Green Investing News

September 2005 News Archives

Republican Study Committee Calls to Drop Energy Star Program - 2005-09-30
In the wake of both hurricanes Katrina and Rita the Federal government's ability to help pay for reconstruction is likely to involve some fiscal belt-tightening.

Hong Kong Leader: Southern China Aims To Announce Air Quality Data Daily - 2005-09-30
Authorities aim to announce daily air quality data on southern mainland China -- a major source of air pollution in Hong Kong -- by the end of the year, Hong Kong's leader said.

Cheaper Meat Doesn't Equal Happier Meals - Report - 2005-09-30
The giant feed lots and factory farms that have brought us cheaper meat also are fanning the spread of bird flu and mad cow disease, says a new report from a prominent environmental think tank.

Plastics Seminar Fueled by 'Ecomagination' - 2005-09-30
GE Plastics, a subsidiary of General Electric, sponsored the New York City Innovation seminar last week, with a strong environmental component comprising part of the program.

MN's New Biodiesel Requirement Cleans the Air - 2005-09-30
With Minnesota's first-in-the-nation biodiesel mandate effective today, most diesel fuel sold in the state will be a B2 biodiesel blend that contains two percent renewable fuel derived from vegetable oils (usually soy) or animal fats.

A New Concentration for U.S. Commercial-scale Solar Power - 2005-09-30
New tax credits made law in this summer's Energy Policy Act of 2005 are proving to be a real catalyst for a host of new commercial-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) projects.

To SMUD, leftovers are looking electric - 2005-09-29
University of California Davis researcher Ruihong Zhang has studied ways to make methane gas from food waste in her laboratory

Initial Testing of Hybrid Utility Trucks Shows 40%–60% Drop in Fuel Consumption - 2005-09-29
Initial independent test results of prototype hybrid utility trucks being used in the WestStart’s Hybrid Truck Users Forum (HTUF) pilot program (earlier post) have shown a decrease in fuel consumption of 40%–60% measured against driving and work cycles ty

Sacramento Hardware Store Installs 200 kW Solar Array - 2005-09-29
California officials joined with Emigh Ace Hardware of Sacramento, on Tuesday in dedicating the largest retail solar electric system in the city. This 200 kW solar system, mounted on the roof of Emigh Ace Hardware on El Camino Avenue, was designed and ins

Scrutiny on India's Renewable Energy Potential - 2005-09-29
Vice Chancellor Dr. N. K. Bansal called for India to take an integrated approach to harnessing technology by using renewable energy sources, practicing energy conservation, discouraging use of private vehicles and working on possible future inventions lik

CPUC Plan Extends California Renewable Energy Mandates - 2005-09-29
In a victory for proponents of renewable energy in California, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released a draft plan dictating that many of the renewable energy standards that have been applied to investor-owned utilities (IOUs) will als

Proctor & Gamble to Save a Cool $1 Million with New Energy Efficiency Measures - 2005-09-29
The Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) expects to save over $1 million by implementing new energy-efficiency measures at its U.S. plants.

Renewable Energy By and For New England - 2005-09-28
A small town in Maine is on its way to becoming a source of renewable energy for the New England market though an acquisition by New Energy Capital (NEC) of the Greenville Steam Company (GSC), a 16 MW biomass-fired operating power generation facility.

Demand for soy to speed up through 2009 - 2005-09-28
New research and the approval of health claims will contribute to 5.1 percent annual growth in demand for soy in the US over the next five years, predicts market researcher The Freedonia Group.

General Assembly of IFOAM Approves Principles of Organic Agriculture - 2005-09-28
The General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) approved the revised Principles of Organic Agriculture, resulting from an intense two-year participatory process.

Green Living: The Case Studies - 2005-09-28
A preview of sustainable attractions coming soon from three local architects

DOE Releases Climate Change Plan - 2005-09-28
Even though the Bush Administration is known for being skeptical of climate change and its causes, the Department of Energy has released for public review a plan for accelerating the development and reducing the cost of new and advanced technologies that

Most Hospitals Eliminating Mercury, National Survey Finds - 2005-09-28
Hospitals have significantly reduced the amount of mercury found in facilities and are demonstrating a clear preference for safer alternatives, according to a recent national survey by the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Hospitals for a Healthy En

North Carolina Renewable Fuels Policies - 2005-09-28
The state of North Carolina has implemented legislation this year in support of E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline). This legislation includes bills that will be implemented on January 1, 2006, and three bills that are pending approval.

