Green Investing News

August 2006 News Archives

Scotland vows support for wave power - 2006-08-31
Wave energy in Scotland received a boost this week with the Scottish Executive's announcement that it will support a major project that will see Scottish-made Polemis devices installed in Orkney.

SIG buys stake in Finnish wind energy firm - 2006-08-31
The Sterling Infotech Group (SIG) Thursday announced its foray into the renewable energy sector with the acquisition of a 40 percent stake in the Finland-based Winwind Oy, a pioneer in the manufacture of wind turbines.

Expedia offers new initiative for the environmental traveller - 2006-08-30
Expedia.com is giving travellers who want to be friendly to the environment a way to go green as they buy their airline tickets.

Lugar Blasts Inaction on the Transportation Energy Problem; Calls for Mandates If Necessary - 2006-08-30
In the keynote address to the Richard G. Lugar-Purdue University Summit on Energy Security, at Purdue University, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Dick Lugar (R-IN) called for a set of immediate action to address US transportation energy vulnerability, including flex-fuel capability in all new light-duty vehicles, accelerated investment in cellulosic ethanol and the institution of more aggressive fuel economy standards.

Energy plan aims to cut need for oil - 2006-08-30
Gov. John Lynch is calling on New Hampshire to set a goal of getting 25 percent of its energy from clean, renewable sources by 2025.

US Ethanol Production and Consumption Hits All-Time Record in June - 2006-08-30
US ethanol production—the vast majority from corn—increased in June to 318,000 barrels per day (bpd), an increase of nearly 28% from June 2005 and an all-time record, according to statistics released by the Renewable Fuels Association.

Solar America Initiative Sparks PV Response - 2006-08-30
he U.S. Department of Energy has received 73 letters of intent from U.S. industry partnerships intending to apply for three-year projects that will develop, test, and demonstrate new photovoltaic (PV) components, systems, and manufacturing approaches.

Sharp Solar Panels to Be Offered on All Homes in New California Community; BLU S.K.Y Homes Makes Solar Power a Standard for 300 New Homes In Bakersfield - 2006-08-30
Sharp, the world leader in solar cell production, will supply solar panels for up to 300 new homes that are being built by BLU S.K.Y Homes in Bakersfield, California. Juliana's Garden, located in the new master-planned community of City in the Hills, will be the first of several communities BLU S.K.Y Homes builds which will feature the solar systems.

20 MW Solar Facility Approved for Spain - 2006-08-30
At the beginning of August, the go-ahead was given for a large, multi-megawatt interconnected photovoltaic (PV) solar park to be built in the Spanish province of Alicante.

How Many Lightbulbs Does it Take to Change the World? One. And You're Looking At It. - 2006-08-30
In the next 12 months, starting with a major push this month, Wal-Mart wants to sell every one of its regular customers--100 million in all--one swirl bulb.

BlueFire Ethanol Signs Long-Term Deal with Petro-Diamond for Purchase of Waste-Derived Ethanol - 2006-08-29
BlueFire Ethanol has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Petro-Diamond, Inc. for that company’s purchase of the ethanol produced from BlueFire’s first North American Biomass-to-Ethanol conversion facility located at a Southern California landfill.

IPL Proposes Expanded Customer Choice, Energy Efficiency, Pricing Options - 2006-08-29
Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) has unveiled a plan to bring expanded renewable energy options, energy efficiency and pricing options to its nearly 465,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers.

Alternative fuel vehicle sales growing - 2006-08-29
With high prices and rising energy costs, more Americans are buying alternative fuel autos, including diesel, hybrids, and ethanol fuel vehicles.

Interactive energy map launched - 2006-08-29
The Government's Energy Review outlined plans for another big push on renewables up to 2020 and progress on their development can now be easily tracked via a dynamic DTI web facility that is launching today.

California Formally Adopts Performance-Based Solar Incentives - 2006-08-29
The plan, a 10-year, $2.9 billion program designed to foster increased used of solar energy in the state, now will include a performance-based incentives. The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) adopted the plan last week following the signing of SB1 into law.

PML’s In-Wheel Motor, Plug-in Series Hybrid MINI - 2006-08-28
The vehicle supports an all-electric range of 200-250 miles and has a total range of about 932 miles (1,500 km). The car accelerates from 0-62 mph in less than 5 seconds.

