Australia nixes carbon trading — What does that mean for the U.S.?

Australia nixes carbon trading — What does that mean for the U.S.?

The Australian Parliament has voted down ambitious legislation that would have reduced greenhouse gases 5 to 25 percent in the next decade by forcing the nation’s top 1,000 polluters to buy and trade emissions permits.

The plan was defeated by a pretty wide margin — 42 to 30 — with the Greens Party lining up in favor and the conservative members, many backed by big business, on the opposing side. In the end, arguments that Australia… Continue Reading

Far-reaching Climate Bill wins first of many battles

Far-reaching Climate Bill wins first of many battles

Today, the American Clean Energy and Security Act — the most expansive legislation aimed at curbing global warming ever introduced in Congress — won approval from the House Energy and Commerce Committee 33-to-25, with Democrats and Republicans splitting along party lines. The win closely follows president Barack Obama’s call for a 30 percent reduction in vehicle emissions by 2016.

Despite the momentum, the bill still has a long road ahead of it. It still has to… Continue Reading