June 25, 2008

Texas Governor Trying to Slash Ethanol Production (AP)

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, supported by US livestock producers concerned about rising feed prices, stepped up his effort yesterday to pressure the federal government to cut ethanol production requirements in half.

Intelligence Report Assesses Impact of Climate Change (US News & World Report)

The US intelligence community has completed a first-ever classified analysis of the national security threats posed by climate change, part of which will be presented to Congress today.

Carbon-Credit Schemes Fall 30% Short of Projections (Guardian)

The vast majority of schemes that sell carbon credits to offset pollution are delivering 30% less than they promise, according to a new report published today by ratings company Ideacarbon.

Floods and Droughts Make Mild Diseases Deadly (Reuters)

Extreme floods and droughts brought on by climate change can turn normally harmless infections into significant threats, creating a "one-two punch" that can devastate populations of wildlife or livestock, new research has found.

Offshore Wind Finally Coming Stateside (Earth2Tech)

Bluewater Wind is on its way to building what will likely be America’s first offshore wind farm. The farm, sited off the coast of Delaware, will have 150 turbines and an energy capacity of over 400 megawatts.

New Jersey Dealing With Solar Policy’s Success (New York Times)

Demand for solar is booming. And New Jersey, which has used a rebate program to help install more solar panels than any other state but California, is now getting burned by its own success -- and a backlog of more than 700 applications.

Branson Would Pay Aviation Carbon Emissions Tax (USA Today)

Virgin Group chairman Richard Branson has said that he is willing to pay carbon emissions taxes on his aviation business to fight climate change, a move that the airline industry has vehemently rejected.

Opinion: Biofuels Put Bucks Over Ducks (Christian Science Monitor)

The US Agriculture Department is expected to help keep the struggling corn ethanol industry afloat by letting farmers plow up land set aside for wildlife.