Today’s Climate: June 25, 2010

Judge Refuses to Delay Ruling on Gulf Drilling Ban (AP)

A federal judge who overturned a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling imposed after the Gulf oil spill refused Thursday to put his ruling on hold while the government appeals.

U.S. Reviews BP’s Alaska Project Plans (Reuters)

The U.S. government is reviewing BP’s Alaska drilling plans after a report that the company’s project did not receive proper environmental oversight, a senior official said on Thursday.

BP Continues to Use Surface Dispersants in Gulf Despite EPA Directive (Greenwire)

BP has applied 272,000 gallons of dispersants to the surface of the Gulf of Mexico in the four weeks since EPA directed the company to stop using the chemicals, except "in rare cases," according to government records.

Green Group Defends Exec’s Role on Oil Spill Commission (The Hill)

The Natural Resources Defense Council said Thursday that it has taken robust measures to ensure its president’s role on a White House-created commission probing the BP oil spill doesn’t create conflicts of interest.

Caribbean Storms Strengthen, May Disrupt BP Gulf of Mexico Spill Cleanup (Bloomberg)

The first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season has a 60% chance of forming this weekend, with one computer model indicating it could head into the Gulf of Mexico where BP has a flotilla of vessels trying to clean up an oil spill.

Democrats Still Divided on Energy Bill (Wall Street Journal)

Senate Democrats on Thursday sought to build support within their caucus for an energy and climate bill but emerged from a closed-door meeting without agreement on a vital issue: the need to impose a price on CO2 emissions.

As Ethanol Booms, Critics Warn of Environmental Effect (New York Times)

Scrambling to find a silver lining to the dark cloud of oil in the Gulf of Mexico, ethanol advocacy groups are pressing for more government support for the biofuel industry, with advertising campaigns targeted at lawmakers in Washington.

Climate Change Debate to Get Radical Overhaul (Toronto Star)

World leaders will give final approval on a plan to radically overhaul the global climate change debate at G20 summit meetings in Toronto this weekend in the hope of breaking the deadlock in talks for a global warming treaty, the Toronto Star has learned.

UN Talks Chief ‘Appalled’ Over Climate Change Response (AFP)

Outgoing UN climate chief Yvo de Boer said Thursday he was "appalled" at the international community’s response to climate change, after the failure of last year’s Copenhagen summit on global warming.

Major Australia Investors Urge Quick Action on Climate (Reuters)

A group of major investors on Friday urged Australia’s new Prime Minister Julia Gillard to take swift action to fight climate change and cut carbon emissions.

Regulators OK Voluntary Rail Yard Emission Cuts (AP)

State air regulators on Thursday approved a set of voluntary pollution cuts at the dirtiest rail yards in Southern California despite overwhelming objections from residents, local air regulators, port officials and environmental groups who called the agreement weak.

Danish Pension Funds Oppose Spanish Solar Power Cuts (Bloomberg)

Spain’s plans to reduce the revenue of solar plants may deter investors from holding any securities backed by the Spanish state, three Danish pension funds said in a letter to the government.

Thin Solar Panels to Be Built in Southwest Idaho (AP)

A company formed by Boise-based Micron Technology Inc. and Origin Energy of Australia says it plans to start making extremely thin but highly efficient solar cells that will be available next year.

San Diego Gas & Electric Approved for Time-of-Use EV Charging Pilot (Greentech Media)

Today the California Public Utilities Commission approved a nearly two-year pilot project for residential rates for plug-in electric vehicle charging for San Diego Gas & Electric.

Red Sea Oil Spill Not Caused By Rigs, Egypt’s Oil Ministry Says (Bloomberg)

The Egyptian Oil Ministry said crude oil that washed ashore at a major Red Sea beach resort area was leaked by a passing tanker or may have seeped from the ground due to a heat wave, but was not from any of its rigs.