Climate News Live

Carbon credits reach the local farmer.

"On Earth Day this year, Brookston farmer Bob Leader visited Senator Richard Lugar's central Indiana farm, discussing with Lugar and members of the Chicago Climate Exchange issues facing no-till and forestry practices.  One of those matters was the growing trend of farmers and landowners enrolling in carbon credit programs brokered by the CCX, or Chicago Climate Exchange, which pay those who engage in no-till farming, plant trees and operate animal waste systems that capture methane - all of which involve storing or sequestering harmful carbon emissions scientists say contribute to global warming."

The Herald Journal, July 25, 2007. 

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New San Diego regulation works toward reducing emissions by limiting engine idling of city vehicles.  "San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders announced a new regulation Thursday that will limit the engine idling of city vehicles. Under the plan, vehicles owned and leased by every city department should be turned off when not in operation. The regulation applies to police and fire department vehicles as well, unless they are responding to an emergency, the mayor said." 

NBC SanDiego, June 7, 2007.  http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/13462920/detail.html

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Environmental group sends Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley a clean-energy message.  "Maryland could curb greenhouse gas emissions believed to cause global warming by more than 20 percent by encouraging less driving, more energy-efficient buildings and household appliances, and greater use of biofuels, a coalition of environmental groups said yesterday."

Washington Post, June 7, 2007. 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/06/AR2007060602251.html

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Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) responds to the concerns raised by some of the States over draft energy bill.  "In a letter to state officials, the Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, who will play a crucial role in climate change discussions, sought to deflect growing criticism of a climate bill he helped write and indicated he was open to changing the legislation. But Dingell defended the national emissions standards the measure would impose on automakers." 

The Hill, June 8, 2007. 

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/dingell-responds-to-bill-critics-2007-06-08.html

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Coalitions are being formalized to push a serious reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.  "A coalition of elected officials, industry and environmental groups has announced a major long- term plan to promote energy independence in the Upper Midwest. The group says the goal is to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region over the next 50 years." 

Minnesota Public Radio, June 6, 2007. 

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/06/06/roadmap/

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Bank of America launches new $20 billion lending initiative.  "Bank of America has launched a $20 billion program to fight global warming over the next decade by financing companies creating low-emissions technology, lending money for green building projects and creating the ability for customers to trade carbon credits. The bank will spend $18 billion on commercial green lending and finance while another $2 billion will be spent on consumer programs and efforts to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact of its own operations." 

Asheville Citizen-Times, June 10, 2007. 

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770608101

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Group of influential technology companies are looking at ways to improve efficiency for computers and servers.  "The plan aims to cut the amount of electricity computers consume in half by 2010 using existing power-saving technologies. Currently, the average PC wastes about half of the power it consumes, while the average server squanders about one-third, officials said.
"Let's create a more efficient IT industry by driving up the efficiency of computers," said Pat Gelsinger, senior vice president for Intel's Digital Enterprise Group. "We think we can have huge savings in terms of carbon footprint and energy costs."  The initiative is expected to save more than $5.5 billion in electricity costs by 2010 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change by 54 million tons annually _ an amount equal to eliminating 11 million cars or 20 large coal-fired power plants each year, company officials said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/12/AR2007061201730.html

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Comprehensive energy legislation has trade groups from all sectors interested.  "Kicking off what's expected to be a long-winded summer on energy issues, the Senate started debating an energy bill intended to curb gasoline consumption and push cleaner fuels for electric power plants. But it's not likely to reduce near-record high gasoline prices anytime soon.  But the bill faces pressure from muscular lobby groups, including car makers that oppose tightening efficiency standards for cars and trucks, coal-mining companies that want to promote liquid fuels made from coal as an alternative to ethanol-based fuels, and oil companies, which claim proposals to curb gasoline "price gouging" might actually increase prices during future oil shortages."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118169203599833140-search.html?KEYWORDS=%22climate+change%22&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month

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The coal industry has expressed its concerns to congressional leadership over potential solutions to global warming.  As the public policy debate heats up, what is the coal's industry preferred solutions?  "The U.S. mining industry -- particularly coal -- has been in 'defense' mode ever since Democrats took congressional leadership in the midterm elections, according to a National Mining Association official.  Dan Gerkin, senior vice president of government and political affairs for the organization, said the industry must continue to underscore the potential for advanced coal technologies to meet climate change concerns, yet deter lawmakers from enacting immediate measures to cap greenhouse gas emissions from coal." 

