Green Investing News

August 2007 News Archives

U.S. Ethanol Industry Ready for Renewable Fuel Standard Implementation - 2007-08-31
The U.S. ethanol industry is ready to hit the ground running as the full Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) is implemented beginning September 1.

Huge Solar Energy Project Coming To Region - 2007-08-31
A $20 million solar power project that can provide electricity to as many as 400 homes will be built next to a landfill in suburban Philadelphia, officials said Thursday.

Global warming heats up proxy season - 2007-08-31
People more than ever want companies to adhere to more responsible environmental practices to create less of an impact on global warming. And they are voicing those wants with their shares of stock.

Mexico City Outlines Green Plan - 2007-08-31
The government of Mexico City has proposed a wide-ranging “Green Plan” that, among other measures, will seek to better manage traffic flow, improve the emissions quality of the public transportation fleets, and put more emphasis on walking and cycling.

Interview: Bob Elton, BC Hydro CEO - A 100-year thinker - 2007-08-31
Elton became a chartered accountant not long after graduating and credits the experience with instilling in him his long held belief that “ethics and values come first”, no matter what.

Turbines shortage boosts wind-power costs - 2007-08-31
A prolonged shortage of wind turbines is pushing up prices for wind energy projects and forcing developers to scramble for deals long before construction begins.

Michigan governor says Canadian trash could be alternative fuel source - 2007-08-30
All that trash coming in from Canada that Michigan politicians have argued about for years is starting to look like pure gold as a source of alternative energy, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday.

Energy Efficiency Seen Easiest Path to Aid Climate - 2007-08-30
Energy efficiency for power plants, cars or homes is the easiest way to slow global warming in a long-term investment shift that will cost hundreds of billions of dollars, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Paccar, Eaton in Heavy-duty Hybrid Truck Accord - 2007-08-30
Paccar and Eaton Corp. have entered into an agreement to jointly develop proprietary hybrid technology for heavy-duty commercial vehicles in North America. The new products will be introduced exclusivelyin Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks in the North American market, targeted for initial production by the end of 2009.

Companies to Introduce Lower-Cost Algae Production System - 2007-08-29
Diversified Energy Corporation (DEC) has formed a partnership and licensing arrangement for an algae production system invented by XL Renewables, Inc. The system, called Simgae (for simple algae), utilizes common agriculture and irrigation components to keep costs to a minimum.

Kroger Becomes First National Retailer to Sell Ethanol - 2007-08-29
Kroger announced they're opening 20 ethanol fueling locations in Ohio and Kentucky, making Kroger the first national retailer to offer E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The fuel is used by Flexible Fuel Vehicles. The ethanol is made by VeraSun.

Peugeot to Show Next Version of Diesel Hybrid Demonstrator at Frankfurt; A Step Closer to Commercialization in 2010 - 2007-08-29
The new 308 Hybrid HDi demonstrator represents another step on the path towards the planned commercialization of the technology in 2010.

UN: Climate Change Mitigation Could Require Additional US$88B Annual Investment in Global Transport Sector in 2030 - 2007-08-29
The additional investment in the global transport sector required under a scenario for mitigating climate change by rolling back emissions in 2030 to current levels could reach US$88 billion annually by 2030, according to a new report issued this week by the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The green VW - 2007-08-28
By fixing up the already clean VW Golf, a group of German engineers poked holes in Detroit's story that it ain't easy being green.

Firms urged to tap into global carbon emissions market - 2007-08-28
Trading in carbon emissions has created a global carbon market estimated to be worth more than $30 billion this year, according to the Nordic-based think-tank Point Carbon.

Wells Fargo Invests in Solar, Loans Money for Green Projects - 2007-08-28
Wells Fargo & Co. announced this month a flurry of environmentally driven moves, including an investment in solar power, loans for green projects and an electricity price hedging offering to help mid-market companies manage power costs.

Water Bill Will Benefit Ports, Locks and More - 2007-08-28
A slew of new water projects is on tap throughout the U.S., courtesy of $21 billion in new federal spending that's about to get the thumbs-up from Congress.

