Today’s Climate: April 16, 2010

Senate Climate Bill to Be Unveiled April 26 (Reuters)

A long-awaited compromise climate bill being drafted by Democratic Sen. John Kerry, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham and independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman will be unveiled on April 26, sources said on Thursday.

Manufacturing State Dems Lay Out Climate Bill Demands (The Hill)

Ten Senate Democrats offered the architects of climate legislation a detailed list of measures they say are needed to protect U.S. manufacturing, including a "firm price collar" on the cost of emissions and some free allowances for polluters.

Obama Blames Owner for West Virginia Mine Disaster (Reuters)

Pres. Obama on Thursday put primary blame for last week’s deadly West Virginia coal mine disaster on owner Massey Energy and called for better mine oversight nationwide to prevent more accidents.

White House: ‘No Support for a Gas Tax’ (Wall Street Journal)

The White House released a statement on Thursday knocking down claims that the coming climate and energy bill in the U.S. Senate will contain a new tax on gasoline.

U.S. Solar Capacity Surges in ’09 on Incentives: SEIA (Reuters)

Installed solar capacity in the U.S. jumped 37% in 2009, as state and federal incentive programs helped prop up demand during a downturn, solar advocates said in a report on Thursday.

China to Fight ‘World War’ Scale Climate Destruction (Bloomberg)

China, the biggest producer of greenhouse gases, vowed to "vigorously" develop a cleaner economy by using energy more efficiently and investing in research and development projects to cut carbon emissions.

UN Puts Price on China Emissions Effort (Wall Street Journal)

In the face of rising energy needs from a wave of unprecedented urbanization, China will have to spend up to $86 billion a year to reach ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, a UN report said.

UN Climate Adviser Seeks Top Post at UNFCCC (Xinhua)

Hungarian Janos Pasztor, who advises UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on climate change, has been nominated by Hungary’s president for the candidacy of executive secretary of the UNFCCC.

Pentagon Objections Hold Up Oregon Wind Farm (Washington Post)

The Pentagon is threatening to scuttle what promises to be the world’s largest wind farm, in eastern Oregon, arguing that the giant turbines could interfere with an Air Force radar system.

And the Heat Goes On: Warmest March on Record (AP)

Last month was the warmest March on record worldwide, based on records back to 1880, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported Thursday.

Rush for REDD Could Undermine Local Forest Rights (Reuters)

A UN-backed forest preservation scheme could become too valuable and complex, raising the risk local communities, the very people seen as key to the scheme’s success, could be shut out, scientists say.

Decision on Cape Cod Wind Project Due this Month (AP)

The Obama administration will decide this month after a nine-year review whether the nation’s first offshore wind farm should be built off Cape Cod.

World Bank’s IFC Issues $200M "Green" Bond (Reuters)

The International Finance Corp issued its first "green" bond on Thursday, which aims to reduce emissions through investments in clean projects like solar and wind farms and fixing inefficient power plants.