May 21, 2008
Coal Groups, Voinovich Try to Stymie Climate Bill (Politico)
Sen. Voinovich (R-Ohio) has drafted legislation that calls for tax breaks for Big Coal so companies can invest in nuclear and carbon capture and storage. If that doesn’t slash emissions levels by 2030, only then can cap-and-trade be put into effect.
House Votes to Allow Suit Against OPEC(Los Angeles Times)
Over the Bush administration's objections, the House has overwhelmingly approved legislation that would allow the Justice Department to sue OPEC for manipulating world oil markets.
Polar Bear Plan Must Fight Global Warming (AP)
Green groups have sued the feds over the Interior Department's listing of the polar bear as a "threatened" species, saying the agency's refusal to include steps against global warming violates the Endangered Species Act.
New Trend in Biofuels Has New Risks (New York Times)
Scientists are now warning that so-called second-generation biofuels made from non-food crops, such as reeds and wild grasses, are often invasive species -- and they may wreak economic and ecological havoc on the world, too.
US CO2 Emissions Up 1.6 percent in 2007 (AP)
America's CO2 emissions increased by 1.6 percent last year, with most coming from residential and commercial energy use, a new estimate by the EIA has shown.
Honda to Sell New Gas-Electric Hybrid Next Year (Los Angeles Times)
Honda will sell a new, improved and affordable gas-electric hybrid in the U.S., Japan and Europe starting in early 2009, the company president has announced.
New Ocean-Mapping Satellite Primed for June Launch (Space.com)
NASA and France are preparing to launch a new satellite on June 21 -- the Jason 2 spacecraft -- to map Earth's rising sea levels and study their link to climate change.
China's Power Plants Running Out of Coal (AP in Forbes)
For the second time in three months, Chinese power plants are running out of coal, with less than a three-day supply in some areas, the government has said, adding to China's logistical headaches following its devastating earthquake.
