Green Investing News

April 2009 News Archives

Serious Materials Reclaims a Second Shuttered Window Factory - 2009-04-30
Serious Materials is working to revive another failed factory by rehiring workers and replacing the product line of the former owner with the California company's brand of high-performance windows.

Solar Tech: Not Just on the Roof Anymore - 2009-04-30
PHOTOVOLTAIC cells are already a familiar sight on rooftops. But one day, miniature cells may also be found in more unconventional places: power-generating windows, car sunroofs or even awnings.

First Solar 1Q profit triples on new projects - 2009-04-30
First Solar, the nation's largest solar panel maker, reported Wednesday that first-quarter profits more than tripled as the company inked numerous new power projects and cut its production costs.

Coalition supports wind energy bill - 2009-04-30
The coalition for Clean, Responsible Energy for Wisconsin's Economy (CREWE) supports the reform of wind siting rules that would help streamline the process of building new wind farms in Wisconsin, according to a CREWE press release.

CPV solar farm - 2009-04-29
ZenithSolar, an Israeli start-up company, has recently launched its first 'solar farm' near Tel Aviv, based on concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems developed by Prof David Faiman of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU).

Wind industry adds nearly 3,000 MW, group says - 2009-04-29
Wind farms added more than 2,800 megawatts of capacity in the first quarter, a trade group reported Tuesday, offering a sliver of good news for an industry pummeled by frozen credit markets and the recession.

Feds, Mayors Group Announce Plans for Clean Cities - 2009-04-28
Both the federal government and the National Conference of Black Mayors offered ideas, goals and, in the case of the feds, hefty sums of money, dedicated to making urban areas in the U.S. cleaner, healthier and more environmentally sustainable.

SCENARIOS - Players And Outcomes At Washington Climate Meeting - 2009-04-28
The United States hosts a meeting of major economies on Monday and Tuesday in Washington to relaunch a process it hopes will help lead to an international pact to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Large water main break floods downtown Baltimore - 2009-04-28
Crews have been planning repairs to two large water mains in the area, but the break occurred before those repairs could start.

UNO: Tap more geothermal energy sources - 2009-04-28
Developing more geothermal energy sources would be the country's solution to persistent power outages, the United Opposition (UNO) said on Monday.

Spain plugs in largest solar-tower power plant - 2009-04-28
Abengoa Solar of Spain on Monday reported successful tests of its second solar tower in operation, in which the sun's heat is used to make electricity.

New York readies tighter building code for green push - 2009-04-28
Mayor's office unveils tough new green building rules that will force many property owners to invest in energy efficiency

Germany Nets $8.5 Billion In Revenues From Wind Energy Plants In 2008: BWE Reports - 2009-04-28
According German Wind Energy Association (BWE), revenues from wind energy plants and their components built in Germany increased in 2008 by around 12% relative to 2007, from 7.6 billion to 8.5 billion.

ADB Study Finds Annual Economic Losses in Southeast Asia from Climate Change Could be More Than Twice the Global Average - 2009-04-27
Southeast Asia, one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change—due to its long coastlines, high concentration of population and economic activity in coastal areas, and heavy reliance on agriculture, natural resources, and forestry—is likely to suffer more from climate change than the global average, according to a new Asian Development Bank (ADB) study, titled The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review.

EU Targets Windows And Taps With Eco-Design Rules - 2009-04-27
Showers, taps, windows and home insulation will have to conform to environmental standards in the European Union, after lawmakers voted to widen the scope of existing "eco-design" regulations on Friday.

Ban Gasoline Cars From 2015 - 2009-04-27
A proposal to ban sales of new gasoline-powered cars in Norway from 2015 could help spur struggling carmakers to shift to greener models, Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen said on Saturday.

Maxwell Technologies Lands $13.5M Order for Ultracapacitor Modules for Hybrid Buses in China - 2009-04-24
Maxwell Technologies Inc. has received purchase orders with a total value of approximately US$13.5 million from three of China’s leading transit bus producers for BOOSTCAP ultracapacitor modules to support braking energy recuperation and torque assist functions in diesel-electric hybrid transit buses.