Midwestern Governors Association Throw Support Behind 25x25 Initiative - 2006-08-28
Over the last two years, support has been building for the 25x'25 initiative, which would tap renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biogas and biofuels. More than 250 organizations and businesses from across the country have endorsed the vision.

Approval Handed Down for Largest Federal Land Wind Project - 2006-08-28
The 200 megawatt (MW) project will generate enough electricity to supply approximately 50,000 homes.

BP Launches Consumer Carbon Offset Program in UK - 2006-08-24
BP has launched a UK program to offset the CO2 emissions caused by driving. Called targetneutral, the non-profit initiative allows drivers to calculate the cost of the annual CO2 reduction required to make their vehicle CO2 neutral.

Wave Hub in SW England Gains Funds, Needs Consent - 2006-08-24
Wave Hub, the deep-sea electricity socket that will connect up to four wave energy devices to the national grid 10 miles off the Cornish coast, received almost one fourth of the funding needed from the UK Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Marine Renewables Deployment Fund.

Illinois Unveils Plan for Energy Independence - 2006-08-24
Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich unveiled a long-term, five-part energy plan to cut in half Illinois' dependence on foreign oil using homegrown alternative sources by 2017. While some of the plan focuses on coal, the renewable sources include state crops.

New device cuts gas engine air pollution - 2006-08-24
Two U.S. scientists say they've developed a light-weight, relatively inexpensive way of reducing unburned hydrocarbon air pollutants from gasoline engines.

Halton eyes T.O.'s trash - 2006-08-24
Plans to build waste-to-energy facility Plant could take 70% of GTA trash

REC Breaks Ground on Polysilicon Project in the U.S. - 2006-08-23
The effort to curtail the silicon shortage received another boost with the recent groundbreaking of a new production facility for granular polysilicon in Moses Lake, Washington.

'Urban' Windmill Blows into Town as Energy Source - 2006-08-23
A Honolulu entrepreneur is preparing to market a new "urban" windmill that can be installed on residential and business rooftops and -- assuming the trade winds blow -- slice a huge chunk off utility bills.

Alaska Opens Its First Geothermal Power Plant - 2006-08-23
Chena Hot Springs, just outside Fairbanks, is the first geothermal power plant to come online in Alaska.

A Promising First Year Reported on Two UK Offshore Wind Farms - 2006-08-22
Annual progress reports from the two UK offshore wind farms, North Hoyle and Scroby Sands, announced that enough clean energy was produced to power almost 80,000 homes.

Governors Doyle, Richardson Announce $1 M for Renewable Energy - 2006-08-22
Governor Jim Doyle joined with New Mexico Governor and former U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson in announcing $1 million in new state funding for renewable energy and calling for a new national energy policy that focuses on energy independence.

EPA-Influenced Vehicles - 2006-08-22
After badgering American manufacturers to produce cleaner, more-fuel-efficient vehicles, the Environmental Protection Agency is about to see its first product hit the streets.

Vermont's solar forecast: Sunny - 2006-08-22
In its first year of business in 1998, Global Resource Options, a solar-energy business based in White River Junction, grossed $100,000. This year, the company's sales will approach $12 million.

Minnesota Metro Transit to Buy 150 Hybrid Buses, Move to B10 in Mid-2007 - 2006-08-22
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that Metro Transit will purchase an additional 150 diesel-electric hybrid buses and 164 new clean diesel buses to replace 314 older buses.

Boeing to Provide Solar Concentrators for Australian Outback - 2006-08-21
High-efficiency, high-priced solar cells from Spectrolab Inc. -- normally marketed exclusively for space-based satellite operations -- will soon be installed in remote Australian communities desperate for power.

Stockton snares biodiesel facility - 2006-08-21
A 2-year-old biodiesel startup company has secured a lease at the Port of Stockton to build one of the states first commercial production facilities.

Siemens Selects Iowa for Its First Wind Turbine Blade Facility - 2006-08-21
With the U.S. Department of Energy's goal of obtaining six percent of U.S. electricity from wind by 2020 and the growing public demand for clean energy, it is expected that wind energy will contribute an increasing amount of the nation's energy supply.

San Francisco Plans Green Power Community on Former Naval Shipyard - 2006-08-21
San Francisco's first neighborhood powered entirely by clean, renewable energy is planned for a 93-acre parcel at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard by collaboration between San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) and Lennar BVHP.

