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Bush places moratorium on new solar projects on public land

In a parting shot at the competition for its fossil fuels supporters, the uber-lame (duck) Bush administration "has placed a moratorium on new solar projects on public land until it studies their environmental impact, which is expected to take about two years."

• Drilling for oil and gas, even in pristine areas -- hey, we’re former oil company executives.
• Leveling mountains in beautiful West Virginia -- we’re all for it.
• Toxic metals from mining -- bring ‘em on!
• Logging old-growth forests -- what so you think forests are for?

But solar power on publicly owned desert land? We need to study that for two years. Wouldn’t want to risk a rush to clean energy. As Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said, this is "the wrong signal to send to solar power developers, and to Nevadans and Westerners who need and want clean, affordable sun-powered electricity soon."

The only upside of this lame last-minute attack on renewables is that it can be overturned on January 21, 2009.

This post was created for ClimateProgress.org, a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

New bill to support renewables offered in House

Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Bill Delahunt (D-Mass.), Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), and Mike Honda (D-Calif.) introduced legislation [PDF] yesterday to provide security for investments in the renewable-energy sector by guaranteeing rates for renewable-energy generation. The Renewable Energy Jobs and Security Act would provide guaranteed renewable-energy payments to small and mid-sized clean-energy suppliers (up to 20 megawatts). […]

Day five of the UN Dispatch-Grist collaboration

The UN Dispatch - Grist collaboration concludes today with discussion of an idea submitted by On Day One user James Hansen -- yes that Dr. James Hansen!

Tony Kreindler of the Environmental Defense Fund, Nigel Purvis, Kate Sheppard, Timothy B. Hurst, and David Roberts respond below the fold.

McKinsey report shatters myths on cost of curbing climate change

The McKinsey Global Institute has published another terrific piece of analysis, "The carbon productivity challenge: curbing climate change and sustaining economic growth."

MGI is best known for its comprehensive cost curve for global greenhouse gas reduction measures (reprinted below), which came to the stunning conclusion that the measures needed to stabilize emissions at 450 pppm have a net cost near zero. The new report has its own stunning conclusion:

In fact, depending on how new low-carbon infrastructure is financed, the transition to a low-carbon economy may increase annual GDP growth in many countries.

The new analysis explains that "at a global, macroeconomic level, the costs of transitioning to a low-carbon economy are not, in an economic 'welfare' sense, all that daunting -- even with currently known technologies." Indeed, 70 percent of the total 2030 emissions reduction potential (below $60 a ton of CO2 equivalent) is "not dependent on new technology."

Corn tries to look a little too sweet

This week's $4.8 billion merger of Corn Products International and Bunge Ltd. probably didn't catch your eye, but with revenues projected to increase 29 percent this year to $4 billion, you might consider paying attention -- for the sake of your belly and the environment.

Corn syrup manufacturers are going on the offensive -- and that includes a charm offensive. The Corn Refiners Association -- an industry trade group -- launched a new marketing campaign yesterday that coincided with the announcement of the multi-billion dollar merger.

Airlines must pay for emissions, E.U. says

All flights into, out of, and within the European Union will be included in the bloc’s emissions-trading scheme as of 2012, the E.U. Parliament decided Thursday. If the plan is given final approval, airlines will have to cut emissions 3 percent in 2012 and 5 percent per year from 2013 on. Airlines would buy 15 […]

McCain touts energy plan in another new ad

John McCain has a new ad promoting his “Lexington Project” to move the country toward energy independence: As with previous ads, this one shows footage of windmills and solar panels, but I don’t see any nuclear reactors. Odd, considering his love of nuclear energy and his plan to build 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030.

Feds freeze new solar projects on public land, pending review

The Bush administration has put a moratorium on new solar projects on public land pending large-scale study of their environmental impacts, a process which could take about two years. Since 2005, over 130 solar-plant proposals have been filed for large-scale solar projects that together would cover some 1 million acres of BLM land, if approved. […]

Appeals court won’t force EPA to speed up CO2 decision

A federal appeals court has decided not to force the Bush administration to speed up its decision on whether carbon dioxide emissions endanger public health or welfare. The administration’s decision on CO2 is a necessary step in the process of regulating U.S. greenhouse-gas emissions from vehicles and industrial sources. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court […]

BLM contemplates two-year moratorium on solar power plant construction in the West

Oh, now they care about careful environmental assessment? Oil and gas development is spreading over the American West like a cancer, but this, this solar stuff … it’s a bridge too far! So Congress and the feds are going to let the solar investment tax credit lapse and institute a moratorium on deployment in the […]