New Housing Project to Include 70 Geoexchange Systems - 2005-09-28
Essential Innovations Technology plans to provide geoexchange heating and cooling systems and ongoing geothermal services to 70 residential properties scheduled for a gated community.

Projects Highlight Solar for Wastewater Plants - 2005-09-27
The use of solar energy to offset the power required at wastewater treatment plants has proven an increasingly noticeable application of solar on-site generation. This week a facility in Massachusetts finalized its 14.5 kW array of solar trackers, while d

DOE Expected to Slash Budget for Wind, Geothermal, CSP Solar - 2005-09-27
Rumors have been circulating among those with an ear to energy issues in Washington, DC, that deep budget cuts are likely in a wide range of renewable energy technologies as the government seeks a way to pay for all its expenditures without increasing rev

Solar-Powered Charging Systems Help Hurricane Recovery - 2005-09-27
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), working in partnership with the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), is providing solar electric charging stations to help residents of Kiln, Mississippi, recover from the devasta

Volvo Launches World's First CO2-Free Automotive Plant - 2005-09-27
AB Volvo has decided to make Volvo Trucks' plant in Tuve the world's first CO2-free automotive plant.

Eco-Friendly Airport Plan for Narita - 2005-09-27
On April 21, 2005, Narita International Airport Corp. (NAA) announced that it had formulated an Eco-Airport Master Plan, which defines detailed environmental preservation activities aiming to make the airport environmentally-friendly

Fleet of Timeshare Cars Offsets CO2 Emissions - 2005-09-26
In addition to Renewable Ventures' participation in its Emission Reduction Program, the renewable energy project finance company announced its first fleet partner in the program, Club Sportiva, the pioneer of timeshare access to classic sports cars.

Enzyme Production Could Boost Biofuels Production - 2005-09-26
Enzymes, biodegradable and safe catalysts for chemical processes, could allow farmers to cost effectively and cleanly produce glucose from corn, soy, other carbohydrate and cellulose-rich plants and waste - such as cornstalks, wheat straw and sugarcane ba

GAO Report Calls for More Federal Oversight of Wind Power - 2005-09-26
A recent report from the Federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) looked at bird and bat deaths caused by wind turbines and found both good and bad news for wind power.

China to Spend $17 Billion on Six New Hydro Plants - 2005-09-26
China will spend $17.3 billion to build six more hydroelectric power plants on the Yangtze River as it tries to reduce its reliance on smog-producing coal, the China Daily said on Friday.

Ga. Closes Schools for 2 Days to Save Fuel - 2005-09-26
The governor's request that Georgia public schools take two "snow days" and close to conserve fuel did not sit well with parents who had to scramble to find baby sitters and day care for their children.

Cornell Launches Research on Plant Biomass - 2005-09-26
Awarded more than $8.2 million in federal funding over four years through the recent signing of the federal Transportation Bill, Cornell has been tapped by the federal government as one of five Sun Grant Centers of Excellence

California Approves GHG Regulations for Vehicles - 2005-09-23
This development doesn't involve any renewable energy but it does stand to have just as much of an impact on clean air as any host of new renewable energy projects.

Solar Powered Lighting for Katrina Relief Efforts - 2005-09-23
Even as the Gulf coast braces for a second major hurricane, a company named SOL is working with the Louisiana State Police to install the first 30 solar-powered lighting systems at critically designated areas in and around New Orleans.

Cal State Agrees to Landmark Clean Energy Policy - 2005-09-22
Following a two-year campaign run by students and Greenpeace, the California State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously in favor of what is being billed as the strongest and most comprehensive university policy on clean energy in the United Stat

Plug-in hybrids: a here-and-now alternative - 2005-09-22
The solution to the nation's emerging oil crisis may be sitting quietly in Ron Gremban's garage. It gets 80 to 100 miles to the gallon, he says. And if you don't go too fast, driving that gallon's worth of distance could cost $1 or less.

