Green Investing News

August 2009 News Archives

California Energy Commission Awards eTec $8M in Support of Transportation Electrification Project - 2009-08-31
The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded Electric Transportation Engineering Corporation (eTec), a subsidiary of ECOtality, an estimated $8 million to support the deployment of charge infrastructure and electric vehicles (EVs) in the San Diego region that is part of eTec’s project awarded $99.8 million in Recovery Act funds from the Department of Energy.

Aramark to Add 50 Green Vehicles to Uniform Services Fleet - 2009-08-31
Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel Inc. is adding 50 alternative fuel vehicles to its fleet, the 11th largest private fleet in the United States.

NZ government committee backs carbon trading scheme - 2009-08-31
New Zealand should retain emissions trading as its primary tool to fight climate change, a parliamentary review panel said on Monday, but gave few specifics on how the existing trading scheme might be changed.

French nuclear workers see risks as conditions worsen - 2009-08-31
Worsening working conditions, inadequate pay rises, pressure to work faster and safety concerns -- these are the familiar grievances of a disaffected work force.

LDK to develop solar projects with China's Suqian city - 2009-08-31
LDK Solar Co Ltd on Monday said it agreed with the Chinese city of Suqian to develop up to 300 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar projects by 2015.

Retailers to Develop Green Rating System for Port Truck Fleets - 2009-08-28
Best Buy, Target and JCPenney are among a group of retailers, trucking companies and ocean carriers developing a green certification and rating system for port delivery trucks.

Cheap wheat to help meet EU fuel demand - 2009-08-28
A sharp decline in wheat prices driven by a supply glut is set to lead to more of the grain being turned into motor fuel in the European Union.

Big role urged for energy research in climate pact - 2009-08-28
Research into clean energy technology should get a leading role in new U.N. climate pact ahead of ever tougher curbs on greenhouse gas emissions, a study said on Friday.

Northrop to clean up Calif. water at Superfund site - 2009-08-28
Northrop Grumman Corp on Thursday reached a settlement with U.S. environmental regulators that requires the aerospace giant to spend about $21 million to clean up groundwater pollution dating from World War II manufacturing through the 1980s.

Ener1 to Take 31% Stake in EV Maker Think Global; Think City Production Moves to Valmet in Finland - 2009-08-27
Lithium-ion battery manufacturer Ener1, Inc. is taking the lead among a group of investors that plans to inject $47 million of equity funding into Think Global AS, the Norwegian electric vehicle producer. Ener1, Inc. is the parent company of EnerDel, a leading manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion automotive battery systems based in Indianapolis and an existing supplier to Think.

USGBC Confronts Challenges of Green Building Performance - 2009-08-27
Ramping up efforts to ensure that green buildings deliver on their promise, the U.S. Green Building Council rolled out a sweeping initiative this week to amass data on all LEED-certified structures and use the information to help close any gaps between expected and actual performance.

Zero-Interest Energy Efficiency Loans Flourish in the U.K. - 2009-08-27
Thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses in the United Kingdom will soon have access to expert advice and financial assistance to save them millions of pounds in energy costs.

History can no longer guide farmers, investors: U.N. - 2009-08-27
Climate change has made history an inaccurate guide for farmers as well as energy investors who must rely on probabilities and scenarios to make decisions, the head of a United Nations agency said on Wednesday.

Ban on scrap polysilicon to boost China solar sector - 2009-08-27
A Chinese ban on imports of a waste material used for solar wafers may be bad news for foreign competitors but it is a big boost to China's solar sector.

Better Place to Conduct Pilot Project in Tokyo for Electric Taxis with Switchable Batteries; Research Partnership with University of Melbourne - 2009-08-26
Better Place has received an award from the Japanese government to conduct a pilot project in Tokyo for the world’s first electric taxis with switchable batteries. Better Place will partner with Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, in the project commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry’s Natural Resources and Energy Agency.

Mitsubishi Heavy to Enter Lithium-ion Secondary (Rechargeable) Battery Business - 2009-08-26
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has decided to build a commercial production verification plant in Nagasaki Prefecture and launch its operation by autumn 2010 in a move toward the company’s full-scale entry into the lithium-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery market.