Green Product Trends: More Launches, More Sales - 2009-04-24
Research ranging from product launches to retail sales shows that green products are staying strong, with long-time green companies like Seventh Generation seeing strong sales and mainstream companies launching more green lines, AdAge reports.

U.S. Sets Survey Of Organic Farming And Marketing - 2009-04-24
The U.S. government will make its first in-depth survey of organic farming this spring, an eight-page questionnaire on which crops and livestock are produced, how they are grown and where they are sold.

Energy Regulatory Chief Says New Coal, Nuclear Plants May Be Unnecessary - 2009-04-23
No new nuclear or coal plants may ever be needed in the United States, the chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said today.

New UK Report Welcomes Moves to Promote Green Cars but Stresses Importance of Policies to Reduce Car Use - 2009-04-23
The UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), the focal point for UK research on sustainable energy, today launched an extensive review of policies which could significantly reduce transport CO2 emissions.

California Energy Commission Adopts $176M Green Transportation Plan - 2009-04-23
The California Energy Commission has adopted the state’s first transportation Investment Plan. The Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicle Technology Program’s Investment Plan allocates $176 million over the next two years to stimulate green transportation projects and encourage innovation to help meet the state’s aggressive climate change policies.

Golden Arches' Headquarters Attains LEED Platinum Rating - 2009-04-23
McDonald's global headquarters has received LEED Platinum certification, the highest level possible under the U.S. Green Building Council's rating and assessment system.

Interior Department Finalizes Offshore Energy Rules - 2009-04-23
The U.S. Interior Department on Wednesday issued long-delayed guidelines for leasing offshore areas for renewable energy production, opening the door to wind power generation off the coasts.

Picturesque Paris Rooftops To Sprout Windmills - 2009-04-23
Paris city authorities are planning to build small wind turbines into one of the world's most famous skylines to take advantage of the strong winds which sometimes sweep high points such as Montmartre.

Obama Climate Chief: U.S. Law Vital To Global Deal - 2009-04-23
President Barack Obama's top climate negotiator warned on Wednesday that international efforts to tackle global warming are doomed unless the United States enacts laws to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

California Pursues Low-Carbon Fuel Constraints - 2009-04-23
California on Wednesday is expected to adopt landmark rules to curb carbon emissions from transportation fuels despite intense opposition from some who say the proposal is biased against corn-based ethanol.

Water Levels Dropping in Some of the World’s Major Rivers - 2009-04-22
Rivers in some of the world’s most populous regions are losing water, according to a comprehensive study of global stream flows. The research, led by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colo., suggests that the reduced flows in many cases are associated with climate change, and could potentially threaten future supplies of food and water.

GE Wind eyes double-digit growth rates in 2010 - 2009-04-22
General Electric unit GE Wind, a maker of wind turbines, expects to return to double-digit growth rates in 2010, after being flat in 2009, the head of GE Wind's German business said on Tuesday.

"Frontline" investigates troubled state of Chesapeake, US waters - 2009-04-21
The Chesapeake Bay and Puget Sound provide scenic and thematic bookends for a troubling examination of what ails our nation's waterways in "Poisoned Waters," a two-hour documentary airing Tuesday night on PBS' "Frontline." Pardon the plug, but it really is TV worth watching.

Warming could spur water crisis - 2009-04-21
Colorado River water users will experience frequent shortages in the coming years as warmer, drier conditions squeeze an already overburdened resource, scientists said Monday.

Solar stocks in for a dose of reality after runup - 2009-04-21
Solar stocks have skyrocketed since March on optimism about government efforts to stimulate demand for the clean energy source, but analysts warn that with earnings season beginning, investors in the high-flying sector are in for a strong dose of reality.

Vestas Bulks Up in China - 2009-04-21
Vestas Wind Systems AS of Denmark, aiming to capture more of China's growing wind-energy market, has opened a facility in Inner Mongolia to build a turbine with bigger blades tailored for Chinese conditions.

AP IMPACT: Tons of released drugs taint US water - 2009-04-20
U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water — contamination the federal government has consistently overlooked, according to an Associated Press investigation.

Congress considers major global warming measure - 2009-04-20
The last time Congress passed major environmental laws, acid rain was destroying lakes and forests, polluted rivers were on fire and smog was choking people in some cities.