Are energy answers in the wind? - 2007-08-28
Corzine has plan for turbines off S. Jersey coast

Kingsley Coach Announces Plans for Hybrid - 2007-08-27
Kingsley Coach, Inc. announced today that it is considering alternatives for a hybrid version of its K-3 model custom coach as part of an environmental and fuel economy push designed to make Kingsley's K-3 the first hybrid RV model on the market.

DF to invest more than US$1bn in water, infra works over 2yrs - Mexico - 2007-08-27
The Mexico City (DF) government will invest some 11.4bn pesos (US$1.03bn) in water and infrastructure works over the next two years, a source from the DF finance ministry confirmed to BNamericas.

Sales hit £2bn as Britain turns organic - 2007-08-27
Health concerns are the prime consumer motive as boom extends from food to cosmetics and clothes

Car dealers plugging in - 2007-08-27
Coloradans join 2008 sales plan for electric car

Chicago Climate Exchange to Offer Kyoto Contracts - 2007-08-24
The Chicago Climate Exchange said on Thursday it will launch a futures contract on Friday representing clean projects under the Kyoto Protocol that are designed to cut greenhouse emissions.

Thin-layer Solar Cells May Bring Cheaper Green Power - 2007-08-24
Scientists are researching new ways of harnessing the sun's rays which could eventually make it cheaper for people to use solar energy to power their homes.

Utility Shows it's Easy Being Green - 2007-08-24
To any critic who insists environmentalism is a synonym for higher taxes or intrusive government, consider what is happening with Consumers Energy:

Sony Develops Bio-Battery Powered by Glucose - 2007-08-24
Sony has developed a bio-battery that uses glucose to generate enough electricity to power a Walkman.

Climate Change to Strain China Food Supply By 2030 - 2007-08-24
Climate change and a growing population mean China, which is already losing farmland to deserts and urban sprawl, could face a food shortfall of 100 million tonnes by 2030, a top weather official said.

Federal judge: White House Must Release Global-Warming Reports - 2007-08-24
A federal judge has ordered the Bush administration to issue two scientific reports on global warming, siding with environmentalists who sued the White House for failing to produce the documents.

Renewable Energy Can Save Southeast Asia 2 trln USD in Fuel Costs - Greenpeace - 2007-08-23
Shifting to renewable energy could save Southeast Asian countries as much as two trillion US dollars in fuel costs over the next 23 years, or more than 80 billion dollars annually, environmental group Greenpeace said Thursday.

Kyoto Gives Chemical Plants Windfall Profits - UNEP - 2007-08-23
Chemical plants in China can earn substantial windfall profits by destroying powerful greenhouse gases, underlining the need for changes to the rules of a Kyoto Protocol incentives scheme, a UN report shows.

US, Canadian West Set Joint Carbon-Cutting Target - 2007-08-23
Western US states and Canadian provinces on Wednesday agreed to cut greenhouse emissions 15 percent by 2020 in the latest regional pact to regulate the gases, an approach opposed by US President George W. Bush.

Big Oil's in the House! (and the Senate) - 2007-08-23
The Center for American Progress has released a report cross-referencing oil and gas political donations with voting activity on a recent clean energy bill passed in the House of Representatives.

Imperium Backing Algae Biodiesel Startup - 2007-08-23
Imperium Renewables, the Seattle biodiesel producer that opened a 100 million gallon per year biodiesel plant in Grays Harbor County last week, is backing a Tacoma start-up that is developing a process to convert algae into biodiesel and ethanol.

China hails car trial a 'success' - 2007-08-22
A four-day scheme that took 1.3 million cars off Beijing's streets reduced air pollution by 15-20%, officials in the Chinese capital say.

State reaches settlement on gas emissions - 2007-08-22
San Bernardino County, one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation, will be forced to measure how much it contributes to global warming and set targets to begin cutting its greenhouse gas emissions in the next 2 1/2 years, according to a legal settlement announced Tuesday.

