plant in China's Inner Mongolia will likely be priced via a feed-in tariff structure, which company officials hopeful the government will set by the end of the year.

First Energy Bank to Build $1B Saudi Solar Plant (Reuters)

Bahrain-based First Energy Bank plans to build a $1 billion polysilicon plant in Saudi Arabia to rising regional investments in solar power. The region is trying to capture more of its solar and wind energy, thereby reducing its own consumption of oil.