Anderson's New Window Line Features Recycled Sawdust, Glass - 2009-08-26
Anderson Windows has launched a new series of windows incorporating recycled sawdust and glass in a product that can help earn LEED points and is also eligible for a federal tax credit.

Houston Airport to Slash Emissions With Upgraded Energy Systems - 2009-08-26
The George Bush Intercontinental Airport will be getting new energy systems that are expected to cut its emissions by 60 percent thanks to $8.8 million in government grants.

World's Largest Firms Must Move Twice as Fast on Climate, Report Finds - 2009-08-26
The world’s 100 largest companies may be making progress on lowering their greenhouse gas emissions, but they are significantly falling short of the recommended reductions scientists warn are needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Energy Harvesting System to Gather Drive-Thru Power - 2009-08-26
People pulling into hotels or stopping for some fast food will soon be creating energy without doing anything special.

U.S. grants $300 million for alternative fuel vehicles - 2009-08-26
The U.S. Energy Department will award $300 million to a clean cities program to help communities buy alternative fuel vehicles, Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu said on Wednesday.

Terra Firma buys Everpower Wind - 2009-08-26
British private equity firm Terra Firma said it has bought Everpower Wind Holdings in a deal that a source said was worth around $350 million, looking to tap into the growing renewable energy sector.

Scotland Sets Ambitious 'Zero-Waste Society' Goal - 2009-08-25
The Scottish government could ban recyclable materials such as glass, metals, textiles and wood from being sent to landfill, under new plans designed to help Scotland meet its goal of becoming one of the world's first "zero-waste societies."

Shareholders Up the Ante to Get Companies to Address Climate Change - 2009-08-25
Investor activism in North America grew during the 2009 proxy season with a record number of shareholder resolutions filed to pushpublic companies toward addressing climate change.

Cheaper, Spray-On Solar Panels Could Appear in Three Years - 2009-08-25
Researchers at the University of Texas have developed a method to create photovoltaic panels at one-tenth the cost of existing technologies using nanoparticle "inks" to generate electricity from the sun.

German wind power moves further out to sea - 2009-08-25
A pioneering German wind power plant's new high-tech equipment, to capture higher winds further offshore and for longer periods, is exciting the industry.

U.S. needs climate law before Copenhagen: officials - 2009-08-25
The United States needs to have a climate change law in place before international talks on a climate pact begin in December, two top Obama administration officials said on Monday.

French Minister sees carbon tax in 2010 budget - 2009-08-25
France's proposed carbon tax is expected to be included in the 2010 budget but will probably be set below the 32 euros per metric ton level recommended by a special advisory panel, Budget Minister Eric Woerth said on Tuesday.

Study Finds Water Use for Switchgrass Ethanol Production Approximately the Same as for Gasoline - 2009-08-24
In the US, producing one gallon of ethanol from switchgrass consumes approximately the same net amount of water as does producing a gallon of gasoline from conventional crude or oil sands oil, according to a study by Argonne National Laboratory researchers presented at the 238th national meeting of the American Chemical Society last week.

DOE to Release $37M to Small Businesses Developing Cleantech Efficiency Solutions - 2009-08-24
Small businesses developing near-term cleantech solutions to improve energy, water and manufacturing efficiency at facilities are eligible for Recovery Act funds totaling $37 million from the U.S. Department of Energy.

UMC to set up new firm for solar investments - 2009-08-24
Taiwan's UMC, the world's No.2 contract chip maker, is following sector leader TSMC by diversifying into solar-related markets as they look for new growth drivers beyond chip foundries.

China legislators seen mulling renewables fund - 2009-08-24
China's legislators are discussing a new fund to develop renewable energy technologies, Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.

Climate change opens Arctic route for German ships - 2009-08-24
Two German ships set off on Friday on the first journey across Russia's Arctic-facing northern shore without the help of icebreakers after climate change helped opened the passage, the company said.