Americans Reach Environmental Turning Point...Companies Need to Catch Up According to Gfk Roper Green Gauge(R) Study - 2007-08-22
GfK Roper Consulting, a division of GfK Custom Research North America, today released its 2007 GfK Roper Green Gauge(R) study, finding the vast majority (87%) of consumers agreeing they are seriously concerned about the environment.

US Court Rules in Favor of SoCal Fleet Rules Barring Diesel Purchases - 2007-08-22
The South Coast Air Quality Management District adopted the fleet rules in 2000 and 2001 following an AQMD study showing that about 70% of the total cancer risk from air pollution was due to diesel exhaust.

More Companies Want Outsource Vendors to Green Operations: Survey - 2007-08-21
Brown-Wilson Group, a Florida company that studies the outsourcing industry, generated a green-related sub-survey while questioning companies for its larger "State of Outsourcing Industry" report. The company concluded that more corporations are dumping environmentally-unfriendly outsourcers in a trend expected to continue.

All New Nissan Models to Feature Fuel Efficiency Gauge - 2007-08-21
Nissan Motor announced that all future new models will be equipped with a fuel efficiency gauge to give drivers more information on how their driving style directly relates to fuel economy.

Kenya KenGen signs deal for 35 MW geothermal plant - 2007-08-21
The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) plans to construct a new geothermal plant that will boost generation by 35 megawatts (MW), the power producer said.

Co-operative Bank to Sponsor Green Building Program - 2007-08-21
The Co-operative Bank is lending its financial muscle to a company which offers affordable, environmentally sound housing.

Global Survey Shows "Green" Construction Costs Dramatically Lower Than Believed - 2007-08-21
Survey finds green costs overestimated by 300% and a need to foster zero net energy construction.

Farmers Call of Increased Organic Food Support - 2007-08-21
Irish farmers this week presented the Minister of State with a proposal to achieve a 5% organic agricultural output over the next five years, in an attempt to improve the current government organic scheme.

Green Chemistry: Changing an Industry - 2007-08-21
Sustainable chemistry is a baby, born thirty years ago but just now starting to crawl.

$82 million water pipeline to Lexington proposed - 2007-08-20
Louisville Water Co. once again is a player in the decade-old discussion of how best to meet the needs of the underserved water-supply districts in Lexington and surrounding areas.

'Green' schools benefit students - 2007-08-20
Under Washington's green-building legislation, all new schools and major school renovations must be built to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver standard or the Washington Sustainable Schools Protocol (WSSP), a standard for ecological and energy-efficient school design.

Canada to get more 'green homes' under U.S. home building pilot - 2007-08-20
The Canada Green Building Council will introduce a rigorous new green home certification program a year ahead of schedule by piggybacking on a U.S. pilot project instead of conducting one of its own.

Group subsidizes solar - 2007-08-20
Nonprofit GRID helps low-income homeowners save on power bills.

Renewable energy industry fueling state's job growth - 2007-08-20
The renewable energy industry is poised to become the 10th largest job sector in Massachusetts.

Kroger expands organic line, broadens customer target - 2007-08-17
The nation’s largest traditional grocer is expanding organic food offerings and targeting a broader range of customers for the fast-growing segment.

Buyers warm to geothermal - 2007-08-17
Developers are turning to geothermal energy to heat and cool residential buildings, from Shanghai to Boston, in a bid to lure buyers looking for "green" homes in which to live.

Siemens flexes muscle in hybrid coupe - 2007-08-17
On Woodward, firm shows off modified sports car that coasts quietly using its electric motor.

BAE Systems Demonstrates Hybrid-Electric Drive System for Ground Combat Vehicles - 2007-08-16
BAE Systems demonstrated the first hybrid-electric drive system for ground combat vehicles as part of the US Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program.

Ford Strives to Meet Hybrid Demand - 2007-08-16
The popularity of the Ford Escape hybrid has taken the automaker by surprise and left its potential customers howling that the gas-electric sport-utility vehicle is not widely available.

