In this edition, coverage of global carbon markets, including in Bloomberg’s China Carbon Debut Defies Emission Doubters and Xinhua’s China to run 2nd in carbon trading scheme and AAP’s EU-based carbon scheme passes Reps. Elsewhere, Germany eyes cap for support for wind power, biomass, says Reuters, which also reported Mexico’s interest in Germany’s know-how on renewable energy.
Quote of the Day:
“What China is doing with its pilot scheme and ultimately with a national scheme sets a terrific example for the rest of the world. Any suggestions by people in the West that China is not acting on climate change aren’t true.”
–Alex Wyatt, the Melbourne-based chief executive officer of Climate Bridge, in Bloomberg’s “China Carbon Debut Defies Emission Doubters: Energy Markets”
Lead Stories
China Carbon Debut Defies Emission Doubters: Energy Markets
Bloomberg
China’s first steps to build what is destined to be the world’s second-biggest emissions market are boosting the prospects for fledgling programs from Australia to California.
http://jlne.ws/OXXlVj
**RKB – Four cement makers in China, the world’s biggest emitter, bought 1.3 million pollution permits for 60 yuan ($9.55) a metric ton last month in Guangdong.This is the largest of the seven pilot programs. Volume expected at half the EU system.
China to run 2nd in carbon trading scheme
Xinhua
China will have the world’s second largest carbon trading scheme by 2014, or twice as big as Australia’s regime, a latest report showed Thursday.
http://jlne.ws/R3Jcmu
EU-based carbon scheme passes Reps
AAP
The latest changes to Australia’s carbon price scheme have passed the House of Representatives.
http://jlne.ws/WZSpPq
Carbon tax complaints falling says ACCC
AAP
The consumer watchdog says the number of carbon tax complaints it’s received has dropped from around 60 per day to as low as four in recent weeks.
http://jlne.ws/SW8wyS
S’pore an ideal centre for water and carbon derivatives trading
Channel News Asia
Singapore may not have a carbon tax regime yet but being a financial hub, it may be poised to be a centre for water and carbon trading.
http://jlne.ws/UPC6aB
Carbon capture ‘already an effective reality
The Australian
http://bit.ly/VU5mMO
Carbon capture: 130 plants needed ‘to avoid dangerous climate change’
Guardian
More than a hundred carbon capture and storage projects (CCS) must be built to avoid dangerous global warming, an international CCS group said this week, as fears were raised over whether UK projects would benefit from an EU fund for 12 demonstration plants.
http://jlne.ws/RlQtQA
UK energy minister wants to fund two CCS projects
Reuters
Britain’s energy minister wants to financially support two pilot carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, a technology the UK is banking on to reduce climate-warming emissions and to develop as a new export product.
http://jlne.ws/Rgpy5k
Merkel Curbs Renewables to Limit Voter Anger on Power Bills
Bloomberg
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to cap taxpayer subsidies for renewable energy is aimed at limiting the political fallout among voters from a surge in electricity bills due next week.
http://jlne.ws/QVqgIi
Germany eyes cap for support for wind power, biomass
Reuters
Germany‘s environment minister outlined plans on Thursday to limit support for wind energy and biomass generation following a similar cap imposed on the photovoltaic sector, as part of a proposed reform of renewable energy policy.
http://jlne.ws/RBPglz
Mexico president-elect taps Merkel know-how on renewable energy
Reuters
Mexican President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto sought advice on Thursday on how to develop his country’s renewable energy sector from Germany, a world pioneer in the sector.
http://jlne.ws/R3Hwtm
Ryan admits seeking funding from ‘green pork’ package he attacked
Business Green
Republican vice president candidate Paul Ryan attacked the White House’s stimulus packages for green energy in last night’s debate – although was forced to admit he had sought funding under the programme for projects in his home state.
http://jlne.ws/TFF9AK
Events
EMA Regional Thought Leader Roundtable: Northeast REC Markets
EMA
October 17, 2012
http://jlne.ws/ViJHgR
EMA 2012 Fall Meeting
**Keynote speaker is Richard Sandor
October 24 – October 26, 2012
Santa Monica, CA
http://jlne.ws/NIFCwM
Carbon
Closing the biomass carbon loophole
Commonwealth.org
Worldwide, forest fires and forest harvesting are recognized as major sources of the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is warming the climate, causing drought, and melting ice caps. Yet, paradoxically, most state, regional, and federal efforts to reduce emissions treat biomass power plants that burn wood for fuel as “carbon neutral,” with zero net emissions. Massachusetts is now leading the way to correct this mistake, with first-in-the-nation regulations limiting the eligibility of biomass power for renewable energy subsidies based on cumulative CO2 emissions.
http://jlne.ws/WaTeFF
Are businesses ready for mandatory carbon reporting?
