Green Investing News

January 2007 News Archives

SatCon Wins Naval Propulsion Motor Technology SBIR Contract - 2007-01-31
SatCon Technology Corporation, a developer and supplier of power management and system architecture solutions for the alternative energy and distributed power markets, has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract with the US Navy to develop insulation technology for advanced propulsion motor designs for future all-electric ships.

CO2 injection newest tool in global warming fight - 2007-01-31
Researchers want to inject carbon dioxide more than 3,000 feet into the ground to study if the gas linked to global warming can be diverted from the atmosphere and stored deep beneath Earth's surface.

GM Urges Feds to Fund Major Battery Research and Development Effort - 2007-01-31
In testimony before the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources today, GM Vice President for Environment and Energy Beth Lowery urged the government to fund a major effort to strengthen domestic advanced battery capabilities—specifically lithium-ion batteries.

Report: Volkswagen Changing Strategy for Hybrids - 2007-01-31
Now, rather than target a mild hybrid Jetta for sale into the California market in 2008 as described by Pischetsrieder, Volkswagen will focus first on a full hybrid Touareg SUV. VW has announced a 50-state compliant (Tier 2 Bin 5) diesel Jetta will go on sale in the US in 2008.

Texas Power Company to Boost Solar Capabilities - 2007-01-31
Although Austin Energy is falling behind its goal to expand the supply of solar energy in Austin, Texas, the company is pursuing new plans that would create a massive facility in West Texas and significantly increase the city's renewable energy capacity.

Survey: Canadians Support Higher Fuel Economy Standards as Top Measure to Counter Global Warming - 2007-01-31
A Strategic Counsel survey for Canada’s The Globe and Mail and CTV found that higher fuel-economy standards and forcing consumers and industry to switch to alternative fuels rank No. 1 (86%) and No. 2 (80%) in terms of what Canadians are most likely to support to counter global warming.

Wind to Power Research Base in Antarctica - 2007-01-30
Using wind turbines marks a major change in Antarctic stations, which have previously relied on diesel generators because wind turbines were thought not to be sturdy enough for the harsh environment.

ZAP and Lotus to Use APX Concept as Basis for High-Performance In-Wheel Motor Electric ZAP-X - 2007-01-30
ZAP and Lotus Engineering are beginning the first phase of an engineering project to use the British consultancy’s APX ("Aluminum Performance Crossover") as a basis for designing a production-ready electric all-wheel drive crossover high performance vehicle for ZAP—the ZAP-X—in the US market.

California Asks Government to Back Grid Plan - 2007-01-29
The California Independent System Operator (ISO) is asking the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve a new financing plan that allows renewable generation developers in the state to begin paying their fair share for efficiently sized transmission after their generation begins operating -- as opposed to shouldering the costs up front.

Governor’s order takes energy-saving steps - 2007-01-29
By requiring everything from using smaller cars to embedding energy conservation into new college buildings, an executive directive by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius will change the way state government operates, officials say.

US Mayors Call for $4 Billion Block Grant to Combat Global Warming - 2007-01-29
Mayors attending the 75th Winter Meeting of The US Conference of Mayors have called for $4 billion in an Energy and Environmental Block Grant to help cities combat global warming. The mayors also launched a major campaign to create a “climate of change” in Washington.

Congress moving on climate change - 2007-01-29
The U.S. Senate, showing a new enthusiasm for the fight against global warming, begins hearings this week on competing proposals by lawmakers to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Electrovaya to Use New MN Series Li-Ion Battery Technology in NYSERDA Plug-In Hybrid Conversion Contract - 2007-01-29
Electrovaya Inc. has received an US$100,000 contract from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop and demonstrate a plug-in hybrid concept using the Ford Escape Hybrid vehicle.

Former abattoir to produce energy from dead cows - 2007-01-26
It is anticipated that the renewable energy plant, which will be operational by late 2008 and was granted a connection to the national grid earlier this month, will export sufficient energy to provide electricity for up to 9000 homes.

