Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California defends the climate change legislation he signed into law and slams the out-of-state energy companies bankrolling a ballot initiative to repeal it. “They are creating a shell argument that they are doing this to protect jobs,” he says. “Does anybody really believe they are doing this out of the goodness of their black oil hearts — spending millions and millions of dollars to save jobs?” (The San Francisco Chronicle)

The deepwater drilling moratorium could be lifted soon after the release of an oil spill commission’s report next week, officials say. (Politico)

Around 100 people are arrested outside the White House during a protest against mountaintop removal coal mining, including the NASA climate scientist James E. Hansen. “Mountaintop removal, providing only a small fraction of our energy, can and should be abolished,” Dr. Hansen said in a statement. “The time for half measures and caving in to polluting industries must end.” (CNN)

Depression spikes along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of the BP oil spill. (Associated Press)