Desert clash in West over solar potential, water - 2009-04-20
A westward dash to power electricity-hungry cities by cashing in on the desert's most abundant resource — sunshine — is clashing with efforts to protect the tiny pupfish and desert tortoise and stinginess over the region's rarest resource: water.

Palestinians face dire water shortage: World Bank - 2009-04-20
Palestinians face dire water shortages because of both bad Palestinian management and Israeli restrictions, the World Bank said in a report on Monday.

'Farm fresh' movement a growing food trend - 2009-04-20
Just a few blocks away from Pennsylvania Avenue, nestled between the National Archives and the Portrait Gallery, a small farmers market offers city dwellers an abundance of locally grown produce, homemade pastries, jams and other handcrafted goods.

Li-ion Polymer Battery Maker Kokam America Is Partner of Choice for Smith Electric Vehicles US - 2009-04-17
When Smith Electric Vehicles US Corp (SEV-US) announced on 27 March its selection of Kansas City, Missouri as the site for its US assembly plant for electric commercial vehicles, SEV-US CEO Bryan Hansel named Kokam America (also based in Missouri) as the electric vehicle company’s battery “partner of choice.”

Budweiser Brewery Uses Solar Energy to Help Power Plant - 2009-04-17
More than 6 acres of ground-mounted photovoltaic solar arrays are now up and running at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fairfield, California.

Ireland's ESB Sees 3,700 Jobs From Green Investment - 2009-04-17
Ireland's Electricity Supply Board (ESB) expects private industry to create 3,700 jobs over the next five years, largely on the back of investments in green energy, the utility group said on Thursday.

Here's 5,000 Pounds - Go And Buy An Electric Car - 2009-04-17
Motorists are to be offered up to 5,000 pounds to encourage them to buy electric or hybrid cars under a new government plan.

EU Energy Overhaul May Feature Efficiency Drive - 2009-04-17
Unused funds from a European Union plan to spend 4 billion euros (US$5.3 billion) overhauling energy infrastructure could be funnelled into energy efficiency measures, according to a agreement reached on Thursday.

Asia May See More Conflicts Over Water - Report - 2009-04-17
Asia may see more conflicts over scarce water resources in the coming years as climate change and population growth threaten access to the most basic natural resource, a report warned on Friday.

EPA finds greenhouse gases pose a danger to health - 2009-04-17
The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare. It is the first step to regulating pollution linked to climate change.

Renault-Nissan Alliances Forms EV Partnership in Phoenix Metro Area; Beginning of a Phoenix-Tucson EV Charging Corridor - 2009-04-16
Nissan and the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), which represents the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan region, are forming a partnership to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of an electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

California To Get $260 Mln In US Funds For Water - 2009-04-16
California will receive $260 million of $1 billion in US economic stimulus funds slated for water infrastructure, US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Wednesday.

Michigan Awards $543.5M in Tax Credits to Four Battery Makers, Who Announce Plans for $1.7B Investment in Li-ion Battery Plants in Michigan - 2009-04-15
The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Board awarded $543.5 million in tax credits to four battery companies announcing plans to invest more than $1.7 billion in Li-ion manufacturing facilities in the state. The four companies receiving the tax credits and announcing plant plans are Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions LLC; KD Advanced Battery Group LLC; A123Systems Inc.; and LG Chem-Compact Power Inc.

Ames Laboratory and Catilin Seek to Commercialize New Nanoparticle-Based Algal Oil Extraction Process - 2009-04-15
Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory and Iowa State University have developed a unique method that uses sponge-like mesoporous nanoparticles to harvest biofuel oils from algae without harming the algae. The nanofarming technology promises lower production costs and shorter production cycles.

Environmental Education Programs Can Lead to Cleaner Air: Study - 2009-04-15
Environmental education programs can help improve air quality, according to a two-year research project funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

FEV, Inc. to Unveil Dodge Caliber-Based Range Extended Electric Concept Vehicle at SAE World Congress - 2009-04-14
FEV, Inc. will unveil a Dodge Caliber-based range extended electric concept vehicle (ReEV) powered by a UQM propulsion system and generator at the 2009 SAE World Congress next week. The range extended electric vehicle with plug-in capability was developed by FEV to demonstrate the company’s full spectrum of capabilities in hybrid engineering.