Making Biofuel from Pond Scum - 2007-01-26
Oil-rich plants such as soy may offer a cleaner energy alternative to diesel fuel, but Jim Sears says these food crops can't meet all our diesel needs. The Colorado-based entrepreneur says, even in America's bountiful croplands, farmers couldn't grow enough oilseed crops to meet demand.

SMUD Teams with California City to Speed Solar Installations - 2007-01-26
Elk Grove, the first local government to join the three-year pilot program that will run through 2009, will waive the permit fee, use a standardized application packet, review the building application in one day, and conduct the post-installation inspection of the solar electric system within 24 hours.

Tesla Motors Opens Michigan Tech Center; Focus on Upcoming Electric Sports Sedan - 2007-01-26
The 19,240 square-foot facility will focus on R&D for future Tesla products to follow the introduction later this year of the Roadster, starting with a four-door electric sports sedan to be built by the Silicon Valley-based company.

Unions see greenbacks in 'green' future - 2007-01-26
Union leaders are betting that a green economy will not only address the issue of climate change, it will also provide a bonanza of well-paying manufacturing jobs – the kinds of jobs that have largely vanished from the United States in recent decades.

Industries, Universities and Local Governments Team Up to Turn Waste Into Watts - 2007-01-26
To make this a reality and to curb natural gas and petroleum use, planners and scientists from Purdue, central Indiana's Clinton County and city of Frankfort, and industries Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) and Indiana Clean Energy LLC (ICE) are joining forces to use waste to produce methane for conversion to electricity.

A123Systems Closes $40 Million Round; Targeted for Expanding Product Portfolio and Scaling Manufacturing of Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Batteries - 2007-01-25
A123Systems has completed a $40 million round of funding, bringing the total capital invested in the company to $102 million.

Ormat and DOE to Validate Electricity Generation from Oilfield Heat - 2007-01-25
Ormat Technologies, Inc., a geothermal and recovered energy business, has signed a shared-cost Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Department of Energy (DOE) to validate the feasibility of using geothermal power generation technology for the production of commercial electricity using hot water produced during the process of oilfield production.

USDA Announces Plan for $1.6 B Investment in Renewable Fuels - 2007-01-25
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns plans to propose $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy, with a focus on cellulosic energy research and production, as part of the Administration's 2007 farm bill proposals.

Biofuel Pays Off For Ciy Bus Fleet - 2007-01-25
City buses using biodiesel fuel get better gas mileage, have cheaper repair costs and an overall lower operating costs per mile than buses burning petroleum diesel, a recently released study shows.

Toyota Sees 40 Pct Jump in '07 Global Hybrid Sales - 2007-01-25
Toyota Motor Corp. said on Wednesday it is aiming for a 40 percent jump in its global sales of gas-electric hybrid vehicles to 430,000 units this year.

GM and Toyota Continue to Lessen Landfill - 2007-01-24
The world’s two largest automakers, GM and Toyota, each recently announced additional progress in reducing waste to landfill from their operations.

Energy Grants Back Plug-In Cars, Ethanol - 2007-01-24
The Department of Energy announced yesterday $17 million in grants to support the development of battery technology for plug-in hybrid vehicles and ethanol, two areas in the energy debate where officials in Washington and Detroit are closely aligned.

Bush Addresses Climate Change in State of the Union Address - 2007-01-24
In his State of the Union Address last night, President Bush announced plans to address global climate change and energy dependence through a mandatory renewable fuel standard and increased development of solar and wind power.

Corporations urged to adapt to challenges of climate change - 2007-01-24
While politicians and scientists are seeking to understand how quickly the planet is warming, many of the world's chief executives already are feeling the heat to solve one of the biggest challenges of the 21st century.

Ford joins US 'green' car trend - 2007-01-24
Ford has become the latest US car maker to unveil a test vehicle that runs on green alternative fuels.

First Carbon-Balanced Retail Product Announced - 2007-01-23
A partnership announced today between Sam's Club, Kärcher USA, and TerraPass aims to include for the first time the cost of offsetting carbon emissions with the purchase of a retail product.