Series Production of Second-Generation smart Electric Drive to Begin in November - 2009-08-21
Series production of the second-generation electric drive smart for two will begin in mid-November 2009 at the smart factory in Hambach, France.

Massachusetts to Accept Only Waste-Derived Biofuels to Qualify for Mandate for Diesel and Home Heating Oil - 2009-08-21
Only biofuels derived from waste feedstocks will initially be considered to qualify as an advanced biofuel to meet the Massachusetts Biofuels Mandate for diesel and home heating oil, according to the plan unveiled by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), in coordination with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Aramark Brings Green 'To Go' Containers to College Dining Halls - 2009-08-21
Aramark introduces a resuable container for takeout food orders at college cafeterias this fall in a program the food service giant says can divert as many as 2 million disposables from landfills in a single school year.

EU wind power seen steady in 2009 despite crisis - 2009-08-21
Europe looks set to build slightly more wind capacity this year than in 2008, despite weakening electricity demand due to the economic crisis, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) said on Friday.

Algal Fuels Consortium (AFC) Wins $2.724M Australian Development Grant; Commercial Partner Sancon Has Rights for Commercialization in China - 2009-08-20
The Algal Fuel Consortium (AFC) recently won an A$2.724-million (US$2.259 million) research grant under the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism’s Second Generation Biofuels program in Australia.

BASF Named Building Materials Supplier for Masdar City - 2009-08-20
BASF, the world's largest chemical company, has become the preferred supplier of building materials and systems solutions for the construction of Masdar City, the futuristic development that is to become the first carbon-neutral and waste-free city.

Water, Water Everywhere -- and Everywhere Under Threat - 2009-08-20
Water, as we have often said, is the new carbon: the latest resource that must be conserved, and the latest element of business operations that must be measured, managed and reduced.

Sam's Club Offers a Sweet -- and Fair -- Deal for Coffee Lovers and Farmers - 2009-08-20
The list of responsibly sourced products entering the marketplace keeps growing with the news that Sam’s Club just added more Fair Trade items to its offerings.

Climate Group Promotes Clean Energy Economy As Path to Job Creation - 2009-08-20
The Alliance for Climate Protection's Repower America campaign and Blue Green Alliance are promoting the job creation that can come about from clean energy policies with a nationwide tour.

Suntech profit tops Wall St. view, trims forecast - 2009-08-20
Suntech Power Holdings Co Ltd posted higher-than-expected second-quarter profit on Thursday, but trimmed its forecast for full-year shipments to the bottom end of its previous range.

ReneSola wins $706 million China solar power plant deal - 2009-08-20
Chinese solar wafer manufacturer ReneSola won exclusive rights to develop a $706 million, 150-megawatt solar power plant in northern China, sending its share price sharply higher.

DuPont to invest $120 million in solar projects - 2009-08-20
Chemical maker DuPont said on Thursday that it would invest $120 million to boost production of a popular solar cell product.

CFTC muscles into emerging U.S. carbon market - 2009-08-20
A proposal by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to oversee a greenhouse gas contract on a voluntary Chicago trading exchange shows the agency is staking out its territory before Congress decides which agencies should regulate the country's burgeoning carbon market.

Climate change threatens Central American coffee - 2009-08-20
Scientists expect climate change to dramatically affect coffee production in Central America in the coming decades, but some lowland farmers in Guatemala say they are already feeling the effects.

GM’s Approach to Integrating Smart Plug-ins to the Smart Grid Leverages Emerging Standards and OnStar - 2009-08-19
While the ultimate vision of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) operating as smart nodes in the smart grid offers compelling benefits for both end users and utilities, achieving that vision will require coordinated development and a staged, evolutionary implementation involving both the utility and automotive industries, according to George Bellino, GM manager of strategic programs, in a presentation at the Plug-in 2009 conference in Long Beach, California last week.

Ford Testing Intelligent System for Plug-in Vehicle to Grid Communication to Manage Charging - 2009-08-19
Ford Motor Company has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications and control system for its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that communicates directly with the electric grid. The new technology, which builds on Ford technologies such as SYNC, SmartGauge with EcoGuide and Ford Work Solutions—allows the vehicle operator to program when to recharge the vehicle, for how long and at what utility rate.

