Mars Fights to Protect Earth from Big Coal

Merkel's Party May Delay Solar Subsidy Cut (Bloomberg) 

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats and their allies will propose a cut in subsidies for solar power from rooftop panels by 16% from June 1, instead of April 1, the Mitteldeutsche Zeitung newspaper said.

A Federal Climate Service Is Created to Provide Data (New York Times)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will create a new climate change unit to gather and provide data to governments, industry and academia as part of a federal effort to prepare for long-term changes to the planet, officials said.

Bolivia Expects 5,000 Foreigners at Climate Forum (AP) 

Bolivia's government said it expects thousands of activists, environmentalists and scientists to travel to the nation in April for its "alternative" conference on climate change, set up in response to Copenhagen's failure to produce a binding treaty.

UN Climate Panel Reviews Dutch Sea Level Glitch (Reuters)

The UN's panel of climate experts said it was reviewing whether it wrongly said that more than half of the Netherlands is below sea level in a new glitch after exaggerating the thaw of Himalayan glaciers. 

Australian Carbon Trading Plan More Cost Effective (Bloomberg) 

Australia's cap-and-trade bill would cost $1.3 billion during the first four years, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. That makes it more cost-effective than the opposition's alternative proposal, which carries a price tag of $2.8 billion over the same period.

EU ETS Intervention Call Howled Down (Carbon Positive)

A call by British politicians for intervention in the EU carbon market to lift the "flat-lining" price of carbon has drawn cautionary and critical responses from the government, Brussels and carbon market players. 

Coal Ad Blitz Launches New Spot as Industry Sees Political Gains (Greenwire)

An advertising campaign that previously pushed the phrase "clean coal" launches new spots this week focused on jobs and low-cost power, the latest offering in a $120 million effort to sell Washington on coal's future.

Michigan Approves Grants for Offshore Wind Research (AP)

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved two grants totaling about $1.7 million for studying the development of offshore wind technologies in the state.

Caterpillar Joins FutureGen Clean Coal Alliance (Reuters)

Caterpillar said it will join the FutureGen Alliance to build a $1.5 billion 'clean' coal plant to produce hydrogen and electricity while capturing and sequestering CO2 underground in Mattoon, Illinois. 

Explosion Unlikely to Slow Gas Plant Development (AP)

The Connecticut explosion that killed five people won't slow the development of natural gas power plants. But it will likely lead to more scrutiny of a technique used to clear air from gas lines.

Nuclear Giant Areva buys Solar Company Ausra (Reuters)

The world's largest nuclear plant builder, Areva SA, is diversifying into solar power with the aim of becoming an industry leader, as it acquires U.S.-based solar thermal player Ausra, the company announced.

The Electric Taxi, Courtesy of Ford (Greentech Media) 

Ford has unveiled its new TransitConnect at the Chicago Auto Show, an all-electric fleet car that will drive 80 miles on a charge and hit a top speed of 75 miles an hour.

Britain Launches Labeling for Green Power Tariffs (Reuters)

Britain has launched a scheme to certify and label electricity produced by green means so as to help consumers and small businesses choose tariffs to support suppliers doing more to cut carbon emissions than obliged.

China Releases First National Pollution Census (AP)

China said Tuesday that its first national pollution census has mapped more than 5 million sources of industrial, residential and agricultural waste throughout the country.

Global Warming an Olympic Worry, Says Rogge (AFP)

Global warming is starting to worry the International Olympic Committee, and the group's president, Jacques Rogge, said it would be a key issue examined in awarding any future Winter Olympics.