O'Malley Backs Md. 'Clean Car' Initiative - 2007-01-23
Gov. Martin O'Malley embraced legislation yesterday to reduce automobile emissions in Maryland, part of a first-session legislative package that would also freeze tuition at public universities next year and mandate millions of additional school dollars to Prince George's and Montgomery counties in future years.

Wind Power Capacity in U.S. Increased 27% in 2006 - 2007-01-23
Wind power-generating capacity increased by 27 percent in 2006 and is expected to increase an additional 26 percent in 2007, proving wind is now a mainstream option for new power generation in the U.S., according to a market forecast released today by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

Study Says Tapping of Granite Could Unleash Energy Source - 2007-01-23
The United States could generate as much electricity by 2050 as that flowing today from all of the country’s nuclear power plants by developing technologies that tap heat locked in deep layers of granite, according to a new study commissioned by the Energy Department.

U.S. ethanol plants powered by cow gas, trash catching on - 2007-01-23
Ranchers have long been fond of saying cattle manure smells like money. Now, folks in the business of making ethanol are smelling dollars too - in the methane gas emitted by manure at large cattle feedlots and dairies.

Diversa Corporation Joins Forces With New Zealand Crown Research Institutes to Develop Cellulosic Biofuels Industry in New Zealand - 2007-01-23
Diversa Corporation has formed a research program with New Zealand Crown Research Institutes Scion and AgResearch. The partners have agreed to coordinate their technology development initiatives to target the feasibility of a cellulosic transportation biofuel industry in New Zealand.

Axeon Wins First Li-ion Hybrid Electric Vehicle Battery Pack Development Contract - 2007-01-23
Axeon Holdings plc, a Scottish company which provides green energy and advanced control systems to the automotive and industrial markets, has won its first contract to develop a lithium-ion battery pack for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) program.

World's Largest Solar-Powered Roof to Be Built in California - 2007-01-22
The UK-based retail chain Tesco announced plans to build a $13 million solar installation on five-building, 820,400-square-foot distribution center in Riverside.

Report: Mitsubishi Heavy To Enter Automotive Lithium-Ion Battery Market - 2007-01-22
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. (MHI) plans to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric and hybrid cars and market them to automakers worldwide by 2010, according to a report in The Nikkei.

Energy group to offer antidotes to warming - 2007-01-22
A high-powered group including Duke Energy's Jim Rogers will unveil its plan today to address global warming by discouraging coal-fired power plant projects similar to one Rogers urged North Carolina regulators to approve on Friday.

Bush set to tackle global warming - 2007-01-22
President Bush this week is prepared to unveil what his aides have billed as a bold new national strategy to confront global climate change and work toward energy independence, even as Democrats push their own, more aggressive approach to the issue.

MIT-Led Study: Geothermal Could Supply Substantial Portion of Future US Power Need - 2007-01-22
A comprehensive new MIT-led study of the potential for geothermal energy within the United States has found that Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) technology could supply a substantial portion of US electricity well into the future, probably at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact.

Marks & Spencer Launches 200 Million Pound Eco Plan - 2007-01-16
The 100-point plan means that by 2012 M&S will become carbon neutral, send no waste to landfill, extend sustainable sourcing, set new standards in ethical trading, and "help customers and employees live a healthier lifestyle," according to the company.

Chrysler questions climate change - 2007-01-16
Chrysler's chief economist Van Jolissaint has attacked European attitudes to global warming, describing climate change as "way, way in the future, with a high degree of uncertainty".

End of the road for the US gas guzzler - 2007-01-16
Detroit car manufacturers in turmoil as Americans switch to fuel efficiency

Scientists, Christians unite on climate fight - 2007-01-16
Some leading scientists and evangelical Christian leaders have agreed to put aside their fierce differences over the origin of life and work together to fight global warming.

Bush May Get Democrats' Help to Meet Energy-Independence Goal - 2007-01-16
In every one of his State of the Union addresses, President George W. Bush has pledged to wean the U.S. off foreign oil. With the Democrats now in control of Congress, he may be able to start delivering on that promise.

