Today’s Climate: August 11, 2009

Alaska Lawmakers Override Palin Energy Veto (AP)

In a final spat with former Gov. Sarah Palin, the Alaska Legislature voted to override her veto of $28.6 million in federal stimulus funds intended for energy efficiency projects.

India Says Developing World Not Split in Climate Talks (Reuters)

Bilateral agreements between nations are no solution to global warming and could trigger unwelcome competitive pressures, India’s climate negotiator said in reference to separate U.S. deals with China and other developing countries.

TVA Plans Dry Coal Ash Storage for all Sites (AP)

The Tennessee Valley Authority is preparing to convert all of its coal waste and gypsum operations to dry storage in the wake of a massive ash spill from a retention pond last year in Tennessee.

North American Cooperation on Climate Change (Reuters)

Pres. Obama said the U.S., Canada and Mexico have agreed to cooperate on a series of climate measures, including building the infrastructure for cap and trade and making the aviation sector "carbon neutral."

Green Jobs in U.S. Set for Recovery, Says Labor Secretary (AP)

Hiring in the clean energy industry will pick up in the next 12 months, though it will take more time before green jobs will become a bigger part of the U.S. job market, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said.

Renewable Power Industry Says U.S. Moving Too Slowly (Reuters)

At the National Clean Energy Summit in Nevada, renewable energy leaders said the U.S. is moving too slowly to turn the economy green, despite support from the Obama administration. 

Indonesia Counts Trees to Prepare for Carbon Market (Bloomberg)

Indonesia, owner of the Earth’s second-largest tropical forests, is counting its trees with satellites and on-the-ground observers to prepare for earning money in carbon markets by protecting woodlands.

Italy’s Largest PV Plant Goes Live (Cleantech Group)

Electric utility Enel’s newest solar plant in Italy, the nation’s largest, is expected to generate more than 7 million kilowatt hours per year, enough for the power needs of 2,700 households.

Climate Change an Australian ‘Security Threat’ (AFP)

Australia faces more intense and frequent heatwaves, wildfires, cyclones and floods, with climate change becoming a threat to national security, a think tank warned today.

New Zealand: Electric Cars To Be Exempt from Road User Charges (National Business Review)

Electric cars will be exempt from road user charges for four years in New Zealand under legislation passed by Parliament.

Echelon Wins First Major U.S. Smart Meter Contract from Duke (GreenBeat)

Smart meter maker Echelon has landed a $15.8 million contract from Duke Energy that would allow the North Carolina-based utility to deploy more than 120,000 meters across its service area.

Study Finds Consumers Ready to Pay for Electrical Grid Upgrades (Environmental Leader)

Fifty-seven percent of Americans agree that the nation’s electrical grid infrastructure should be upgraded to support new generation and further deployment of new energy technologies, according to a new study.

In Cold Northeast, Officials Consider Limiting Furnace Emissions (Greenwire)

Eleven Eastern governors are expected to approve a blueprint for slashing CO2 emissions from cars — and perhaps home furnaces — before January, potentially sparking a widespread shift to residential heaters that burn wood pellets.

GM Admits Volt Doubts (Autocar)

GM has cast doubt over the long-term future of its electric Chevy Volt, claiming it may not be commercially viable and other rivals may overtake it with more advanced technology.

Wyoming Joins Western States in Growing Oilseeds (AP)

Wyoming’s agriculture industry is looking at the oilseed crops camelina, canola and sunflowers as part of an effort to diversify farming and produce the seed stock for biofuel.