Today's Climate: March 4, 2010

Coal-State Democrats Unveil Bills to Stall EPA Emissions Curbs (GreenWire)

Four coal-state Democrats introduced bills in the House and Senate today that would block U.S. EPA from implementing any climate-related stationary source rules for two years, a timeout they think gives Congress time to pass legislation to deal with the issue.

Wind Industry Slams Schumer's 'Buy American' Plan (The Hill)

The wind industry's major trade group has attacked legislation floated by Senate Democrats that would require stimulus-funded renewable power projects to rely on materials manufactured domestically, saying the proposal would kill 50,000 American jobs.

Sen. Lieberman on Climate Bill Prospects (Reuters)

Senate Republicans could withhold support of climate legislation if Democrats ram a healthcare reform bill through the Senate using fast-track procedures, Sen. Joseph Lieberman said.

'Missteps' Don’t Negate Climate Science, Obama Adviser Says (Bloomberg)

The disclosure of research "missteps" hasn't shaken the consensus that manmade emissions from burning fossil fuels are contributing to climate change, John Holdren, Pres. Obama’s top science adviser, said.

Utah: Nuclear Waste Burial Scrutinized (New York Times)

More than 10,000 drums of nuclear waste that have been buried in Utah are likely to include some material that is so radioactive state law forbids its burial, a report by the group Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah said.

Two Plans On the Way for Coastal Drilling Leases (Houston Chronicle)

Interior Secretary Salazar told a senate committee that he was preparing two plans for oil and gas drilling leases — one that would apply through June 30, 2012, and another completely new blueprint for leasing from July 1, 2012, until 2017.

Graham's Cap-And-Trade Pronouncement Reframes Hill Debate (Greenwire)

Despite Sen. Lindsey Graham's comment that cap and trade trade is "dead," carbon trading remains very much a part of the debate on what legislation will look like when the closed-door negotiations are finished.

Katrina Victims Seek to Sue Greenhouse Gas Emitters (AFP)

Victims of Hurricane Katrina are seeking to sue carbon gas-emitting multinationals for helping to fuel global warming and boosting the devastating 2005 storm, legal documents have shown.

From California, Chinese Solar Maker Looks East (Green Inc.)

Yingli, the Chinese solar module maker that captured nearly a third of the California market last year, has struck a deal to supply a New Jersey developer with more than 10 MW of photovoltaic panels.

China to Ban Sales of Inefficient Air Conditioners (Xinhua)

China's top economic planner said this week it would ban sales of energy-wasting air conditioners from June 1 by raising the market threshold based on their energy efficiency.