U.S. Colleges Set a Green Course - 2009-08-19
It's the time of year when college students return to campuses across the United States. As the 2009-2010 year dawns upon them, many students will find their schools taking action to reduce their environmental impact.

Toyota to buy batteries for hybrids from Sanyo: source - 2009-08-19
Toyota Motor Corp will buy hybrid-car batteries from Sanyo Electric Co, a source familiar with the matter said, as the automaker struggles to meet growing demand for the fuel-sipping vehicles due to a shortage of battery supply.

Unions favor deep CO2 cuts and green jobs - 2009-08-19
Trade unions are supporting deep cuts in greenhouse gases as part of a planned U.N. climate pact and want to ensure jobs are preserved in a shift to a green economy, a leader of a global labor group said on Tuesday.

An Education in Energy Efficient Schools - 2009-08-19
For parents who want their children to perform well in school and enjoy healthy childhoods, the new school season presents the perfect opportunity to ask "Does where students learn impact how they learn?"

On the Waterfront: Clean Truck speeds ahead - 2009-08-18
Launched 10 months ago with dire predictions of cargo disruption, price hikes and a mass exodus of drivers, the ports' Clean Truck program appears to be proceeding well ahead of schedule in its effort to rid the harbor of the worst polluters.

UC Davis Study Finds That Ultracapacitor-based Micro-Hybrid Systems Can Deliver Substantial Fuel Economy Improvements - 2009-08-18
Using a micro-hybrid system featuring carbon/carbon ultracapacitor units as energy storage can result in significant increases in fuel economy over a baseline conventional vehicle, according to a study by Dr. Andrew Burke at UC Davis.

Green dollars moving to smart grid, energy storage - 2009-08-18
The U.S. green technology sector, which suffered a drop in funding early this year, is seeing renewed interest with venture dollars flowing in once again to promising startups and some companies looking to resurrect public offerings that had been set aside.

First Solar, SoCal Edison set new solar projects - 2009-08-18
First Solar Inc and utility Southern California Edison said on Tuesday that they would build two photovoltaic solar power projects with a capacity of 550 megawatts.

India must invest in green technology: PM Singh - 2009-08-18
India's prime minister said on Tuesday the country must invest in its own environmentally friendly technologies, the latest in myriad pledges from one of the world's biggest polluters to fight climate change.

Ontario to launch wind forecasting service in 2010 - 2009-08-18
The Canadian province of Ontario plans to launch a centralized wind forecasting service next year, its bulk electricity manager said on Tuesday, as it tries to add more wind-generated energy to its grid.

CFTC seeks to boost oversight of carbon trading - 2009-08-18
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Monday proposed increasing federal oversight of the Chicago Climate Exchange's carbon spot contract.

German firms create new U.S. solar thermal company - 2009-08-18
German solar thermal company Solar Millennium AG and plant builder MAN Ferrostaal AG have joined forces to capture a chunk of the growing U.S. market for solar thermal power.

FEV, Inc. Partnering with EIG on Li-Ion Pack Development for Range-Extended Electric Vehicle Project - 2009-08-17
FEV, Inc. is developing a 21 kWh Li-ion battery pack utilizing cells from Korea-based Energy Innovation Group (EIG Ltd.) for a Range-Extended Electric Vehicle (ReEV) project. The battery pack is expected to be demonstrated in a ReEV concept Dodge Caliber that was shown by FEV at the 2009 SAE World Congress.

China study urges greenhouse gas caps, peak in 2030 - 2009-08-17
China should set firm targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions so they peak around 2030, a study by some of the nation's top climate change policy advisers has proposed ahead of contentious talks on a new global warming pact.

Canada loses out as U.S. ups green ante - 2009-08-17
The Obama administration's titanic $60 billion spending plan for the U.S. clean energy sector is luring investors away from green businesses in Canada, threatening the industry's growth here.

Solar power offers light and hope to Bangladesh villages - 2009-08-17
Straw fences and tin roofs: the homes in Pritomoddi village are typical of millions of others across rural Bangladesh, except for one thing: the shiny solar panels that provide electricity, all the time.

