1) Climate change legislation is becoming less and less likely in the Senate this year. Some senators say that tackling another major reform effort right after health care is not realistic, while others are predicting financial regulation -- which could "move very quickly" -- will be up next. (CongressDailyAM -- subscription)

2) "The nation's energy producers, once united, are battling one another over" climate change legislation, specifically the costs related to a cap-and-trade system that industries could incur. Energy producers spent $200 million lobbying in the first half of this year, $26 million more than the same period last year. (New York Times) The fossil fuel industry is proving to be especially hard to win over. (Environment & Energy Daily -- subscription) Hunting and fishing groups are making their voices heard, too. (Reuters)

3) The debate over how to distribute greenhouse gas emissions allowances among regulated industries is a "central component of cap-and-trade legislation." The House-passed bill would auction off 15 percent while the Kerry-Boxer legislation increases that to 25 percent. The specific language on allocation, though, is largely blank right now, since the Finance Committee has jurisdiction over this area. (Environment & Energy Daily -- subscription)

4) An internal audit of the Energy Department has found that the agency has not properly tracked "whether manufacturers that give their appliances an Energy Star label have met the required specifications for energy efficiency." The new audit echoes similar concerns expressed in an Environmental Protection Agency released last December. (New York Times)

5) A new report shows that "the U.S., China and major economies around the world are still holding about 91 percent of the $177 billion in stimulus money promised for clean-energy development because most projects haven't been evaluated." The U.S. has spent 12 percent, while countries in the European Union have moved faster. (Bloomberg News)

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