National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Batteries Opts for Kentucky Site for Li-ion Plant - 2009-04-14
The National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Batteries (NAATBatt) has selected a site in Hardin County, Kentucky to build a more than $600-million automotive lithium-ion battery plant. Kentucky was selected over Texas, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

Marriott Hotels Cuts Back on Free Newspapers to Reduce Waste - 2009-04-14
The hotel giant announced today that as of June 1 it would stop automatically giving all guests free newspapers, instead asking them to choose whether they receive a paper when they check in, or for reward program members to set their preferences in their account profiles.

Solar Power Plans Take Off at Home, Business and City Levels - 2009-04-14
No matter how gloomy the economy gets, the sun seems to still be shining bright on solar power.

Ceres and University of Georgia Researchers Focus on High-Yielding Switchgrass for Southeast US - 2009-04-13
Energy crop company Ceres, Inc., will work with University of Georgia researchers to develop new high-yielding switchgrass seed varieties and improved crop management techniques for the southeastern United States. Switchgrass, which can reach yields of 6 to 10 dry tons or more in the Southeast, is being widely considered as a raw material for next-generation biofuels and biopower.

A123Systems Raises $69 Million in New Round of Private Financing; GE Increases Ownership to More than 10%, Director of GE Global Research to Join Board - 2009-04-13
A123Systems has raised $69 million from GE and other investors to accelerate the expansion of its US lithium-ion battery manufacturing and smart grid capabilities. The capital will help support the expansion of A123’s facilities in Hopkinton, MA, and Novi, MI, as well as build planned new factories in Michigan. The funding will also support A123’s efforts to develop applications for the smart grid, such as utility-scale energy storage.

European Investment Bank Approves €866M in Loans for Cleaner Cars; Majority to Nissan and Jaguar - 2009-04-13
The European Investment Bank Board of Directors last week approved loans worth a total of €866 million (US$1.14 billion) to European-based car makers to help design and build cleaner cars with lower CO2 emissions. The loans include €400 million to Nissan’s European operations to develop and build more fuel-efficient vehicles in the United Kingdom and Spain, and €366 million to Jaguar Land Rover to help cut vehicle emissions.

European Investment Bank Approves €866M in Loans for Cleaner Cars; Majority to Nissan and Jaguar - 2009-04-13
The European Investment Bank Board of Directors last week approved loans worth a total of €866 million (US$1.14 billion) to European-based car makers to help design and build cleaner cars with lower CO2 emissions. The loans include €400 million to Nissan’s European operations to develop and build more fuel-efficient vehicles in the United Kingdom and Spain, and €366 million to Jaguar Land Rover to help cut vehicle emissions.

Organic Dairy Farming Avoided 40M Pounds of Fertilizer in 2008: Report - 2009-04-13
According to the Organic Center, organic milk production in the U.S. avoided some 40 million pounds of fertilizer in 2008. The 761,000 acres of organic feed cropland or organic pasture also dodged the use of 758,000 pounds of pesticides. Cows also given 1.7 million fewer drug treatments, including antibiotics and hormones.

DOE Forms Commercial Real Estate Energy Alliance - 2009-04-10
The U.S. Department of Energy and 19 commercial real estate companies launched the Commercial Real Estate Energy Alliance Thursday to link building owners to the latest efficiency research and technologies from the agency’s laboratories.

Los Angeles Building Retrofit Designed to Boost Green Jobs - 2009-04-10
A new law on the books in the city of Los Angeles offers big hope for both the green building and green jobs movements.

Solar Cooker Heats Up $75K Climate Change Contest - 2009-04-10
The Kyoto Box is a solar-powered cooker made of cardboard that can boil 10 liters of water in two hours and reduce the need for firewood, which will not only enhance the lives of millions in developing countries, it will shave about 2 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions from the carbon footprints of the families who use it.

Kentucky-Argonne Partnership to Help Build US Advanced Battery Industry - 2009-04-09
The Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky (UK) and University of Louisville (U of L) are partnering with the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory to establish a national Battery Manufacturing R&D Center to help develop and deploy a domestic supply of advanced battery technologies for vehicle applications.