Detroit Edison's Renewable Energy Plan Up for Scrutiny - 2005-09-22
Last year Michigan's Public Service Commission mandated that Detroit Edison, the largest utility in the state, implement a renewable energy program to offer customers an option to buy renewable energy. The utility complied and now their new proposed plan

Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort Fueled with Biodiesel - 2005-09-22
Donations of biodiesel are being delivered to the smaller coastal towns south of New Orleans most severely affected by Hurricane Katrina thanks to the coordinated efforts of several groups.

Solargenix to Build Largest PV Plant Project in the World - 2005-09-22
Solargenix Energy announced it has received the approvals needed to proceed with the development of Nevada Solar One, a 64-megawatt (MW) Solar Thermal Electric Generating Plant to be located in Boulder City, Nevada.

US BioEnergy Builds Ethanol Plant in Michigan - 2005-09-22
US BioEnergy broke ground for the US Bio Superior Corn ethanol plant near Lake Odessa, Michigan late last week.

Permitting Approved for Ontario Wind Farm - 2005-09-21
A company traditionally associated exclusively with hydroelectric projects just received a green light to proceed on its first wind power project.

Interconnection Advances for Colorado Renewable Energy - 2005-09-21
In what could be the first example of seamless integration between federal and state interconnection rules for small generators, a wide cross-section of interests in Colorado have filed with the state's public utility commission for the adoption of new ne

SunTechnics Establishes Subsidiary in the US - 2005-09-21
Most solar business stories of late involve the transfer of US product and assets to Germany but not so much the other way around. Enter SunTechnics with a new US division in California.

Ford poised for big hybrid push - 2005-09-21
Ford Motor Co. plans to speed up its hybrid strategy and offer the fuel-efficient gas-electric cars on half its models in the next five years, according to a published report.

Cow Manure Powered Ethanol Plant Saves Oil and Gas - 2005-09-20
Panda Energy will build a 100 million gallon fuel ethanol plant in Haskell County, Kansas that will use a billion pounds of cattle manure each year as a renewable fuel to power the plant's operations.

Schott to Acquire RWE Schott Solar Shares - 2005-09-20
The "RWE" will soon be dropped from the moniker of corporate solar energy giant RWE Schott Solar after news that the Mainz, Germany-based Schott AG has agreed to acquire the 50 percent share that Neu-Isenburg, Germany-based RWE Solutions AG holds in the s

Renewable Energy to Protect PA's Consumers - 2005-09-19
Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) announced that it and 11 other parties had reached a settlement with Philadelphia-based PECO Energy to cut the costs of electricity to residential, small business and commercial customers; maintain current p

NZ Labour Policy Backs Up Renewable Energy - 2005-09-19
The New Zealand Labour Party announced plans to examine new ways to include a stronger level of renewable energy in the country's electricity system.

Concrete's future looks lighter, greener - 2005-09-16
Now, thanks to environmental pressures and entrepreneurial innovation, a new generation of concretes is emerging.

Fuel-Cell Component Technology Goes Live - 2005-09-16
Dana Corp. announced that it is helping to advance the commercialization of fuel cells by supplying products to fuel-cell manufacturer Plug Power.

Hybrid Renewable Energy Installation for Off-Peak - 2005-09-16
Aurora Cable Internet contracted Hybridyne Power Systems to supply and build a new hybrid renewable energy source with three high-efficiency wind turbines.

Increased Ethanol Use Could Save the Day - 2005-09-15
In a recent hearing discussing an emergency rule that would relax air pollution regulations to increase supplies of gasoline in California, testimony came before the California Air Resources Board stating that ethanol could stabilize and lower gasoline pr

BP Solar to Build World's Largest Solar Plant in Portugal - 2005-09-15
According to Luca news agency, the BP PLC unit of BP Solar announced it woill begin building the world's largest solar plant in Portugal in 2006.

USDA Grants $21 Million for Renewable Energy - 2005-09-15
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the selection of 150 applicants to receive almost $21 million in USDA Rural Development grant assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in 32 states.

Consumer Survey Finds Doing Good Is Good for Business - 2005-09-15
Americans are quick to identify polluting companies as "socially irresponsible" and make their purchasing decisions accordingly, says a new survey.

