Hope, but No Advances, in China-U.S. Climate Talks (New York Times)
Five days of talks aimed at bringing China and the United States closer on climate issues did not yield substantial progress, according to a Congressional delegation that met with environmental officials and the country’s top leaders this week.
Senate To Follow House Lead on Climate Legislation (CQ)
A group of about 25 Democratic senators has started to lay the groundwork for moving climate legislation through their chamber. They have been meeting every Tuesday to build consensus and apparently intend to follow the House’s lead.
Map of Arctic’s Black Gold Could Stoke International Strife (Guardian)
The battle for the Arctic’s hidden mineral riches is likely to intensify with a new survey revealing the energy reserves present beneath the ice. About 30% of the world’s unexploited gas and 13% of oil lie under the seas around the north pole.
Study: Global Warming Causes 300,000 Deaths a Year (Guardian)
The study from former UN chief Kofi Annan’s think tank compares the climate change impact on rich and poor countries: Nearly 98% of people seriously affected and 90% of economic losses are in developing countries.
Green Annual Reporting Standards Edge Closer (Business Green)
As the international Climate Disclosure Standards Board works on reporting rules, it argues that shareholders must have access to environmental and sustainability information.
Vilsack Calls Timeout on Logging in Pristine Forest Areas (Los Angeles Times)
The Agriculture Secretary declared that no new timber-cutting or road project could begin in roadless areas of national forests without his permission. The move effectively blocks planned timber sales in Tongass National Forest in Alaska.
REDD Could Help Save What’s Left of Borneo Forests (Reuters)
Nearly 60 percent of remaining forests in Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan province could be saved by a U.N.-backed scheme that aims to save forests in return for valuable carbon credits, the provincial governor said today.
SD Streamlines Interconnection Rules for Renewable Power (Argus Leader)
South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission approved interconnection rules that simplify who can connect to the electric grid and how, cutting some of the regulatory challenge of distributed generation.
West Virginia Halts New Coal Slurry Injections (AP)
The states’ DEP ruled that coal slurry will not be allowed to be injected at new underground sites, however, mine operators will be allowed to continue pumping a mix of chemicals, coal and dirt into about 15 existing locations.
China Drafts Environment Rules for Overseas Investments (China Daily)
Chinese companies investing abroad will be asked to improve their environmental standards under guidelines drafted by the government, China Daily reported today.
Chinese Solar Stocks Soar as Earnings Plummet (New York Times)
Chinese solar equipment manufacturers have taken a big hit in the economic downturn. But you wouldn’t know it from the way their stock values have been performing lately.
Top 10 Solar Utilities (Fortune)
A solar industry trade group’s Top 10 solar integrated utilities list starts off with California, but it also shows that solar’s reach is extending beyond the Golden State to places like New York and New Jersey.