Crist: Economic boom may have green roots - 2007-08-16
Saying there's "gold in green,'' Gov. Charlie Crist predicts his sweeping efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and ratchet up use of alternative energy in the state also will provide an economic boom.

Business and Science to Join in Taking a River’s Pulse - 2007-08-16
I.B.M. sees an opportunity to create a new business based on environmental awareness.

What Would You Pay To Stay Cool? - 2007-08-16
Tucked in the massive energy bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Aug. 4 is a provision that uses $2.25 billion in matching grants to promote an energy-saving idea that appeals to both free marketers and environmentalists.

Royal Caribbean Fueling Up With Biodiesel - 2007-08-16
In a move that should help lighten the large amount of sulfur pollutants emitted from their cruise ships, Royal Caribbean Cruises has signed up to purchase a boatload (couldn't resist) of biodiesel from Imperium Renewables.

Wanted: More Green Power - 2007-08-15
The best stretches of the region's rivers have been dammed. Turning to fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas is increasingly unpopular. Leaders and residents are calling for reductions -- not increases -- in greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to avert a climate crisis.

Biodiesel Gets Boost in Mich. - 2007-08-15
Michigan's future as an alternative fuel leader took a step forward Tuesday with the opening of the state's largest biodiesel plant to date.

Brita, Nalgene Launch Plan to Promote Less Wasteful Water Use - 2007-08-15
Brita Products Co. and Nalgene Outdoor Products unveiled a program Monday aimed at steering thirsty consumers from the bottle to the tap.

How the Big Five Banks are Learning to Reap Rewards from Going Greener - 2007-08-15
Whether it's tracing the provenance of the shirt on our backs or asking about air miles required to deliver our coffee, UK consumers are increasingly demanding environmental and ethical awareness from the companies they use. And the same goes for banks and their products.

An Electric Car for the Common Man - 2007-08-14
If all goes according to plan, by 2009 you could be sticking it to Big Oil by driving an all electric, Chinese-made sedan for little more than the cost of a Camry.

VeraSun Takes Stake in SunEthanol - 2007-08-14
South Dakota's VeraSun Energy (NYSE: VSE), one of the largest U.S. producers of ethanol, said today that it made a minority investment in Massachusetts-based cellulosic ethanol developer SunEthanol.

Turning Green Into Green - 2007-08-14
If America is turning to ecologically greener energy sources, a more traditional kind of green — a stream of Wall Street cash — may just fuel the way.

Chevron expands geothermal operations in Indonesia - 2007-08-14
Chevron Corp., the only foreign business currently developing geothermal energy in Indonesia, is expanding operations at one of its power plants on Java island to bring electricity to an additional 700,000 homes, the company said Tuesday.

Dole to Make Banana and Pineapple Supply Chain Carbon Neutral - 2007-08-13
Standard Fruit de Costa Rica, the company's Costa Rican operating subsidiary, will work with the country's National Forestry Financing Fund (FONAFIFO) to wipe out the emissions from the fruits' production, packing, transport and distribution to European and North American markets.

Green Energy Hot, Price Rising - 2007-08-13
The demand for green energy has grown so much that the market for renewable energy credits may award the movement its greatest honor: an increase in price.

Less Appetite for Oil on AIM - 2007-08-13
The number of new oil and gas companies listing on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) remained static last quarter, as investor appetite for high-risk, high-reward, exploration companies continued its downward spiral.

Indian Auto Firms Race to Develop Greener Vehicles - 2007-08-13
Indian vehicle makers are joining the global race to make less-polluting greener vehicles, teaming up with international firms and pouring money into research that could result in commercially viable technologies quickly.

More German Consumers Switching to Green Power - 2007-08-10
Climate change is a matter of great concern for many people around the world, and Germans are not exception. They are increasingly trying to cut down on their carbon footprints by switching to green power.

As British taxes target gas guzzlers, sales of greener cars double - 2007-08-10
Driving a big car in London could set you back $10,000.

GM to Begin Testing Volt Electric Car by Spring - 2007-08-10
General Motors Corp. will begin road testing its Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid in the spring of next year and remains on track to produce the rechargeable car by late 2010, a senior executive said on Thursday.