Australia to split green energy from carbon laws - 2009-08-17
Australia's government said on Sunday it would split planned legislation to promote renewable energy from its controversial proposal for carbon trading, giving in to a key demand by the conservative opposition.

Indian wind farm operator plans AIM float - 2009-08-17
An operator of wind farms in India said on Monday it hoped to float on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) at the end of August.

Green power may help Trabant trundle back to life - 2009-08-17
One of the most endearing symbols of communist East Germany, the stinky two-cylinder "Trabant" will roar back to life at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September -- as an electric concept car.

Green Builders Welcome Boost in London - 2009-08-14
The UK's green building sector received a dual boost with the recent announcement of plans for a new £4 million [about US$ 6.6 million] fund to support building improvements in London and the opening of one of the country's first community energy developments in Hackney.

Cash for Clunkers Comes to the Kitchen with Fridge Recycling Program - 2009-08-14
DTE Energy this week announced that it had taken in more than 1,000 old and inefficient refrigerators through a trade-in program operated by its Detroit Edison subsidiary.

Climate pact means new business, not trade war: U.S. envoy - 2009-08-14
Trade wars after a planned U.N. climate deal are implausible, partly because of a surge of new business opportunities creating jobs in clean energy, the head of the U.S. delegation at U.N. climate talks said.

Senate climate bill to include permit giveaways - 2009-08-14
A climate control bill that Democratic leaders hope to move through the U.S. Senate in coming weeks will seek to give many federal pollution permits to companies rather than sell them, an aide to a key Democratic senator said on Friday.

'Green buildings to grow over three times by 2014' - 2009-08-14
Environment-friendly and energy - efficient buildings are increasingly becoming popular and may grow over three times in the next five years, thereby offering new opportunities to the beleaguered construction industry, a government official said on Friday.

California green building code, a national first, starts this month - 2009-08-14
California's green building code, the first of its kind in the nation, takes effect this month, the California Building Standards Commission announced this week.

Enova Systems Shows Ze, Outlines Planned Improvements in School Bus Plug-in Hybrid Drive - 2009-08-13
Engineered specifically for urban delivery routes and service/maintenance operations, the Enova Ze plug-in step van drive system offers a range of up to 150 miles per charge and can reach a top speed of 65 mph.

Converted Plug-In Hybrid Electric Terminal Tractor to be Tested at Port of Long Beach - 2009-08-13
A plug-in parallel hybrid electric terminal tractor used to move shipping containers and cargo within the port will be tested at a Port of Long Beach shipping terminal. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) is coordinating the project among several ports and will also compile and analyze project data related to the tractor’s performance, including emissions, charging, diesel fuel reduction and other aspects.

Toolkit Helps Commercial Tenants Green from the Inside Out - 2009-08-13
The California Sustainability Alliance yesterday released version 2.0 of its Green Leases Toolkit, an online resource to help tenants and landlords of commercial real estate overcome obstacles to greening their office space.

GM to invest $43 million in U.S. battery plant - 2009-08-13
General Motors Co said on Thursday it would invest $43 million to build lithium-ion battery packs for its upcoming Chevrolet Volt and other electric vehicles in the United States.

China signals long-term plans to curb greenhouse gases - 2009-08-13
China will make "controlling greenhouse gas emissions" an important part of its development plans, the government said, as pressure on the world's top emitter grows ahead of global talks on tackling climate change.

A Record for Wind in Ireland - 2009-08-12
Wind industry proponents have been celebrating a record set in Ireland on Friday, July 31, when output from the country’s turbines peaked at 999 megawatts, which is enough to supply over 650,000 homes.

Bright Automotive To Convert VW Transporters to Plug-ins - 2009-08-12
Start-up Bright Automotive, which in May unveiled its IDEA concept series plug-in hybrid light commercial van, will convert VW Transporter vans with the series hybrid Bright powertrain as a bridge between the concept and the production version of the IDEA.