London Metropolitan Police Order 117 Civic Hybrids; Largest Yet Hybrids Fleet Order in UK - 2006-08-21
The London (UK) Metropolitan Police have ordered 117 Honda Civic Hybrids—the largest yet fleet deal for hybrid cars in the UK.

Biggest Cars With the Best Mileage - 2006-08-21
With gas prices continuing to soar, "big" seems quickly headed for the has-been bin.

Illinois Invests $25 Million to Help Build Five Ethanol and Biodiesel Plants - 2006-08-18
To help build five new state-of-the-art ethanol and biodiesel production facilities across Illinois, more than $25 million in new Opportunity Returns grants and additional support was announced by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich.

Wells Fargo Finances Twelfth LEED-Certified Building - 2006-08-18
Wells Fargo said it recently completed financing for its twelfth building that will undergo the Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design (LEED) certification program.

Hybrid owners get lobby - 2006-08-18
Organization will push for the existing and new incentives for users of alternative fuel cars.

New Hampshire Governor Says Renewables Are a Priority - 2006-08-18
As New Hampshire's energy demands grow, more can be done to promote renewable resources in the state, said Governor John Lynch last Wednesday at the opening of a new wood-pellet facility in Jaffrey, NH.

Secretive Solar Start-up Aims for Silicon Production - 2006-08-18
Secretive solar start-up SolarValue AG reveals solar grade silicon production plans through joint venture bid for TDR - Metalurgija in Ruse, Slovenia

Study Shows Strong Consumer Interest in Plug-in Hybrids - 2006-08-17
A new study by global market research company Synovate shows that 49% of consumers—once the concept of a plug-in hybrid was explained to them—said they would consider purchasing one, roughly the same level of consideration as standard hybrid technology.

BP Makes Major Wind Power Investment - 2006-08-17
This week, BP acquired all the shares of Greenlight Energy, a US-based developer of wind power generation projects, for approximately $98 million (excluding working capital and tax adjustments).

Even cows are chipping in to help as fuel and electricity prices rise - 2006-08-17
A Windsor company developing a system that uses animal manure to generate heat is among several Canadian efforts to tap into new sources of energy in the face of rising fuel and electricity prices and increased demand for environmental protection.

Polluted Sites Nationwide Could Become Biofuels Proving Grounds - 2006-08-17
Growing crops for biofuels summons images of fuel alternatives springing from the rural heartland. But a Michigan State University partnership with DaimlerChrysler is looking at turning industrial brownfields green.

Tesla Electric Roadster “Signature One Hundred” Series Sells Out - 2006-08-17
The electric-powered Tesla Roadster can accelerate from 0-60 mph in about four seconds. It offers the equivalent of 135 mpg and a range of 250 miles on a single charge, a combination heretofore unseen in a mass-produced electric vehicle.

Better than Hybrids - 2006-08-17
A proposed engine design approaches the efficiency of gas-electric hybrids, but could be far cheaper.

Sites Studied for Tidal Energy Farm off UK Coast - 2006-08-17
Marine Current Turbines, which installed the world's first tidal stream device off the north Devon coast in 2003 (the 300 kW SeaFlow device), is investigating the feasibility of building a 7 unit tidal energy farm in waters off Anglesey.

Million Solar Roof's bill heads to the Governor's desk - 2006-08-16
Many solar advocates thought this would never occur. After two long years, the Million Solar Roofs bill, SB 1 (Murray), passed the Senate Floor on Tuesday by a vote of 36 to 4, clearing the state legislature and heading to the governor's desk for his up or down approval.

Creating power from wave energy - 2006-08-16
The possibility of a three megawatt (3 MW) wave energy plant in the Hebridean island of Lewis is closer to development due to a recent agreement between Voith Siemens Hydro (and its Scottish subsidiary Wavegen) and npower renewables, a British subsidiary of RWE.

Wind energy demand is booming - 2006-08-16
When Austin Energy, the publicly owned utility in Austin, Texas, launched its GreenChoice program in 2000, customers opting for green electricity paid a premium. During the fall of 2005, climbing natural gas prices pulled conventional electricity costs above those of wind-generated electricity, the source of most green power.