Virgin Group and NTR Form Ethanol Joint Venture; Initial $336 Million Investment in US - 2007-01-16
NTR plc and Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group have formed a joint venture company—VBV LLC (Virgin Bioverda)—to exploit opportunities in the biofuels sector with particular focus on US-based Ethanol.

Jakarta going green with new accord, officials say - 2007-01-15
The city's administration is upbeat about making Jakarta one of the world's most environmentally sustainable cities after signing the Urban Environmental Accord.

Cameron will reward firms that are green - 2007-01-15
The Tory leader will call for major employers to be encouraged to pursue "socially responsible" policies. Those that adopt "green" practices, promote family-friendly hours and have a good record on health and safety could face fewer inspections and less paperwork under a Tory government.

The Volt May be First, But E-Flex is the Key - 2007-01-15
While it was the introduction of the Chevrolet Volt—a plug-in series hybrid electric drive vehicle - that generated the most excitement at the North American International Auto Show, it is the accompanying announcement of the E-Flex system that is the key, according to Nick Zielinski, chief engineer for the Volt.

Hino To Roll Out Dutro Hybrid Truck In Australia - 2007-01-15
Hino Motors, the Toyota subsidiary focused on commercial vehicles, will introduce its diesel-electric Dutro Hybrid truck in Australia this month as part of its broader effort to increase overseas sales based on the global trend for tighter emission standards.

Going green for power generation - 2007-01-15
India intensifies its search for technologies to tap large-scale renewable energy from new sources like tidal currents and geothermal reservoirs

Ethanol’s future tops priority list for Wisconsin’s bio industry - 2007-01-15
Several of Wisconsin’s top ethanol producers have joined together with state and national leaders to chart the course for Wisconsin’s bio industry. The Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance is Wisconsin’s first-ever alliance of top leaders in the bio industry.

Texas eyes Geothermal Energy - 2007-01-15
Texas is known for oil and gas, but the state said Friday it will sell its first leases for development of geothermal energy. Tracts totaling 11,000 acres in state-owned coastal waters in the Gulf of Mexico will be up for lease on Tuesday as part of an annual winter oil and gas lease sale, the Texas General Land Office said in a news release.

Congressional Energy Initiatives to be Focus at nanoTX'07 - 2007-01-12
Consistent with the findings and call to action made by the distinguished Energy Summit panel at NanoTX'06, one of the world's largest nanotechnology conferences, Congress reportedly is now acting to fund and advance the commercialization of alternative energy sources.

Iowa to Combine Wind Energy & CAES Technology - 2007-01-12
Backed by the U.S. Department of Energy, a group of municipal utilities in Iowa and surrounding states are planning to build a new energy park that would integrate a 75-150 megawatt wind farm with Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) technology.

Exxon Mobil softens its climate-change stance - 2007-01-12
In one of the strongest signs yet that U.S. industry anticipates government curbs on global-warming emissions, Exxon Mobil Corp., long a leading opponent of such rules, is starting to talk about how it would like them to be structured.

ArvinMeritor and Wal-Mart to Develop Hybrid Drivetrain for Class 8 Tractor - 2007-01-11
ArvinMeritor, Inc. and Wal-Mart Transportation have agreed to develop a diesel-electric parallel hybrid drivetrain for a Class 8 tractor. The vehicle will be based on an International Class 8 ProStar tractor and powered by an engine developed by Cummins Inc.

A hunger for power - 2007-01-11
Europe requires open markets to meet its energy needs

Forecast: US and Canada Will Regulate CO2 by End of Decade - 2007-01-11
A new report from CIBC World Markets, the wholesale and corporate banking arm of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), forecasts that all jurisdictions in Canada and the US will have carbon dioxide regulations in place by the end of the decade to address global warming concerns.