GridPoint Smart Charging Software to Support eTec/Nissan LEAF Deployment - 2009-08-12
GridPoint will provide smart charging and data logging capabilities to utilities in strategic markets of the eTec program in Arizona, California, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington that will support the deployment of up to 5,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles and a network of up to 12,750 charging stations.

Three Major U.S. Hotel Companies Green Their Headquarters - 2009-08-12
Three of the largest U.S.-based hotel companies -- Hilton Hotels Corp., Wyndham Worldwide and Marriott International -- are now walking their green talk at their headquarters by making their home offices more eco-friendly.

Tesco Gets Rid of Garbage: Zero Waste Goes to Landfill in UK - 2009-08-12
The United Kingdom's largest retailer says 100 percent of its waste from stores, offices and distribution centers across the country are now diverted from landfill -- the result of aggressive recycling and treatment programs that include turning as much as 5,000 tonnes of old meat into heat and electricity each year.

Dell to Reap $5.8M in Energy Savings at Facilities Worldwide - 2009-08-12
Dell expects to rake in an estimated $5.8 million in annual savings as a result of energy efficiency measures that range from PC power-downs and simplifying IT to retrofitting facilities and setting green building standards for all new company-owned sites.

Four Companies Charged with Labeling Rayon Clothing As Bamboo - 2009-08-12
Four companies' products advertised as being made from bamboo are actually made of rayon and have been making claims about their products and manufacturing processes that are false or haven't been proven, according to charges from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Solar cell production seen growing 56 percent in 2009 - 2009-08-12
Solar cell manufacturing capacity will grow 56 percent in 2009 despite weakened demand for renewable energy projects in the face of tight credit markets and a global economic recession, a report issued on Monday by research group DisplaySearch said.

$500B Plan for U.S. Green Building Retrofits Touted - 2009-08-12
The United States can build a low-carbon economy by retrofitting existing homes and businesses for energy efficiency, which would reduce waste and pollution, jumpstart an economic recovery, create good jobs and deliver energy cost savings, while reducing global warming, according to a new report.

Cement plan to cut mercury emissions - 2009-08-11
A cement plant in Carroll County that is one of the state's top mercury polluters has agreed to slash its emissions of that highly toxic metal and of harmful particle pollution as well, state officials announced yesterday.

GM Expects Chevrolet Volt to Deliver 230 mpg in City Driving Based on EPA Draft Methodology - 2009-08-11
Based on the analysis of development data (both dynamometer and road-test) using a draft federal fuel economy methodology for extended-range electric vehicles (EREV) under discussion by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), GM expects the Chevrolet Volt will achieve city fuel economy of at least 230 mpg US, given a single charge per day (as the methodology assumes).

U.S. Navy Signs On Johnson Controls to Retrofit Base in Guam - 2009-08-11
The U.S Navy has enlisted Johnson Controls Inc. in a $34.1 million energy efficiency and conservation project at the naval base in Guam.

Kraft Overhauls Its Manufacturing Ops to Cut Water Use by 21 Percent - 2009-08-11
In less than three years -- and a full two years ahead of its company-wide goal -- snack giant Kraft Foods has managed to save 3 billion gallons of water by adopting new manufacturing and cleaning methods.

Renewable power industry says U.S. moving too slowly - 2009-08-11
Renewable energy leaders on Monday said the United States is moving too slowly to turn the economy green, despite support of the administration of President Barack Obama.

Kenya's biggest tea producer to generate own power - 2009-08-11
Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), the biggest producer of tea leaf in the country, plans to generate its own electricity to cut reliance on the national grid which is rationing power, a senior company official said.

Wind Power In Texas Is Cutting The Cost Of Electricity - 2009-08-10
Wind power is lowering the cost of electricity in Texas, and hurting some utilities' margins, says Bernstein Research, via Environmental Capital.

Enova Delivers Hybrid Drive Systems to First Auto Works for Hybrid Buses - 2009-08-10
Enova Systems, Inc. has delivered the first 70 pre-transmission hybrid drive systems to First Auto Works for application in a hybrid bus. FAW has ordered an additional 150 hybrid drive systems for delivery in 2009. Enova Systems and FAW have executed an agreement to supply a further 800 pre-transmission hybrid drive systems in 2010.