Geothermal Technology delivers healthhy returns to the environment and the bottom line - 2006-08-16
As oil, gas and electricity costs continue to climb, more Ontario homeowners and businesses are discovering that 'going green' with geothermal solutions from Selectpower Inc. is paying off for both the environment and the bottom line.

Canadian wind power developer gains financial clout - 2006-08-15
Renewable Energy Generation Limited (REG) announced its acquisition of AIM PowerGen Corporation (AIM), giving the Canadian wind developer access to capital markets and opportunities in the fast-growing Canadian wind energy marketplace.

Wall Street's new love affair - 2006-08-15
You sense it from the waiting lists for Toyota (TM ) Priuses. You see it on the faces of the solar-energy stalwarts who are suddenly being showered with attention. You read about it constantly in newspapers and magazines. And you hear it on TV and even at the movies.

Hybrid solar lighting gaining momentum around nation - 2006-08-15
With five hybrid solar lighting systems already in place and another 20 scheduled to be installed in the next couple of months, the forecast is looking sunny for a technology developed at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Study asks if green chemistry drives profits...or just good PR - 2006-08-14
Initially motivated by government regulations and public relations concerns, more companies are now turning to "green" chemistry as a way to increase the bottom line. A newly proposed market study from Kline & Company will seek to quantify this development in the chemicals industry.

BSR launches environmental markets initiative - 2006-08-14
Business for Social Responsibility has launched a major, multiyear initiative to help businesses understand and address the world of ecosystem services. Ecosystem services refers to the "free" services that nature provides to business, such as crop pollination, soil erosion protection, water filtration, air cleaning, and other things?

Sandia and Monsato to research bioenergy - 2006-08-14
Sandia National Laboratories and Monsanto Company announced a three-year research collaboration that is expected to play a role in both organizations' interests in biology and bioenergy. The arrangement is aimed at aligning Sandia's capabilities in bioanalytical imaging and analysis with Monsanto's research in developing new seed-based products for farmers, including corn products that may be able to produce more ethanol per bushel.

Biofuels driving fund investments into crops - 2006-08-14
Agricultural markets are joining other commodities in attracting huge money flows from investment funds that see strong potential returns from wheat, corn and sugar on growing demand for biofuel, analysts have said.

20-year PPA signed for 35 MW of geothermal power in Nevada - 2006-08-14
Nevada Geothermal Power (NGP) signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Nevada Power Company, a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources, for up to 35 megawatts (MW) of geothermal power to be produced from a new geothermal power plant to be built at NGP's Blue Mountain geothermal site in northern Nevada. The power will be used by the utility to serve its customers in Nevada.

Two brothers spring for green construction - 2006-08-14
They call themselves "the (future) green capitalists in St. Louis." Mike and Steve Roberts have invested about $80 million in new residential construction that they hope will achieve certification for green buildings.

U.S. wind power approaches 10-gigawatt milestone - 2006-08-14
As the U.S. wind energy industry stayed on pace for another record year, Texas for the first time supplanted historic leader California as the top state in cumulative wind power capacity, according to the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Second Quarter Market Report.

Rap artist teams with U.N. to spread news of global water crisis - 2006-08-14
On Wednesday morning (August 9), he held a press conference at the United Nations building with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, MTV President Christina Click Here "I'm not a politician — I'm just a regular person with a heart." — Jay-Z Jay-Z And Kofi Annan Announce Their Collaboration Norman and others to announce a partnership aimed at bringing attention and relief to the many parts of the world where lack of safe drinking water is destroying communities and lives.

Nevada's SolarGenerations Program Enters Fourth Year - 2006-08-10
Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Company are currently accepting applications for the fourth year of SolarGenerations, a statewide program that provides cash rebates to electric customers who use photovoltaic (PV) technology to generate electricity.

Water wizards of the desert - 2006-08-10
AqWise, is one of this country's breakout start-ups in the expanding market for water technology.

Congressional Bill to Provide Schools with Renewable Energy Funds - 2006-08-10
Utah Congressman Jim Matheson is introducing the Renewable Schools Energy Act of 2006, which calls for up to $60 million in zero-interest bonds to be distributed to public school districts for the purchase of renewable energy products.

Researchers Fired Up over New Battery - 2006-08-10
Work at MIT's Laboratory for Electromagnetic and Electronic Systems (LEES) holds out the promise of the first technologically significant and economically viable alternative to conventional batteries in more than 200 years.

