Today’s Climate: May 26, 2010

China All But Dashes Hope of Climate Deal This Year (Reuters)

A senior Chinese climate official said on Tuesday that negotiators aim to seal a binding global warming pact by the end of 2011, a blow to any lingering hopes the world could reach a deal at talks this year in Mexico.

De Boer Confirms Plan to Integrate Copenhagen Accord in UN Climate Text (BusinessGreen)

Outgoing UN climate chief Yvo de Boer yesterday confirmed that the extent to which parts of the Copenhagen Accord should be included in the formal UN negotiating process would form a central part of the agenda at the climate talks in Bonn next month.

EU Sets Toughest Targets to Fight Global Warming (Telegraph)

Europe will introduce a surprise new plan today to combat global warming, committing the EU to cut emissions by 30% on 1990 levels by 2020, the most ambitious targets in the world.

BP CEO Says Will Decide on "Top Kill" Today (Reuters)

The chief executive of BP said he expects to make the final decision on Wednesday whether to proceed with its "top kill" procedure to try to contain leaking oil in the Gulf of Mexico.

As Oil Spills, Obama Touts Alternative Energy (AP)

With the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico calling into question his plans to expand offshore drilling, Pres. Obama looks Wednesday to highlight the benefits of clean energy at a California solar manufacturing plant.

Panel Suggests Signs of Trouble Before Rig Explosion (New York Times)

In the hours before the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded last month in the Gulf of Mexico, there were strong warning signs that something was terribly wrong with the well, according to a Congressional committee that was briefed on the accident by BP executives.

IG Report: Meth, Porn Use by Drilling Agency Staff (AP)

Staff members at an agency that oversees offshore drilling accepted tickets to sports events, lunches and other gifts from oil and gas companies and used government computers to view pornography, according to an Interior Department report.

U.S. Senate to Vote in June to Stop EPA Carbon Rules (Reuters)

The U.S. Senate is set to vote next month on permanently stopping the EPA from regulating pollution linked to global warming from factories, utilities and oil refineries, a spokesman for Sen. Lisa Murkowski said on Tuesday.

Germany, Other Donors to Raise Pledge to Save Forests (Bloomberg)

Germany and other donors will raise the amount pledged to help save forests in poorer nations to $4 billion when they meet at a climate conference conference in Oslo tomorrow, Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said.

U.S. Says Indonesian Red Tape Blocking Clean Energy (AFP)

Red tape and legal uncertainty are blocking investment in clean energy projects in Indonesia that could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said Wednesday.

Wind Industry Executives Pessimistic about Growth This Year (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

After record growth in U.S. wind power capacity in 2009, top industry executives at the American Wind Energy Association conference were pessimistic Tuesday about prospects for a strong repeat performance this year.

Companies Set Up Joint Venture for Solar Projects (AP)

SunEdison, the solar development division of MEMC Electronic Materials, announced a joint venture Tuesday that is authorized to spend as much as $1.5 billion on energy projects.

Greenpeace Praises Nokia, Slams Nintendo (AFP)

Greenpeace panned electronic firms Nintendo and Toshiba for low environmental standards in a report Wednesday while praising Nokia and Sony Ericsson’s approach to hazardous substances, recycling and energy use.

‘Active’ 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season Forecast (Bloomberg)

The 2010 hurricane season in the Atlantic will be "active" and produce 16 tropical storms, including eight hurricanes, four of them intense, Tropical Storm Risk said.