Sony Cuts Power Consumption in 90 Percent of its Products - 2007-08-10
Sony lowered the power consumption of nearly all of its products in fiscal 2006, the electronics maker highlighted in its Corporate Responsibility Report issued last week.

Johnson Controls batteries on a roll - 2007-08-10
Chrysler to use them in plug-in vans being road-tested this fall

Conventional Plowing Is “Skinning Our Agricultural Fields” - 2007-08-10
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirms the “long-articulated contention” that erosion rates from conventionally plowed agricultural fields average 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than rates of soil production, erosion under native vegetation, and long-term geological erosion.

Indian auto firms race to develop greener vehicles - 2007-08-10
Indian vehicle makers are joining the global race to make less-polluting greener vehicles, teaming up with international firms and pouring money into research that could result in commercially viable technologies quickly.

Pacific Ethanol swings to a profit - 2007-08-09
Sacramento-based Pacific Ethanol Inc. on Wednesday said it earned a $2.2 million profit in the second quarter vs. a $182,000 loss during the same period the year before. The per-share profit was 3 cents.

The social responsibility revolution - 2007-08-09
It's not just about PR anymore. Firms see big profits in green solutions.

Tesla All-Electric Roadster to Hit Road by Year End - 2007-08-09
Tesla Motors' all-electric Roadster sports car will start rolling out to nearly 600 buyers lined up for the $100,000 vehicle by October or November.

GM and A123Systems to Co-Develop Lithium-Ion Battery Cell for Chevrolet Volt - 2007-08-09
The agreement is expected to expedite the development of the batteries for both electric plug-in vehicles and fuel cell variants of the E-Flex architecture.

GM and A123Systems to Co-Develop Lithium-Ion Battery Cell for Chevrolet Volt - 2007-08-09
The agreement is expected to expedite the development of the batteries for both electric plug-in vehicles and fuel cell variants of the E-Flex architecture.

Peugeot to present diesel electric-hybrid at Frankfurt - 2007-08-08
The 308 Hybrid HDi will have a fuel economy figure of 69mpg (3.4L/100km) and a correspondingly low carbon-dioxide emissions level of just 90g/km.

Tesla Battery Pack for Roadster Meets UN Safety Requirements - 2007-08-08
The primary focus of Tesla Energy Group remains the development and mass production of battery packs for the Tesla Roadster, to be released later this year.

Caribbean governments advised to increase investments in alternative energy sources - 2007-08-08
Caribbean governments were yesterday advised to invest more in alternative sources of energy to help them endure rising oil prices and slumping export prices for sugar, bananas, and rice.

Gore: Polluters Manipulate Climate Info - 2007-08-07
Former Vice President Al Gore said Tuesday that some of the world's largest energy companies, including Exxon Mobil Corp., are funding research aimed at disputing the scientific consensus on global warming as part of a campaign to mislead the public.

House Energy Bill to Boost Green Job Training - 2007-08-07
The Green Jobs Act of 2007 would authorize as much as $125 million a year for the national and state program to train workers in areas such as biofuel development, energy efficient buildings, renewable power, solar panel installation and energy efficient cars.

Japan to Study Carbon Trading for Companies - Report - 2007-08-07
Japan is set to start discussions on letting private companies buy and sell greenhouse gas emissions credits, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily said on Sunday.

Science vs. politics gets down and dirty - 2007-08-06
Malicious, vindictive and mean-spirited. These are words that might surface in divorce court. But they have been lobbed in the course of a different estrangement: the standoff between the Bush administration and the nation's scientific community.

Greening Up by Cutting Down on Plastic Bags - 2007-08-06
Grocery clerks may no longer need to ask “paper or plastic?” if local efforts to recycle plastic bags and promote reusable bags gain momentum.

The EC is committed to policies that include subsidies for alternative energy - 2007-08-06
Saving the planet may not seem like the quickest path to riches. Yet plenty of investors are betting that sustainable energy will make them lots of money.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20122975/site/newsweek/ - 2007-08-06
Since the late 1980s, this well-coordinated, well-funded campaign by contrarian scientists, free-market think tanks and industry has created a paralyzing fog of doubt around climate change.