U.S. and Canada Partner on Transport Fuel Efficiency and Emissions Programs - 2005-09-15
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) have signed of Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate and share information in research, development, and projects to save fuel and reduce emissions, maintain energy secur

Corn Oil to Diesel Conversion Will Meet BioFuel Demand - 2005-09-14
INSEQ restructured its manufacturing agreement with Ethanol Oil Recovery Systems and Cantrell Winsness Technologies to include additional manufacturing rights for Mean Green BioFuel, which acquired rights to a patent-pending technology for cost-effective

Phase II of US Renewable Energy Policy Takes Shape - 2005-09-14
The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) completed its renewable energy policy roundtable meetings in 12 cities across the nation, seeking to define the next phase of national policy for renewable energy in America.

Loders plant feeds demand for trans fat alternatives - 2005-09-14
Supplies to meet demand of raw materials for trans fat alternatives multiply as the first crude palm oil tanker arrives at Loders Croklaan new refinery in Rotterdam, billed as the largest in Europe.

Hydrogen Can Be Produced from Zinc Using Solar Power - 2005-09-14
Using concentrated solar energy, an international team of scientists from Israel, Sweden, Switzerland and France have discovered a clean, safe and inexpensive way to produce hydrogen.

Honeywell and U.S. Army Turn Recycled Energy into $1.8 Million in Annual Savings - 2005-09-14
Honeywell has completed a prototype cooling, heating and power (CHP) generation system at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., designed to improve energy infrastructure, reduce energy consumption, and increase energy security.

Carmakers Offer More Gas-Electric Hybrid Choices To Meet Growing Demand - 2005-09-14
The variety of hybrids and their sales in the United States are increasing. In the 2006 model year, Americans have more hybrid vehicles to choose from -- 10 -- than ever before.

Geothermal Power Potential Offers Many Jobs - 2005-09-13
In the first systematic examination of employment in the geothermal industry in 30 years, a new report from the Geothermal Energy Association reports that expanding geothermal power could create 100,000 new jobs.

Ontario's 67.5 MW Wind Power Project Under Way - 2005-09-13
With five turbines already erected at the Melancthon Grey Wind Project, Canadian Hydro Developers officially start construction of its $120 million wind facility using 45 GE wind turbines, each rated at 1.5 MW for a total capacity of 67.5 MW.

Biogas Facility Gets Revenue Boost - 2005-09-13
Intrepid Technology and Resources, a renewable energy company, signed with Ferris Baker Watts for financing that will provide the capital to triple the size of ITR's existing biogas facility, construct the Westpoint Dairy biogas plant, and construct a thi

100 Fuel Cells Headed for Lift Truck Market - 2005-09-13
Ballard Power Systems signed a supply agreement with General Hydrogen to deliver more than 100 Mark9 SSL fuel cells, ranging from 4.8 kW to 21.1 kW in power output, for integration into General Hydrogen's power units, currently available for commercial sa

Home Depot Implements Energy Conservation Measures in all Its U.S. Stores - 2005-09-12
In response to the government's call to conserve energy in light of the recent hurricane, The Home Depot has announced it will implement energy-saving measures in all of its U.S. stores.

Solar Power Chosen by Veterinary Clinic - 2005-09-12
GreenLight Solar installed a solar electric system on the south-facing roof space of the Loomis Basin Veterinary Clinic, a veterinary hospital east of Sacramento in Loomis, CA.

EU Pushes Biofuel to Fight Climate Change and High Oil Prices - 2005-09-12
The European Union must increase the amount of biomass, a green fuel, in its energy mix as concerns about high oil prices and climate change mount, the EU executive said on Sunday.

Soybeans Good for PA's Renewable Energy Crop - 2005-09-12
Soy Energy, which transforms soybeans to refined soy oil that can be used as a fuel extender in diesel engines, was recognized during a meeting of the Alternative Fuels Renewable Energies Council, as a member of the PA Preferred brand program.