Azure Dynamics and StarTrans Sign Distributor Network for Hybrid Buses - 2007-01-11
Azure Dynamics Corporation and its shuttle bus partner StarTrans have signed nine bus distributors across North America for the marketing and sales of the CitiBus Hybrid Senator HD hybrid-electric shuttle buses.

Low Carbon Standard to "Fuel" Renewable Energy Market - 2007-01-11
World's first greenhouse gas standard for transportation fuels will spark research into alternatives to oil such as cellulosic ethanol.

European Commission Proposes New Energy Policy, Calls For 10% Biofuels by 2020 - 2007-01-11
Declaring that “the EU’s present energy policy is not sustainable,” the European Commission (EC) has proposed a three-year action plan toward a common European energy policy that would improve the continent’s precarious energy security.

US Governors Urge Aggressive Acceleration of Development, Production and Deployment of Ethanol - 2007-01-11
The 37 gubernatorial members of the Governors’s Ethanol Coalition (GEC) have released a report that recommends mechanisms to accelerate the development, production and deployment of biofuels in the short- to medium-term with a focus on cellulosic ethanol.

Officials to study global warming - 2007-01-10
As lawmakers and state officials start trying to figure out how they will fulfill their pledges to attack global warming, they will hear from nearly 20 experts during the next two weeks, from Vermont and around the country.

California Governor Announces World’s First Global Warming Pollution Standard for Motor Fuels - 2007-01-10
Through an executive order that will direct the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to begin the process of adopting the world’s first global warming pollution standard for motor vehicle fuels, the governor is accelerating action to reduce one of the leading sources of heat-trapping pollution, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

Syngenta and Diversa to Develop Enzymes for Biofuels - 2007-01-10
Syngenta and Diversa Corporation formed a 10-year research and development (R&D) partnership to develop a range of novel enzymes that will convert pre-treated cellulosic biomass economically to mixed sugars -- a critical step in the process of biofuel production.

Protection Device for PV Inverters Gains UL1741 Approval - 2007-01-10
SatCon Technology Corporation (SATC) announced that it is the first provider of high-power, commercial photovoltaic inverters to deliver and install a UL1741-approved ground-fault detection interrupter (GFDI), which is designed to cut costs for installers of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

China BAK Battery to Develop and Manufacture New Li-Ion Cells for Vehicles - 2007-01-10
China BAK Battery, Inc. (BAK) plans to construct a new facility that will focus on product development and manufacture of an advanced lithium-ion battery cell product line. The new battery cells will provide higher energy density and power, longer life cycle and shorter charge times as compared to other types of lithium-based batteries, according to the company.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Adds VUE Green Line Hybrid to California Fleet - 2007-01-10
Enterprise is growing its alternative-fuel rental fleet, adding a variety of types of alternative fuel vehicles including flex fuel, diesel/biodiesel and hybrid units in select markets across the United States.

Bush to fund alternative fuel research - 2007-01-09
President George Bush is set to promise new federal money to help make plug-in electric cars and other alternative-fuel vehicles a reality.

Cargill Subsidiary to Develop Ethanol Plants with Combined 400 Million Gallon Capacity - 2007-01-09
New Cargill subsidiary Emerald Renewable Energy LLC is planning to develop four 100 million-gallon-per-year corn ethanol plants in the Midwestern United States. The newly formed company is considering several potential sites in the Cornbelt.

Geysir Green Energy to Focus on Geothermal Projects Globally - 2007-01-09
Geysir Green Energy intends to seek market opportunities in the harnessing of geothermal energy, invest in the development and construction of geothermal plants, acquire geothermal plants currently owned by power utilities and participate in the privatization of energy companies all over the world.

Analysis: U.S. wind power boom to continue - 2007-01-09
A record 2,750 megawatts of wind energy capacity was installed in the United States last year and expectations for 2007 are even higher.

Cheaper LEDs from Breakthrough in Nanowire Research - 2007-01-09
Engineers at UC San Diego have synthesized a long-sought semiconducting material that may pave the way for an inexpensive new kind of light emitting diode that could compete with today's widely used gallium nitride LEDs, according to a new paper in the journal Nano Letters.

