TOP STORY

Clinton: U.S. Will 'Lead The Way' On International Climate Plan

In her opening remarks to the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, Secretary of State Clinton recognized climate change as a "clear and present danger to our world," and pledged that the United States would "lead the way" in international negotiations to reduce global greenhouse gas pollution. Clinton "told environment ministers from the world's 17 largest economies that the Obama administration is 'fully engaged in negotiations toward a global emissions treaty.'"  [Greenwire - New York Times]

AUDIO

An Aged Electric Grid Looks To A Brighter Future

"The nation's electricity grid is facing some huge challenges — it's outdated and unprepared for increasing demand and a future that includes more renewable sources of energy."  The first in a 10-part series on the smart grid.  [Morning Edition - NPR]

VISUAL

Visualizing The Grid - An Interactive Map

"The U.S. electric grid is a complex network of independently owned and operated power plants and transmission lines. Aging infrastructure, combined with a rise in domestic electricity consumption, has forced experts to critically examine the status and health of the nation's electrical systems."  [NPR]

RECOMMENDED READING

Officials in Three States Pin Water Woes on Gas Drilling

Citizen activists have long maintained that natural gas drilling can cause methane contamination in drinking water.  Now, a "string of documented cases of gas escaping into drinking water...is raising new concerns about the hidden costs of this economic tide and strengthening arguments across the country that drilling can put drinking water at risk."    [Pro Publica]

Without Superfund Tax, Stimulus Aids Cleanups

According to E.P.A. officials, the Superfund program, established nearly 30 years ago to clean up the nation’s most contaminated industrial sites has been chronically underfunded since a tax supporting it expired in 1995.  Today, stimulus dollars are being spent to help clean up Superfund sites.  Lisa Jackson, the E.P.A. administrator, notes that "Under the Recovery Act, we’re getting harmful pollutants and dangerous chemicals out of these communities and putting jobs and investment back in.”   [New York Times]

First Day On The Job

Greenpeace USA's new executive director spends his first day on the job getting arrested as part of a staged bit of climate activism.   [Grist]

LONG FORM

Potenial Breakthrough in Harnessing the Sun's Energy

"New solar thermal technology overcomes a major challenge facing solar power – how to store the sun’s heat for use at night or on a rainy day. As researchers tout its promise, solar thermal plants are under construction or planned from Spain to Australia to the American Southwest."  [Yale Environment 360]

FROM THE BLOGS

• Obama Launches Energy Education Initiative [It's Getting Hot In Here]