Jackson Hole Star Tribune, July 1, 2007. 

http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2007/07/01/news/business/7504dd85c742ae688725730a002101c3.txt

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Bringing economic prosperity back to West Texas, alternative energy offers dollars and jobs.  "West Texas held its own economically for decades. But since the 1980s the region has seen population dwindle and economy shrivel….The region long known for sheep and goats, cattle feedyards, cotton fields and oil derricks is evolving into a hub of alternative energy, with plans for ethanol plants and wind farms, and possible nuclear reactors and coal-powered plants." 

The Houston Chronicle, July 4, 2007.  http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4943779.html

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Changing climate will impact important state infrastructure.  "Many of Alaska’s roads, runways, railroads and water and sewer systems will wear out more quickly and cost more to repair or replace because of climate change, according to a study released [June 27].  Higher temperatures, melting permafrost, a reduction in polar ice and increased flooding are expected to raise the repair and replacement cost of thousands of infrastructure projects as much as $6.1 billion for a total of nearly $40 billion — about a 20 percent increase — from now to 2030, according to the study, by the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage."

The New York Times, June 28, 2007. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/28/us/28climate.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

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Is South Carolina committed to addressing climate change issues, or is the State only putting on a show?  "A committee formed by Gov. Mark Sanford to address climate change took a small step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions Wednesday, when members accepted compact fluorescent light bulbs from Progress Energy Vice President Emerson Gower.  The task of crafting statewide policies on climate change won't be as easy as changing a light bulb, but the token gift from committee member Gower highlighted the role conservation could play." 

The Post and Courier, June 28, 2007.  http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/jun/28/climate_dialogue_starts_under_new_light/

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To cope with higher gas prices, Europeans sacrifice power. Are Americans willing to do the same?

"While auto advertisements increasingly tout fuel efficiency -- General Motors Corp. flaunts the fuel economy of its Chevrolet Silverado pickup, even though the truck doesn't get better than 21 mpg -- consumers still appear to put a priority on size and power. In a recent Consumer Reports survey, 70% said they plan to seek a more fuel-efficient vehicle, but only about half said they would sacrifice size or performance in that quest. Even as gasoline prices have jumped to record levels within the past month, some analysts say sales of large sport-utility vehicles have held up because auto makers have boosted discounts -- effectively rebating to customers the increased cost of the gasoline to fuel their machines."
Wall Street Journal

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In another sign that private interests are outpacing federal lawmakers, a coalition of leading investment banks takes the next step towards self-regulation.  "The group of more than 10 banks – including ABN Amro, Barclays Capital, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley – agreed a standard for “carbon offsets” bought by companies and individuals to cancel out the negative effects of their activities on the climate.  The banks agreed to base their so-called voluntary offset standard on a system of checks set up by the UN under the Kyoto protocol. Companies selling offsets based on the standard will have their operations checked by independent third parties to deter fraud. "

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/8f475dda-24d0-11dc-bf47-000b5df10621.html

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Mayors call on Congress to support local emissions reduction efforts.  "The U.S. Conference of Mayors concluded its annual meeting June 26 with calls for stronger federal action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to provide new sources of funding for local government efforts to boost energy efficiency.  The mayors...endorsed an 80 percent cut in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, based on 1990 levels."

BNA Daily Report for Executives, June 27, 2007.  http://pubs.bna.com/ip/bna/der.nsf/eh/a0b4t3b9x8

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Legislation to ensure funding for alternative energy projects has stalled. 

"Considering that it's been before the state Legislature since late April, Gov. Ed Rendell's ambitious energy security plan has made only limited progress...Rendell and his surrogates have been traveling around the state campaigning hard for adoption of his energy plan. Rendell wants to further aid development of alternative energy sources in the state and ease expected electricity rate increases in two to three years." 

The Patriot-News.  July 6, 2007.  

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Iowa takes steps to control emissions; joins the Climate Registry. 

"Iowa is joining with more than 30 other states to come up with a common system to measure greenhouse gas emissions, which is a step toward finding ways to reduce emissions.  The states are part of a newly created group called The Climate Registry. Companies in participating states can choose to have their emissions tracked." 

Globe Gazette, July 6, 2007. 

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Governor Schwarzenegger has appointed Mary Nichols to retake the reigns of the Board. 

"Mary Nichols will take over the embattled Air Resources Board, which she chaired 30 years ago under Gov. Jerry Brown. She also served as secretary of resources under Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and as a high-ranking environmental official in the Clinton administration.  Her appointment follows the recent departure of two top board officials who both complained publicly that meddling by the Schwarzenegger administration on behalf of business interests limited their ability to adopt effective regulations for curbing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality." 

Los Angeles Times, July 5, 2007.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-air4jul04,1,5699294.story

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