Today’s Climate: September 1, 2010

Court Ruling Gives Cape Wind Project Green Light to Build (Boston Globe)

A divided Supreme Judicial Court ruled yesterday that a state board had the power to sidestep community opposition to grant the controversial Cape Wind energy project local and state permits it needs to start construction off Cape Cod.

Reid Puts Renewables Mandate in Play (The Hill)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Tuesday a nationwide renewable electricity standard is "absolutely" in the mix as he tries to salvage energy legislation this year — possibly in a lame-duck session.

Murkowski Concedes Alaska Primary Race (AP)

Sen. Lisa Murkowski was booted from office in the Republican primary Tuesday by a little-known conservative lawyer in arguably the biggest political upset of the year.

Clean-Coal Group Backs New Carbon Capture And Storage Project (Dow Jones)

A group of coal and power companies said Tuesday that it has decided to stick with the government-backed FutureGen project to cut emissions from a coal-fired plant despite a significant change in plan.

Environmental Groups Want In On Texas-EPA Lawsuit (Sustainable Business)

Two environmental groups, the Environmental Defense Fund and the Environmental Integrity Project, are lending legal support to the U.S. EPA in its lawsuit with the State of Texas.

Drilling Agency Imposes Conflict-of-Interest Rules (AP)

The agency that oversees offshore drilling is imposing a first-ever ethics policy that bars inspectors from dealing with a company that employs a family member or personal friend.

Enbridge Says Pipeline Pressure Tests Show No Leaks (Bloomberg)

Enbridge Inc., which carries most of the oil imported to the U.S. from Canada, said no leaks were detected during pressure tests on a 13-mile segment of pipeline in Michigan that spilled oil last month.

A Nuclear Giant Moves Into Wind (Green Inc.)

Nuclear giant Exelon announced today that it was buying John Deere Renewables, which has 735 MW in operation and 230 MW in "advanced stages of development" in Michigan.

Pennsylvania: Natural Gas Tax Plan Suggested (Wilkes Barre Times-Leader)

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center on Tuesday released a new report recommending how the state Legislature should structure a fair severance tax on natural gas extraction.

Homeowners Must Pay Off Energy Improvement Loans (New York Times)

Homeowners who participated in the PACE program that let them repay the cost of solar panels and other energy improvements through an annual surcharge on their property taxes must pay off the loans before they can refinance their mortgage.

Brazil Oficials: Amazon Deforestation Declining (AP)

Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research says satellite imagery shows nearly 900 square miles were destroyed in the 12 months through July 31, a 48% drop from a year earlier.

India Backs Embattled IPCC Chief Pachauri (AFP)

India’s government said it remained fully supportive of IPCC chief Rajendra Pachauri after a damning UN-ordered review called for changes to the Nobel Prize-winning climate change body’s leadership.

U.N. to Study Impact of Incomplete Climate Action (Reuters)

The UN panel of climate scientists will look at the costs of "second best" ways of fighting global warming amid doubts that all countries will sign up to U.N.-led action, a leading expert said on Tuesday.

Australian PM Wins Greens Support in Govt Bid (Reuters)

Australian PM Julia Gillard forged an alliance with the Greens party on Wednesday to take her party closer to forming a government, but vowed not to allow the deal to change her plans for a tax on miners’ profits.

Government Approves 1,000 MW Grid-Connected Solar Power Projects (The Hindu)

The government is targeting 1000 MW of solar power by 2013 of which 500 MW would be solar PV and 500 MW through solar thermal technology, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah said today.

Rogue Ship Dumps Oil, Coating Famed Indian Beaches (AP)

An unknown ship dumped tons of waste oil into the sea off western India, creating tar balls that were heaping on Goa’s famed beaches Wednesday, officials said.

Tesla Roadster Qualifies for Japan EV Rebates (Reuters)

U.S. electric car startup Tesla Motors said it has qualified for the Japanese government’s clean energy cash rebate program, knocking off up to $38,490 from the price of its Roadster.