Thursday, November 19, 2009 9:45 AM
Need-To-Know Memo, Nov. 19
By Amy Harder, NationalJournal.com
1) President Obama's top adviser on climate and energy issues, Carol Browner, maintained Wednesday that the administration is sticking to its goal of passing comprehensive climate change legislation that includes a cap-and-trade system, despite staunch resistance from Republicans and some Democrats in Congress (Environment & Energy Daily -- subscription). Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of senators is researching another option that would cap emissions of power plants only (Greenwire).
2) "The United States and China have agreed to cooperate on developing an inventory of China's greenhouse gas emissions." Environmental groups see this as a step forward, but some conservatives argue that it's not realistic to expect an accurate report from China, even if the U.S. does help (Washington Post).
3) "Wind turbines, solar panels and hydropower stations won't be built fast enough to keep pace with global electricity demand through 2030," according to an International Energy Agency forecast. Consequently, coal-fired plants will increase their share of the energy mix, the agency said (Bloomberg News).
4) Identical bills recently introduced in both chambers of Congress would give more tax credits to the solar industry, on top of the subsidies in this year's stimulus package. The bills' sponsors say that the legislation would create more domestic manufacturing jobs (The Hill).
5) Scientists and evangelical leaders are taking to the Hill this week to urge senators to support action on climate change. Their top targets include Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., who said last week he couldn't vote for the climate bill currently on the table (The Guardian).
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