Approved PV Inverters Supply More Power - 2005-09-12
With the testing and approval of five PowerGate AE-PV Series utility-grade PV inverter designs by the California Energy Commission, SatCon's range of inverters for commercial-scale photovoltaic projects has met the criteria of the State's incentive progra

Bus Fleet Switches to Ethanol-Diesel Fuel - 2005-09-09
A public transit operation serving a Kansas county with more than 500,000 residents will substantially reduce harmful emissions without interrupting the quality or quantity of its service by converting the balance of its bus fleet to O2Diesel, an ethanol-

Biomass Survey for Renewable Energy Generation - 2005-09-09
Sacramento is considering the use of anaerobic digestion to generate renewable energy and compost from biomass. About 18 percent of the city's commercial garbage is food waste.

As Oil Prices Rise, Asia Sees Sense in Going Green - 2005-09-09
Across the region, renewable energy such as solar, wind and geothermal power is gaining ever greater credence as a way to curb the region's appetite for oil and cut runaway import bills.

CA Assembly Rejects Million Solar Roofs Bill - 2005-09-09
Last minute efforts to resolve the debate over prevailing wages and licensing failed to save SB 1, the Million Solar Roofs bill, in California's Assembly.

World Cup Football Kicks Off Green Goal Initiative - 2005-09-08
Next year's World Cup football, or soccer, tournament in Germany will be the greenest ever with a new eco-friendly Green Goal initiative now in place.

5 MW Solar-Tracking PV Plant Helps Spain's Energy Plan - 2005-09-08
A 5 MW solar tracking PV plant with a total surface exceeding 3.5 million sq. ft. using 500 2-axis solar trackers will be installed in Caravaca de la Cruz (population: 22,880) in Murcia, Spain by Soltec Energias Renovables.

Transmission Line to Channel Alternative Energy - 2005-09-08
Sunrise Powerlink is a proposed transmission line that will provide access to available and anticipated electricity from clean, renewable energy resources such as solar, geothermal and wind power produced in the Imperial Valley and eastern San Diego Count

Alternative medicine researcher to speak at WFU med school alumni event - 2005-09-08
The Wake Forest University School of Medicine will host a prominent researcher in complementary and alternative medicine for its alumni weekend, further validating the influence of complementary and alternative medicine in the conventional medical establi

DuPont and Tate & Lyle to Open $100 Million Bioproducts Plant - 2005-09-08
A new $100 million plant now under construction in Tennessee will help create a biobased economy that uses renewable resources to make high-performance products.

Multi-Digester Biogas Production Facility in Texas - 2005-09-08
Construction has begun on the Huckabay Ridge facility, a multi-digester biogas production and gas conditioning plant near Stephenville, Texas that will be designed, built, owned and operated by Microgy.

PEM Fuel Cells Gain Momentum - 2005-09-07
H.M. Cragg installed a five kW 100 AMP fuel cell system at Loretel Systems Central Office. The installation of GenCore proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell power backup technology is a result of the collaborative efforts of H.M. Cragg Co., the Minneso

300-900 MW Solar Project Planned for Southern California - 2005-09-07
Stirling Energy Systems' (SES) has announced a 300-900 MW solar power facility for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in southern California.

More supplements needed for Katrina victims - 2005-09-06
Last week the industry swung into action to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, but more can yet be done to help stave off malnutrition and disease amongst survivors, and help businesses affected by the disaster.

CA's Million Solar Roofs Bill Re-referred to Committee - 2005-09-06
In what appears to be a last ditch effort to save SB-1 and at the same time save political face, members of the California assembly re-referred the solar bill to the Utilities and Commerce Committee for the wrangling over final language.

New Indiana Soy Biodiesel Plant to Produce 10M Gallons - 2005-09-06
Indiana's first soy biodiesel production facility will produce 10 million gallons of soy biodiesel annually.

California sues food firms over acrylamide - 2005-09-01
The state of California is suing nine top food manufacturers over their reluctance to issue warnings that some popular snacks could contain a potential cancer-causing chemical.

Soaring Oil to Trigger New Renewables Boom - 2005-09-01
Rocketing world oil prices will trigger a wave of new investment in renewables as green energy becomes more competitive and countries push to reduce their reliance on imported crude, analysts say.

Study no death knell for echinacea - 2005-09-01
Members of the herbal medicine community are criticizing a recent clinical study that claims echinacea is ineffective in treating cold symptoms.