California Raley's Receives the EPA 'Green Chill' Gold Rating - 2009-04-09
Raley's new supermarket in this San Francisco Bay Area town has been certified at the Green Chill Gold level, the Environmental Protection Agency's highest rating for businesses that deploy advanced refrigeration technology in energy efficient buildings.

AMB Distribution Center Receives Japan's Highest Green Building Rating - 2009-04-09
AMB Property Corporation's Kasugai Distribution Center has received the highest rating possible under the Comprehensive Assessment System for Building Environmental Efficiency maintained by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

New York Adds 5-Cent Deposit to Water Bottles - 2009-04-09
New York's new $132 billion budget includes provisions for a "Bigger, Better Bottle Bill" that tacks on a 5-cent refundable deposit to bottles containing water and other non-carbonated beverages.

Carbon-Intensive Mutual Funds to Become Big Losers: Report - 2009-04-09
The carbon footprints of the nation’s largest mutual funds vary wildly, with the fund with the biggest footprint 38 times more carbon-intensive than the fund with the slimmest footprint.

FedEx Express Road Test of Iveco Hybrid Van Shows Fuel Savings of More Than 25 Percent - 2009-04-09
FedEx Express and commercial truck-maker Iveco say their road test of 10 hybrid vans in Italy has shown a 26.5 percent drop in fuel consumption and a reduction of 7.5 tons in CO2 emissions in six months of testing.

Mobile Phone Industry Seeks To Clean Up Act - 2009-04-09
Mobile phone equipment makers are taking steps to clean up their act and tackle a goal of powering nearly 120,000 base stations in developing countries by cleaner energy sources by 2012, players in the industry say.

Green Groups Want Shell Oil Sands Permits Rescinded - 2009-04-09
Canadian environmental groups asked regulators on Wednesday to rescind approvals for part of a $13.7 billion expansion of Royal Dutch Shell Plc's oil sands project, alleging the company backed off promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Michigan Financiers Plan to Green Detroit with Urban Farmlands - 2009-04-08
A Michigan-based financial group has announced ambitious plans to turn large swathes of crime-ridden Detroit into urban farmland.

GM And Segway Partner on Urban Personal Mobility Electric Vehicle - 2009-04-07
General Motors Corp. and Segway are unveiling a new type of personal mobility vehicle targeted for city use. Under “Project P.U.M.A.” (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype urban vehicle that has only two wheels.

Michigan Adds Another $220M in Tax Incentives for Advanced Battery Companies - 2009-04-07
Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed legislation that increases tax incentives for companies that develop and manufacture advanced batteries. The new law adds an additional $220 million in refundable tax credits for companies involved in the development and application of advanced-battery research, engineering, and manufacturing.

Chrysler LLC Forms Strategic Alliance with A123Systems for First Generation of ENVI Electric Vehicle Lineup - 2009-04-07
Chrysler LLC and A123Systems have signed an agreement stating that A123Systems will supply Nanophosphate lithium-ion prismatic cells, and jointly developed battery modules and packs, for Chrysler’s first-generation ENVI Range-extended Electric Vehicles and battery-only Electric Vehicles.

HP's 2008: Millions of Pounds Recycled, Emissions Reduced, Green Design Embraced - 2009-04-07
2008 was a busy year for Hewlett Packard's green efforts: in addition to reducing its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 4 percent over 2007 figures (that's in absolute terms; relative to revenue HP cut emissions by 13 percent in 2008), the company made big strides in e-waste recycling, green design of IT products, and supply chain emissions reporting.

South Africa To Unveil Energy Crisis Plan After Vote - 2009-04-07
South Africa's ANC party, expected to win elections this month, is promising a new energy strategy to tackle power shortages and cut greenhouse gases that account for more than two-fifths of the continent's emissions.

Optimal Energy to Introduce Pilot Fleets of Joule EV by 2010, Mass Production by 2012 - 2009-04-06
Optimal Energy, the Cape Town, South Africa-based company that unveiled the Joule full battery-electric multi-purpose urban passenger vehicle to the world at the Paris Motor Show in 2008, plans to have pilot fleets on the road in South Africa and globally from 2010 onwards, with mass production to start in South Africa from 2012.

