May 20, 2008

EPA Leader Changes Mind on Greenhouse Gas Rules (Detroit Free Press)

The head of the EPA had favored giving CA at least a partial go-ahead for tough greenhouse gas rules for vehicles before changing his mind and blocking the law after talking to the White House, a new report has revealed.

Senator Promotes Bill to Freeze Ethanol Mandate (Reuters)

Texas Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has introduced legislation to freeze the federal mandate for corn-based ethanol at this year's current level of 9 billion gallons.

National Day of Action To Support Renewable Energy Tax Credit Extensions (Renewable Energy News)

Today, May 20, has been dubbed a US National Day of Action for renewable energy. Over 100 clean energy groups and companies are expected to lobby legislators to pass a House bill that would extend expiring tax credits for renewables.

More U.S. Spots See $4-a-Gallon Gasoline (Los Angeles Times)

The average price for a gallon of self-serve regular was over the $4-a-gallon mark in 15 metropolitan areas Monday, with Chicago and Long Island the newest members of the club, according to a survey released by AAA.

Boxer Briefs: Sen. Boxer Circulates Her Amendment to Lieberman-Warner (Gristmill)

Senate Environment and Public Works chair Barbara Boxer has released an outline of what promises to be the version of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act that actually gets debated and amended on the Senate floor in early June.

Carbon Trust "Could Do Better" (Reuters)

The UK-backed Carbon Trust's contribution to reducing the country's CO2 emissions is "pretty small beer," and it can do better, the UK Committee of Public Accounts has said in a new report.

Senators Durbin, Bond Ask Energy Department to Spare FutureGen (AP)

U.S. senators from Illinois and Missouri have urged the DOE to hold off on its plans to kill its deal with an alliance of big coal companies to build a giant clean coal plant.

Business Travelers Going Green (New York Times)

A growing number of business travelers are seeking out hotels that have adopted recycling, energy-efficient lighting and other green practices, according to a new survey by Deloitte.