Today’s Climate: April 15, 2010

Senate Leader Set to Take Command of Climate Bill (Climatewire)

The way the bill is being announced, some senators warn it attempt to circumvent the committee process if the Kerry-Graham-Lieberman proposal moves directly into Reid’s office.

Could Obama’s Supreme Court Pick Kill the Climate Bill? (Washington Post)

Sen. Lindsey Graham has a warning for President Obama: Pick your next Supreme Court nominee wisely or you might not get a climate bill this year.

GAO: Interior Royalty Collection Efforts Still a Mess (The Hill)

Getting royalty collections right is a big deal, because royalties from oil-and-gas production on federal lands are among the government’s biggest sources of non-tax revenue, generating over $6.5 billion last year despite slumping energy prices.

Environmental Groups Launch Oil Sands Trade Complaint (AFP)

Canadian and US environmental groups, as well as citizens, launched a NAFTA complaint alleging Ottawa is not enforcing its own rules by allowing oil sands miners to pollute area waterways.

Western Climate Group Sees Carbon at $33/Ton in 2020 (Reuters)

A cap-and-trade market in the Western U.S. and Canada expects carbon dioxide to trade for about $33 per ton in 2020, an economist says.

Source: Senate Climate Aims to End EPA and State Programs (Reuters)

Climate control legislation being developed in the U.S. Senate would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating carbon dioxide emissions and end state and regional "cap and trade" programs, a Senate source told Reuters.

Chinese Solar Firms Secure $11.7B in Government Loans (Business Green)

Two of China’s leading solar panel manufacturers have reportedly signed deals with the government-backed China Development Bank that could give them access to a total of $11.7 billion.

IBM Suppliers Must Track Environmental Data (New York Times)

IBM says it will require its 28,000 suppliers in more than 90 countries to install management systems to gather data on their energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and waste and recycling.

ECF Lays Out European Path to Renewables-Based Economy (EurActiv)

Europe could meet at least 80% of its energy needs from renewables by 2050 without paying more for electricity than it would by continuing with current fossil-fuel based infrastructure, according to a new report by the European Climate Foundation.

Indonesia to Revise Forest CO2 Revenue Rules (Reuters)

Indonesia will rewrite rules on how developers of forest preservation projects that earn valuable carbon credits must share their profits with the government and local communities, a finance ministry official said today.

Predicting Extinction (Mongabay)

Conservationists says the globe is headed for the Sixth Mass Extinction: Species populations worldwide are dropping due to pollution, climate change, poaching and hunting, overconsumption, invasive species and habitat loss.

The Dirtiest Plant in Chicago (NBC)

The Chicago City Council is finally attempting to force the aging Crawford and Fisk power plants to install scrubbers or shut down.

Transportation Secretary’s Bicycle Policy Runs into Road Rage (AP)

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a weekend bicyclist, might consider keeping his head down and his helmet on. A backlash is brewing over his new bicycling policy.