Business Green
More than two thirds of the FTSE 350 are ready to meet new mandatory carbon reporting regulations that are due to come into effect next year, while over three quarters of mid-sized firms are also committed to delivering sustainability reports.
http://jlne.ws/WZW7IQ
Natural Gas/Coal
BP to export US crude to Canada, Shell seeks permit
Reuters
Oil major BP Plc has secured U.S. government permission to ship U.S. crude oil to Canada, and Royal Dutch Shell has applied for an export license, as rising production in the world’s top oil consumer upends global energy flows.
http://jlne.ws/PrBB4c
**RKB – Important sub-head: Shale boom reshapes world energy flows
Total to Push Ahead With Shale Gas Drilling in Poland, CEO Says
Bloomberg
Total SA (FP), France’s largest oil company, will pursue the search for shale gas in Poland by drilling another well, even after partner Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) pulled out following “disappointing” results.
http://jlne.ws/Qh3ZmD
Wyoming Water Tests in Line With EPA Finding on Fracking
Bloomberg
Tests of drinking water near a natural-gas drilling site in Wyoming back up findings that established the first link by the federal government between hydraulic fracturing and tainted water, the Environmental Protection Agency said.
http://jlne.ws/QVqT4s
Power
Vestas Cuts U.S. Jobs by 20 Percent Awaiting Tax Credit Decision
Bloomberg
Vestas Wind Systems A/S (VWS), the world’s biggest maker of wind turbines, has cut about a fifth of its U.S. jobs as it waits for lawmakers to decide whether to extend a tax credit for the industry.
http://jlne.ws/UPw8GL
Solyndra investor sought tax breaks as bankruptcy loomed-filing
Reuters
Eight months before solar panel maker Solyndra filed for bankruptcy, the company’s politically connected backer sought to hold on to lucrative tax breaks in the event the company went out of business, according to court documents.
http://jlne.ws/RkVqpU
U.S. sets steep final duties on Chinese solar panels
Reuters
The United States on Wednesday slapped steep final duties on billions of dollars of solar energy products from China, but turned down a request from lawmakers and U.S. manufacturers to expand the scope of its order.
http://jlne.ws/WaS7FV
Reports
The Hidden Costs of Electricity: Comparing the Hidden Costs of Power Generation Fuels (Posted Sept. 19, 2012)
http://jlne.ws/PCt372
CDP Global 500 Climate Change Report (Posted Sept. 11, 2012)
Carbon Disclosure Project
Beyond the bluster: Why wind power is an effective technology (Posted Aug. 30, 2012)
IPPR
http://jlne.ws/UeZB9b
Carbon Tax Revenue and the Budget Deficit: A Win-Win Solution? (Posted Aug. 27, 2012)
MIT
http://jlne.ws/Ri3So8
The 21st Century Corporation: The Ceres Roadmap for Sustainability (Posted Aug. 21, 2012)
Ceres
http://jlne.ws/ONwe8M
EPA REGULATIONS AND ELECTRICITY (Posted Aug. 16, 2012)
GAO
http://jlne.ws/NHwlos
European Power & Renewables Deals: Quarterly M&A outlook (Posted August 15, 2012)
Pricewaterhousecoopers
http://jlne.ws/TFZjaV
Advancing Technology for America’s Transportation Future (Posted August 6, 2012)
http://jlne.ws/MA2U6I
Benchmarking Air Emissions Of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States (Posted July 31, 2012)
http://jlne.ws/QbRr0J
Per capita CO2 emissions in China reached European level (July 18, 2012)
http://jlne.ws/NAjBQQ
The Interim Regulation of Voluntary Greenhouse Gases Emission Trading in China (Posted July 10, 2012)
The Climate Group
http://jlne.ws/Mhv62s
Measure for Management: C40 Cities (July 9, 2012)
Carbon Disclosure Project
http://jlne.ws/L9LC37