The Race to 100 MPG - 2006-08-10
Gas prices are up, fuel economy is down—but the brightest minds in auto technology are about to do something about it

Pumping power onto the grid from your basement - 2006-08-10
In a 21st century twist on Microsoft's original "PC in every home" vision, a young company has created a home energy-storage appliance that connects to the power grid--and the Internet.

Wall Street's New Love Affair - 2006-08-09
Why some of the world's smartest investors are betting billions on clean energy

Million Solar Roofs Bill Passed Unanimously by Senate Committee - 2006-08-09
On Tuesday, the reincarnated Million Solar Roofs bill, SB 1 (Murray/Levine), passed the Senate Energy Committee with a unanimous vote from all nine Democrats and Republicans present.

NY Governor Calls for 25% Reduction in Oil Consumption Over 10 Years - 2006-08-09
In a speech on Monday to the National Press Club, New York Governor George Pataki called for a national policy to be implemented over the next 10 years to replace 25% of current US oil consumption—the equivalent of oil imported today from OPEC nations—through greater efficiency, greater domestic production, and greater use of petroleum alternatives.

Technology to capture pollutants from locomotives unveiled at UP rail yard - 2006-08-09
Designed to capture pollutants released by stationary locomotive engines, the system is being touted as a near panacea for the emissions problem posed by diesels.

INTERVIEW-Manure, buses seen helping curb global warming - 2006-08-08
Manure and buses are among promising areas for investment under a U.N. project in the Third World aimed at combating global warming, a senior U.N. official said on Monday.

Up to 60 MW PPAs Signed in Nevada for Geothermal Power - 2006-08-08
Sierra Pacific Resources has signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Ormat Technologies Inc., that will add up to 60 megawatts (MW) of new renewable generating capacity to its energy portfolio.

Vestas Installs Large Wind Turbines in Czech Republic - 2006-08-08
Vestas Central Europe began the installation of two V90-2.0 MW turbines in the Czech Republic in mid-July, said to be the largest wind turbine generators in terms of hub height (105 m) and megawatt in the Czech Republic, where the legal framework allows continuous market growth.

Konarka Secures Technology Licensing Deal, Manufacturing to Begin - 2006-08-07
The company has reached a licensing agreement that will help the company and its technology go from being a promising solar start-up to a commercial-scale manufacturer of unique solar technology.

Industrial Research Supports Home Wind Turbines - 2006-08-07
Researchers at Industrial Research Ltd. are backing comments by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that promote small wind turbines for homes, saying there is rising public enthusiasm for alternative energy sources such as wind generation.

Commercial Demand for Green Development Grows, Says New Book - 2006-08-07
More than half of the world's 500 largest corporations issuing sustainability reports in 2005 say that they want to build and occupy real estate that reflects their values, according to Developing Green: Strategies for Success, a new book published by the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP).

More Geothermal Sources Found in Nevada - 2006-08-04
The Great Basin Center for Geothermal Energy, part of the University of Nevada, Reno, is observing the way the Earth's crust is shifting along fault lines using new technology that can locate geothermal energy sources, according to its director.

GM Opens First-Ever LEED-Certified Auto Plant - 2006-08-04
General Motors' new Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant has received a gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program -- the only automotive manufacturing plant in the world to receive LEED certification.

Global Marine Begins Work on Pioneering UK Wind Energy Project - 2006-08-04
The initial project will use two wind turbines 25 kilometers off the east coast of Scotland to test the viability of the Beatrice Oil Field as a future site for a commercial deep-water wind farm.

Corn Craze: One Dozen New Flex-Fuel Vehicles Bound for Market - 2006-08-04
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Twelve new flexible-fuel vehicles, including the 4.7-liter 2007 Chrysler Aspen and the 5.6-liter 2007 Nissan Armada, will soon be available for purchase, bringing the total to 31 nationwide, according to a statement by the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition.

Sharp Solar Modules Provide Co. with 40% of Annual Power Needs - 2006-08-04
The solar system's power, which comes from 5,782 Sharp 208 watt solar modules, is expected to generate 1.5 million kilowatt hours annually, accounting for more than 40% of Tony's Fine Foods energy needs and reducing the company's electric bills by $22,000 per month.