AltairNano Closes Additional Order with Phoenix Motorcars; Enters into Exclusivity Agreement and Takes 16.6% Ownership - 2007-01-09
In consideration for a three-year exclusivity agreement within the US, Altairnano received a 16.6% ownership in the company.

Ethanol company gets almost $1M in grants - 2007-01-08
Alternative Energy Sources Inc. has received $994,500 in government grants for plants in Illinois and Iowa.

Honeywell Awarded Unique Solar Project - 2007-01-08
Honeywell (NYSE:HON) today announced that the Pleasanton Unified School District in the San Francisco Bay Area has awarded the company a unique solar energy project, one of the first of its kind for a K-12 school district in California. Under the agreement, Honeywell will install, own and maintain solar panels on seven district buildings, and sell the electricity the panels produce to the district at a price significantly below its current utility rate.

The American Fuels Act of 2007: Bipartisan Effort Continues - 2007-01-08
Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barack Obama (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) announced Friday that they introduced The American Fuels Act of 2007 to both increase the production of renewable fuels like ethanol, and make that expanded volume of fuel more widely available to motorists nationwide.

GM Introduces Plug-In Electric Car - 2007-01-08
General Motors Chairman G. Richard Wagoner Jr. on Sunday unveiled an innovative prototype, the Chevrolet Volt -- a plug-in vehicle that derives its power primarily from electricity rather than gasoline -- as the world's automakers take on global warming and U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Syngenta and Diversa Enter New 10-year Enzyme Partnership for Cellulosic Biofuels - 2007-01-08
Syngenta and Diversa Corporation have entered into a new 10-year research and development partnership focused on the discovery and development of a range of novel enzymes to convert pre-treated cellulosic biomass economically to mixed sugars for fermentation into biofuels.

Governor offers environmental, technology agenda - 2007-01-05
Promising to make Vermont the nation's first "e-state," Gov. Jim Douglas laid out an ambitious agenda Thursday for his third term, proposing a series of intiatives aimed at improving the state's communications infrastructure and reducing harmful automobile emissions.

Enel to Build Wind Farms in U.S., Canada - 2007-01-05
Enel SpA, Italy's largest utility, said Friday it will build two wind farms in the United States and Canada with a combined capacity of 277 megawatts as part of a euro4 billion ($5.2 billion) investment in renewable energy.

KPMG: Auto Execs See Permanent Shift Toward Fuel-Efficiency and Hybrids - 2007-01-05
Automotive executives worldwide strongly agree that high oil prices have permanently changed consumers’ purchasing habits globally, driving them toward more fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids, according to an annual global survey of industry leaders by KPMG LLP, the US audit, tax and advisory firm.

EU to Urge "New Industrial Revolution" in Energy - 2007-01-05
The European Commission will call next week for "a new industrial revolution" in the energy sector to boost competition, protect the climate and ensure security of supply, a draft paper from the EU executive showed.

German Renewable Energy Usage at Record High in 2006 - 2007-01-05
Renewable energy usage will rise further in Germany this year after reaching its highest ever level in 2006, the BEE renewable energy association said on Thursday.

Permanent Biodiesel Tax Incentive Introduced on First Day of New Congress - 2007-01-05
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) applauded two biodiesel champions, Representatives Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Kenny Hulshof (R-MO), for introducing the Renewable Fuels and Energy Independence Promotion Act.

Exxon Accused of Trying to Mislead Public - 2007-01-04
The Union of Concerned Scientists released a report on Wednesday accusing Exxon Mobil of spending millions of dollars to manipulate public opinion on the seriousness of global warming.

Ethanex Energy and Eco-Energy Sign Ethanol Agreement - 2007-01-04
Ethanex Energy has entered into an agreement with Eco-Energy for the marketing of its corn ethanol production. Under the terms of the agreement Eco-Energy will purchase Ethanex’s entire output of ethanol for a minimum of five years at prevailing market prices as well as provide certain transportation and logistics services.