House Passes Energy Bill - 2007-08-06
Transportation Focus on Biofuels, Mass Transit and Plug-Ins

Nation's automakers find small size matters big - 2007-08-03
After first pioneering the gas-sipping compact, then subcompact, the country's auto companies are scoring again with another downsizing — the so-called minicar.

Solar system to save AC Transit energy - 2007-08-03
AC Transit unveiled a 621-kilowatt solar power system that will help shave the transit agency's energy bills by more than $200,000 a year.

First Russian wind farm to be built in Kalmykia - 2007-08-03
A planned 150 megawatt wind farm scheduled to come online in 2010 will be the first ever to service the Autonomous Republic and Russian Federation.

House Passes Water Projects Bill - 2007-08-02
The House overwhelmingly passed a $20 billion water projects bill Wednesday night despite a promised veto by President Bush, who complains the bill is laden with costly pet projects and shifts new costs onto the government.

Azure Dynamics Signs MoU with Utilimaster for Ford E-Series Hybrid Vans - 2007-08-02
Under proposed terms of the MoU, Azure will provide Utilimaster with its P1 hybrid electric powertrains, which Utilimaster will integrate into Ford Motor Company’s E-Series commercial chassis at Utilimaster’s manufacturing facilities in Wakarusa, Indiana.

Report from Transportation Organizations Calls for 20% Cut in Petroleum Usage by 2015 - 2007-08-02
Global economic competition, metropolitan congestion, and global climate change are among the new dynamics that require “new thinking” in the US transportation system of the future, according to a major new report by 17 organizations representing the nation’s transportation builders, providers, and users.

Hybrid sales on pace for another record-breaking year - 2007-08-02
J.D. Power is forecasting total sales of 345,000 hybrids for the year, a 35% increase from 2006 when the current record of 256,000 hybrids were sold.

BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. Files for Construction Permits for California's First Cellulose to Ethanol Prodcution Plant - 2007-08-01
The facility will use green & wood waste streams as its feedstock and will produce approximately 3.1 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year as well as serve as a future demonstration facility for BlueFire's Bio-Butanol production process.

Diesel-Driven Bee Slums and Impotent Turkeys: The Case for Resilience - 2007-08-01
"Resilience thinking," the cutting edge of environmental science, may someday replace "efficiency" as the organizing principle of our economy.

'Clean electricity key to greenhouse cuts' - 2007-08-01
The world's electricity must be generated from zero or near zero-emission power plants by 2050 if a 50 percent cut in global greenhouse gas emissions is to be achieved by mid-century, Australia's environment minister said on Wednesday.

US Ethanol Production Tops 500 Million Gallons in May - 2007-08-01
Monthly production of ethanol in the US topped 500 million gallons in May 2007, according to figures from the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The 528 million gallons in May 2007 (about 406,000 bpd) represented a 38% increase over May 2006.

BMW plans "supermini" - 2007-08-01
BMW, the world's largest premium car-maker, is considering plans to develop a new "supermini", a fuel-efficient model smaller than the current Mini.

Hot rocks energy well on the way - 2007-08-01
Drilling will start soon on the well and, if successful, it is expected to generate Australia's first commercially available geothermal energy by the end of 2010.

31 Teams Are Signed Up to Compete for Automotive X Prize - 2007-08-01
The Automotive X Prize follows the model of the Ansari X Prize for private space flight, offering a multi-million dollar purse—the exact amount not yet specified—to the teams that win a long-distance stage race for clean, production-capable vehicles that exceed 100 MPG equivalent (MPGe) and meet specified emissions criteria.

US Public's View Of Energy Sources, Preferences and Environmental Issues Assessed - 2007-08-01
Close to two-thirds of respondents oppose the idea of locating a carbon capture and sequestration facility within 25 miles of their residences, and 75% oppose construction of either a coal-burning power plant or nuclear power plant nearby.