Largest biogas plant in U.S. will be built in Sioux County - 2006-08-04
The plant will use millions of gallons of manure and other organic waste to produce methane gas and a higher quality manure. It is being hailed as good for the local livestock industry, the local economy and the environment.

DOE to Invest $250 Million in New Bioenergy Centers - 2006-08-03
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced this week that it will spend $250 million to establish and operate two new Bioenergy Research Centers to accelerate basic research on the development of cellulosic ethanol and other biofuels.

China's Suntech Moves In On Japanese Solar Market - 2006-08-03
China's major solar photovoltaic player, Suntech Power is making a move on the hot Japanese solar market by scooping up one the country's larger solar companies with an established presence.

Ground Broken for First Pacific Northwest Geothermal Project - 2006-08-03
U.S. Geothermal held a groundbreaking celebration for the first geothermal power plant in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest on the project site at Raft River, Idaho.

Anlalysis: U.K. eyes deepwater wind farms - 2006-08-03
As Britain's North Sea oil and gas stocks dwindle, the government is seeking new ways of harnessing natural resources to ensure a diverse and secure future energy supply.

Flexcar Launches Car-Sharing Pilot Program for Undergrads - 2006-08-03
Flexcar is piloting a new program for college students between the ages of 18 and 20 at six universities across the US. The first campuses include the University of Portland (Ore.), University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-San Diego, University of California-Berkeley, University of Maryland and Emory University (Atlanta).

Architect Designs House that Makes Its Own Weather - 2006-08-03
Since the late 1980’s his company Enertia Building Systems, Inc. has been building homes that heat and cool themselves with the same forces that generate earth’s climate.

The new wave: Energy from the ocean - 2006-08-03
An eclectic group of entrepreneurs is harnessing the perpetual motion of the ocean and turning it into a commodity in high demand - energy.

Governor Rell Signs "Clean Cars Bill" Into Law - 2006-08-03
Recommitting Connecticut to cleaner air and more fuel-efficient cars, Governor M. Jodi Rell today signed "An Act Concerning Clean Cars" into law at a Norwalk auto dealership.

High street solar panels on sale - 2006-08-02
A major British electrical retailer is selling solar panels in high street shops for the first time.

Green revolution in big biz - 2006-08-02
There is a common misconception that it is too expensive in a highly competitive world market for large corporations to focus on reducing their impact on the environment.

Consortium to Work on Three Geothermal Power Plants in Indonesia - 2006-08-02
The Sarulla project represents the largest single-contract geothermal project to date in the geothermal industry worldwide and is a reflection of the large scale and high productivity of Indonesian geothermal resources, as well as an indicator of the potential of the Indonesian geothermal power industry.

Wisdom sown in organic field - 2006-08-02
There's a lesson in that: If you give customers something they prize, in a world that seems to ignore their wishes, they will go beyond being customers to serving as advocates -- and even in some cases reach into their bank account to help you grow.

How Australia got hot for solar power - 2006-08-02
Down under, they're all over alternative energy - starting with a 1,600-foot tall "solar tower" that can power a small city.

Vail Resorts goes 100 percent wind power - 2006-08-02
Vail Resorts becomes second-largest corporate buyer of wind power in the U.S.

CPUC Releases New Draft Ruling on California Solar Initiative - 2006-08-01
The rebate level in this draft increases to $2.50 per watt installed, up from $1.50 in the previous draft.

NY Governor Signs Bill Prohibiting Exclusivity Contracts; Designed to Encourage Renewable Fuels Sales - 2006-08-01
New York Governor George Pataki signed legislation that will prohibit the use of exclusivity contracts between fuel distributors and gas stations that have limited the availability of renewable fuels for consumer use in their vehicles.

DOE Awards $116M to Small Businesses for Research; Energy Storage for Hybrids and EVs Included - 2006-08-01
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $116 million in grants to small businesses for research under the department’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Energy company makes deal with Nova Scotia Power - 2006-08-01
Renewable Energy Services Ltd. said yesterday it has made a deal with Nova Scotia Power Inc. to sell a total of 6.4 megawatts to its parent company Emera Inc. for $1.4 million per year.

Solar Polysilicon Manufacturer Plans Expansion - 2006-08-01
Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, based in Hemlock, Mich. (USA), is launching a worldwide search for a second manufacturing site to produce polycrystalline silicon to support the growing demand from the solar industry and electronics markets.