Renault, Nissan To Supply Electric Cars In Ireland - 2009-04-06
France's Renault and Japan's Nissan will supply electric cars to the Irish market within two years as part of a government plan to have 10 percent of vehicles electric by 2020, Ireland's Energy Minister said on Friday.

Japan Mulls Subsidies On Green Car Sales - Nikkei - 2009-04-06
The Japanese government may start offering subsidies of up to 300,000 yen (US$3,000) on hybrid cars and other environmentally friendly vehicles to cut greenhouse gas emissions and boost sagging auto sales at the same time, the financial daily Nikkei said in its Saturday edition.

Government of Canada to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Vehicles; Prefers Harmonized North American Standard - 2009-04-03
The Government of Canada will introduce new regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from the automotive sector under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA).

Green Buildings Earn Higher Rents, Study Finds - 2009-04-03
A clear link between buildings boasting a high Energy Star rating and those commanding high rental premiums has been revealed by a new study of US commercial properties.

General Motors to Seek $2.6B to Build Plug-In Hybrids - 2009-04-03
General Motors this week asked the federal government for an additional $2.6 billion in low-interest loans, which the company said it would put to use to develop new hybrid vehicle lines.

Ceres Report Outlines 600+ Green Insurance Offerings - 2009-04-03
Insurers are steadily taking climate change into account when developing or adding to insurance offerings. A new report from Ceres outlines the 640-plus climate-related insurance initiatives worldwide. But while that number has jumped drastically in recent years, Ceres said it's not increasing fast enough.

Sears to Sell Eco-Friendly Men's Suits Made of Recycled Plastic Bottles - 2009-04-03
The U.S. arm of Teijin Fibers Limited is partnering with Sears and the maker of the retailer's private label apparel to fashion men's suits from a blend of wool and polyester fibers that are produced from recycled PET bottles.

New Indiana-Based Cleantech Research Partnership; First Activities in Heavy Hybrids and Plug-ins - 2009-04-02
A new Indiana-based cleantech partnership—The Energy Systems Network (ESN)—launched on Tuesday. The ESN brings together private firms, research institutions and public agencies focused on bringing new energy technologies to market through leveraging Indiana’s manufacturing sector and R&D capabilities.

Tesco Tests In-Store Recycling for Shoppers in Drive to Cut Packaging - 2009-04-02
Tesco is embarking on a six-week trial program that will enable customers at two stores to leave whatever packaging they deem excessive, or don't want, at the supermarket.

The Rx for Greening a Healthcare Facility - 2009-04-02
Healthcare facilities are so energy- and resource-intensive that they represent a tremendous opportunity for improving energy management, while at the same time lowering operating costs and helping reach the goal of improving human health.

Global Organic Cotton Sales Up 63 Percent In 2008 - 2009-04-02
Global retail sales of organic cotton apparel and home textile products climbed 63 percent in 2008 to $3.2 billion, a report said on Wednesday.

Optare Introduces Battery-Electric Bus - 2009-04-01
UK-based Optare PLC has introduced the Solo EV, a full battery-electric bus. The Solo EV is a progression of the established Solo family of buses. The Solo EV is available in lengths of 8.1m, 8.8m and 9.5m and widths of either 2.3m or 2.5m.

Carbon-Neutral, Five-Star Hotel Planned in China - 2009-04-01
Mayland Seaside Hotel, a five-star hotel project to be situated along the Zhujiang River, will feature an architecture style focused on sensibility to social responsiveness, energy use, urbanism and ecological awareness.

McDonald's Agrees to Study and Push Best Practices for Reducing Potato Pesticides - 2009-04-01
In response to shareholder concerns, McDonald’s Corporation -- the largest potato buyer in the U.S. -- has agreed to survey its American supply chain and promote best practices for reducing the use of pesticides on spuds.

Pizza Fusion Expands Eco-Friendly Dining Franchise to Saudi Arabia - 2009-04-01
Pizza Fusion, the casual dining chain of restaurants that lays claim to having the only LEED-certified pizzerias in the U.S., plans to open a franchise in Saudi Arabia.