Unthreaded
AN interesting report here describing the European project to put a Laser ranging device in orbit to measure and track aerosols to strudy cloud formation. Nice quotation from the scientists: "Scientists say knowledge gaps in such areas severely hamper their ability to forecast future [climate] change."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12506847

Monseigneur
The French Cours des Comptes (the equivalent of the National Audit Office) has ruled that the premium that EDF is obliged to pay for electricity from renewables and which it passes on to consumers is a tax. It notes that it has been rising rapidly and says further increases should be subject to approval by the Assemblée.
(link for francophones)
http://www.ccomptes.fr/fr/CC/documents/RPA/8_compensation_des_charges_service_public_electricite.pdf

Why do I always get an uneasy feeling when this man appears in the news?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12508050

Apologies Barry, too fast in getting into the detail. good post by the way.

Actually it was my guest post:
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/02/18/the-carbon-brief-the-european-rapid-response-team/#more-34193

A four page flier on wind turbines came in with my milk cheque yesterday full of the usual nonsense with no down sides mentioned at all. I have to be farm assured to produce milk , meat and grain, working in as environmentally friendly way as is reasonably possible. Does anyone else feel that these wind turbines are incompatible with these goals.
John Lyon

Cumbrian Lad
I heard that as well and laughed out aloud, but later in the interview both parties agreed that it was incorrect government data that the statistics were based upon.

Did anyone hear Prof Acton of UEA on the radio this morning wittering on about the plans to limit visas to students who may not be genuine? He'd just produced a report to claim that the impending new rules will drastically effect the finances of the universities, but the other chap on that segment challenged his statistics and the conclusions of the report. He's not having much luck with reports, or stats, is he.

Andrew, Anthony has a piece on a new climate site that is referencing you:
http://wattsupwiththat.com/2011/02/18/the-carbon-brief-the-european-rapid-response-team/#more-34193
You are included in several posts, this one in particular, last paragraph:
http://www.carbonbrief.org/profiles/hockey-stick

IPCCRIP
http://www.climatesciencewatch.org/2011/02/19/house-votes-244-179-to-kill-u-s-funding-of-ipcc/
"Mr. Chairman, if the families in my district have been able to tighten their belts, surely the federal government can do the same and stop funding an organization that is fraught with waste and abuse. My amendment simply says that no funds in this bill can go to the IPCC. This would save taxpayers millions of dollars this year and millions of dollars in years to come. In fact, the President has requested an additional $13 million in his fiscal 2012 budget request"