Today's Climate

Shareholders Challenge Big Oil Efforts to Kill CA Climate Law

Shareholders have filed resolutions with three oil companies asking for their boards of directors to review political spending in light of their support for overturning California’s climate law.

Reuters

Analysis: Cleantech Opportunities Return After Dismal Year

Green energy opportunities are emerging after dismal returns this year, led by a buoyant solar industry and government renewable energy targets.

Reuters

Barton Hits EPA on Clear Air Rule Costs

The top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee is accusing EPA of rolling out pollution rules that will cost industries billions without fully weighing the economic effects.

The Hill

Europe Switches to Plan B in New China-US Climate Pitch

Europe pushed China, the U.S. and a host of emerging powers on Thursday to extend a soon-to-expire deal to combat global warming at crunch talks in Mexico.

AFP

BLM Moves On Round 2 of Colorado, Utah Oil Shale Deals

Nominations for three more leases of federal land in Colorado and Utah for oil shale research are advancing for more review, the BLM said Wednesday.

Washington Post

Pennsylvania Republican Promises Tax Break for Natural Gas Industry

Tom Corbett, a Republican who is well ahead in the race for governor, says he will undo a Democratic initiative to impose a drilling tax on natural gas industry.

Guardian

Environmentalists Join Mountaintop Fray

Environmental groups from Appalachia moved Thursday to join the federal government in fighting an industry lawsuit that would weaken oversight of mountaintop coal mining.

New York Times

Government to Conduct Surprise Oil Rig Inspections

The U.S. offshore drilling agency will begin conducting surprise inspections on oil rigs, the agency’s head said on Thursday.

Reuters

U.S. Offshore Agency Excited Over Google Power Line

The U.S. offshore energy czar said Google Inc’s surprising decision to get involved in wind energy is an exciting development.

Reuters

Oil Co. Says It Won’t Ship Big Loads All Decade

An oil company is denying an environmental group’s report that says huge loads of refinery equipment will be shipped over scenic U.S. 12 in the Rocky Mountains for the next decade.

AP

Shell Urges U.S. to Adopt North Sea Drilling Rules

Royal Dutch Shell urged the U.S. to adopt the tougher drilling rules applied in the North Sea, which it said could have helped prevent the mistakes that contributed to the BP disaster.

Reuters

U.S. Solar Companies Expect to Create 24,000 Jobs Next Year

A review of national solar employment said the number of workers in the industry will increase by 26%, representing nearly 24,000 net new jobs by August 2011.

SustainableIndustries

Plug-In Cars Pose Riddle for E.P.A.

Just two months before the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf enter showrooms, how the E.P.A. will measure the cars’ fuel economy remains a question.

New York Times

Walmart Sows Seeds for Sustainable Farming Revolution

Walmart yesterday hailed a “new era” in its approach to the agricultural sector, launching a new initiative designed to promote sustainable farming techniques among its suppliers.

BusinessGreen

Rich Must Make Clearer Climate Cuts: UN

Rich nations must spell out their plans for cutting carbon more clearly to enable UN talks in Mexico to agree the cornerstone of a pact to slow warming, the U.N.’s climate chief said.

Reuters

Europe Contemplates Raising Carbon Target to 30%

European environment ministers meet today to consider raising 2020 carbon cuts target from 20% to 30% against 1990 levels.

BusinessGreen

African Leaders Urged to Tackle Climate Change

African leaders came under pressure on Wednesday to take concrete actions against global warming at the African Development Forum in the Ethiopian capital, organisers said.

AFP

U.S. Clean Energy Sector Buffeted by U.S. Election Winds

U.S. business leaders, venture capitalists and government officials echo a similar concern: political uncertainty is roiling an industry once brimming with promise.

Reuters