Powered by Solar, Financed by Third-Party - 2007-01-04
How one California winery & a San Francisco-based investment company are setting a precedent in the renewable energy industry.

Wal-Mart readies large-scale move into solar power - 2007-01-04
The company put out an RFP (request for proposal) last month to solar electric suppliers and expects to receive responses early this month, according to a representative. The move is part of a long-term plan to convert to renewable energy sources.

A123Systems-Cobasys and Johnson Controls-Saft to Supply GM with Li-Ion Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Development Program - 2007-01-04
GM has awarded advanced battery development contracts to two suppliers to design and test lithium-ion batteries for use in the Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in hybrid SUV.

Alexander pushes for cleaner air - 2007-01-04
As a new member of the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, the Tennessee Republican will join with Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware to introduce the Clean Air Planning Act, which would cap U.S. carbon emissions — a cause of global warming — for the first time.

Forecast: 2007 Likely To Be the Warmest Year Yet on Record - 2007-01-04
The UK’s Met Office, in conjunction with the University of East Anglia, has forecast that 2007 is likely to be the warmest year on record globally, beating the current record set in 1998.

Biomethane Looks Promising for 2007 - 2007-01-03
Biomethane, the focus of the January issue of Fleets & Fuels newsletter, is reported as promising as a viable renewable energy market.

Investing radar finds energy ventures again - 2007-01-03
Investors in start-ups are expected to pump even more money into energy ventures in 2007 after doubling their bets last year amid shifting politics and global-warming worries.

Raser Secures 50-Year Geothermal Lease - 2007-01-03
While the company is expanding into geothermal power generation, it plans to continue its current business in transportation, industrial and military sectors.

"Clean Energy" Answer To Iowa's Pollution And Energy Costs - 2007-01-03
Environment Iowa's new energy policies might not only save the state over $1 billion in energy bills - they could also reduce serious pollution problems and create close to 5,000 employment opportunities by the year 2020.

New Solar Homes Partnership Under Way in California - 2007-01-03
A blend of energy efficient solar homes will emerge on California's real estate market this year under the state's New Solar Homes Partnership -- a program that encourages builders to install solar energy systems on new homes as a standard feature for the home buyer, just like granite countertops.

The Top Stories of 2006 - 2007-01-02
From the passage of SB1 in California to a solar cell breaking the 40 percent efficiency barrier to a record year for wind power in the U.S., Canada and UK, renewable energy made tremendous strides over the past 12 months.

Greenhouse gas laws challenged - 2007-01-02
The imminent ban on new coal deals has already had consequences locally, with Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank, among other cities, recently abandoning efforts to extend contracts for imported coal power.

Oslo to buy greenhouse quotas - 2007-01-02
Norway plans to offset the greenhouse gases caused by state employees' flights abroad by buying emissions quotas to help combat global warming, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said.

GT Solar Opens Sales Offices in China - 2007-01-02
By forming GT Solar (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., GT Solar will expand its presence in China by opening offices in Shanghai and Beijing. Future plans include warehousing in the Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone in PuDong.

D1 Oils to Raise £50m with New Offering; 10-fold Expansion in the Works - 2007-01-02
D1 Oils, the UK-based biodiesel producer, won shareholder approval at an extraordinary meeting (EGM) to place at least 29.8 million shares at 165p, raising almost £50 million (US$98.3 million). The offering, with an approved over-allotment of up to 35.2 million shares, will provide D1 with working capital for plant development and refinery expansion, and fund agronomy research and development.

Power-Sipping Bulbs Get Backing From Wal-Mart - 2007-01-02
As a way to cut energy use, it could not be simpler. Unscrew a light bulb that uses a lot of electricity and replace it with one that uses much less.

LML Korea Licensing TNO Series Hybrid Technology; Hybrid NewBeetle as Demonstrator - 2007-01-02
TNO Automotive recently signed a Letter of Intent with LML Korea Co, Ltd. regarding the granting to LML of an exclusive licence to use the TNO-developed series hybrid powertrain control strategy for a number of specific applications.