Today's Climate: March 21, 2010

Senate Climate Bill to Give Free Permits: Sources (Reuters)

U.S. power generating companies would get free pollution permits, at least initially, as part of a compromise climate bill being written in the Senate that also would give the coal industry $10 billion to develop "clean" technology, sources said.

Offshore Drilling Revenue Sharing Takes Hold in Senate Climate Bill (ClimateWire)

Coastal states that agree to oil and gas drilling off their shores would be offered one-quarter of the revenue, under the latest draft of the new climate bill, sources on and off the Hill say.

U.S. States Sue EPA to Stop Greenhouse Gas Rules (Reuters)

At least 15 U.S. states have sued the EPA seeking to stop it from issuing rules controlling greenhouse gas emissions until it reexamines whether the pollution harms human health.

Environmental Groups Challenge Virginia's EPA Lawsuit (AP)

Two environmental groups are challenging Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli's legal action to block federal regulation of greenhouse gases.

Canada Has Warmest and Driest Winter on Record (Green Car Congress)

Environment Canada reported that the national average temperature for the winter 2009/2010 was 7.2 °F above normal, based on preliminary data, making this the warmest winter on record since nationwide records began in 1948.

Top Climate Officials Urge Progress at Mexico Summit (AFP)

The UN IPCC has listened to and learned from recent criticism, but the threat of global warming is real and must be tackled, the group's head said Saturday.

China Huaneng Aims to Produce 35% of Power From Clean Energy (Bloomberg)

China Huaneng Group, the nation's biggest power generator, is targeting a capacity to produce about 35% of its electricity from clean energy by 2020, as the country seeks to cut pollution, President Cao Peixi said.

UK: Energy Firms Could Be Forced to Buy Low-Carbon Power (Guardian)

The UK government will next week signal a move towards the introduction of a "low-carbon obligation" that would force British Gas and other suppliers of energy to buy a percentage of their power from nuclear and so-called "clean coal" plants.

Ontario Slaps New 'Green' Tax on Electricity Bills (Toronto Star)

Ontario electricity customers will soon be slapped with an additional tax to cover $53 million of the Liberal government's new conservation and green energy program.

Japan Planning 14 Nuclear Plants: Report (AFP)

Resource-poor Japan is planning to build at least 14 nuclear power plants over the next 20 years to reduce its reliance on other countries for its energy needs, a report said Sunday.

China Speeds Up Offshore Wind Power Construction (People's Daily)