Welcome to the Green Chip Stocks Weekend Edition — our insights from the week in everything alternative and cleantech, as well as links to our most-read Green Chip Stocks and sister publication articles.

We don't need an energy bill to profit.

There. I said it.

While it certainly would be helpful, considering the bill being debated in Congress calls for both a cap on carbon and a 15% renewable energy standard, we've simply reached a point where our investments can no longer be held hostage by delayed legislation.

Complaining about it doesn't make money.

Spreading the green gospel and participating in petty political posturing doesn't make money.

Only making smart investment decisions based on market and legislative conditions makes money.

The bill's been killed

I've conveyed to you several times that I didn't think an energy bill would be passed this year.

And my concerns were proven correct this week when, as the New York Times reported, “Senate Democrats abandoned their summer efforts to pass a broad energy and climate bill, essentially declaring it dead for the year.”

Though it's a far-reaching and complex bill, we're basically talking about a failure to do two things:

1. Put limits on greenhouse emissions, and

2. Establish a national renewable energy standard

Now let's be clear...

This is a blow to the renewable energy industry.

Without a limit or price on emissions, utilities have no reason to reduce them and financiers find it difficult to lend to clean energy projects.

Same goes for the RES — without a mandate on the amount of electricity to be derived from renewable resources, utilities, financiers, and developers will be even slower to act.

As it stands, if a utility needs to build a new power plant, they'll choose natural gas every time. And I can't blame them.

But ranting about this injustice, real or perceived, doesn't pay the mortgage.

If that's what you want to do or that's what you're after, stop right now. Close this window and mouse over to some non-profit environmentalist website.

We're here to make money no matter the legislative hand we're dealt.

Still profits in the cards...

No energy bill means a rough road ahead for developing technologies still dependent on government support.

If the Treasury Grant Program is allowed to expire at the end of the year "the level of capital that is available to finance renewable energy is anticipated to decline by more than 50%," according to the American Council on Renewable Energy.

Wind and rooftop solar would be hit the hardest.

And those are the two best-known cleantech sectors, so you'll have to be well-versed in the industry to succeed.

Smart grid looks good because efficiency is the cheapest energy there is. I've profiled why here, here and here..

Natural gas is also looking good — not just for electricity, but for transportation. And tax credits for its use could sneak through Congress in legislation being pushed in response to the BP disaster.

You'll want to read this report before that happens.

Finally, you'll also want to take a look at Chinese solar companies ahead of earnings in August.

You can find that article, and plenty of others, in the rest of this week's Green Chip coverage below.

Call it like you see it,

Nick

Natural Capital Investing: Are We Liquidating $4.5 Trillion In Natural Capital Every Year?
Contributing editor Sam Hopkins reviews a new platform that will be used to address the challenge of measuring and monetizing the most uncommon natural resources.

Canada Puts the Kibosh on Oil and Coal: BC Parliament Cracks Down on Fossil Fuels
The biggest abuse of government power since before the American Revolution is going on just over the border… but there is a profit opportunity here as British Columbia cracks down on oil and coal. Read the latest report from Green Chip Stocks to find out how you can turn this conspiracy into gains of over 170%.

Electric Vehicle Investing Opportunities: What this New Electric Car Bill Means for You
Green Chip Editor Jeff Siegel discusses a new electric car bill that aims to speed up the integration of electric vehicles.

Approaching Solar Earnings Season: Big Banks Bullish on Solar Stocks
Green Chip Editor Nick Hodge talks about big banks warming up to the solar sector and how you can turn a quick profit as earnings season approaches.

Ecosystem Investing: A $2 Trillion Discovery that May Piss You Off
Editor Jeff Siegel reviews the annual liquidation of $2 trillion, and how it affects the true value of conventional fossil fuel-based energy.

Smart Grid Reaching Critical Mass: Smart Grid Saves Energy, Makes Money
Energy & Capital's Nick Hodge discusses the coming-of-age of the smart grid via a Kohl's case study.

$30 Thousand Details: The Missing Piece of this Nuclear Outfit’s Puzzle
Fox News covered the story of this up-and-coming nuclear outfit back in March… but the folks at Fox left out some very important details. And the missing piece of this puzzle could bank you $36,950 by July 20^th next year. Read our latest report to find out how.

Obesity Drug Stocks: The Fat of the Land
Wealth Daily Editor Ian Cooper examines how one weight-loss drug could fatten your wallet in the next 60 days.

Tiny Nuclear Company Leads American Resurgence: The Nuclear Energy Story Fox News Isn't Telling You
Energy and Capital Editor Nick Hodge shares with readers details on a little-known nuclear company that's set to explode on certain hidden news...

China Leads U.S. in High Speed Rail: Faster Than a Speeding Panda
Green Chip Stocks Editor Jeff Siegel comments on China's latest green innovation and why the U.S. needs to catch up.

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