Ford Exec Cites US Energy Policies As Critical Factor in Shaping Future Vehicle Fleet, Calls for Cap-and-Trade Program - 2009-08-10
Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, pointed to the “key role” government policies such as fuel standards and greenhouse gas emission regulations, play in the development and support of Ford’s product and technology pathways. Cischke was speaking at the Center of Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City last week.

China to unveil plan for "new energy" by year-end - 2009-08-10
Coal-dependent China will unveil a plan to foster the development of "new energy" sources, including wind, solar and nuclear, by the end of this year, state media on Monday quoted a senior energy policy official as saying.

New Zealand sets 10-20 percent CO2 cut by 2020 target - 2009-08-10
New Zealand set itself a goal on Monday to cut carbon emissions by between 10 and 20 percent by 2020, holding off setting a hard target until a broader global climate pact now under negotiation takes shape.

UK waste company seeks cash to develop energy - 2009-08-10
UK-based waste treatment company New Earth Group aims to raise 15 million pounds ($25.14 million) to diversify into power generation and says it can generate 20 percent-plus returns under new incentives.

Echelon shares jump 40 percent on deal with Duke - 2009-08-10
Echelon Corp shares soared 40 percent Monday on news that the company has entered into a long-term agreement to supply "smart meters" to electric utility Duke Energy Corp.

UMTRI Agent-Based Simulation Study Concludes US PHEV Annual Sales Could Reach 4-5% With Fleet Penetration of 2+% by 2020 If Subsidies Are in Place - 2009-08-07
Annual sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the US could reach 2% – 3% with fleet penetration of around 1% by 2015, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).

Researchers Turn Textile Waste Into Compost With Worms, Manure - 2009-08-07
The sludge waste that's put out by textile mills can be turned into compost with the help of worms and manure, according to a team from an Indian university.

Supermarkets Line Up to Put Refrigerant Emissions on Ice - 2009-08-07
In less than two years, the number of supermarkets and manufacturers of refrigerant and advanced refrigeration systems participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill program has quadrupled.

Vegas CityCenter Project Bets Big on Bringing Green to the Strip - 2009-08-07
When Al Gore, T. Boone Pickens, Steve Chu, Van Jones and Wesley Clark hit town next week for the National Clean Energy Summit, Las Vegas CityCenter developers hope to showcase their sweeping 18-million-square-foot, $8.5 billion project as the greenest thing on the Strip since felt.

"Cash for clunkers" gets a $2 billion boost - 2009-08-07
The U.S. Senate approved and sent to the White House on Thursday a $2 billion extension of the "cash for clunkers" autos sales incentive program.

"Serious" climate talks hinge on U.S. bill: lawmaker - 2009-08-07
The fate of a U.S. climate change bill will send signals to the rest of the world as to whether upcoming global climate talks will be "serious or not," one of the bill's co-authors said on Thursday.

Scotland approves two wind energy projects - 2009-08-07
The Scottish government has given the go-ahead to two wind power projects, including one held up in the planning system for five years, that could supply enough clean energy for about 43,000 homes, it said on Friday.

LG U.S. plant to support 250,000 electric cars - 2009-08-07
LG Chem Ltd will have the capacity to build battery cells that could support up to 250,000 electric vehicles in the United States when its first U.S. plant becomes fully operational in 2013, the chief of the U.S. unit said on Thursday.

Denmark's DONG says to build north Norway windpark - 2009-08-07
Denmark's DONG Energy will build and run an up to 33-megawatt wind farm in the northern Norway municipality of Narvik in cooperation with its local affiliate Nordkraft, DONG said on Friday.

Carbon-eating "green" cement wins funds for UK firm - 2009-08-07
A British start-up company developing a cement that absorbs carbon dioxide has raised 1 million pounds ($1.7 million) to fund its work, underscoring the growing interest in eco-friendly construction ventures.

GM to Debut Two-Mode Plug-in Hybrid Technology in New Buick Crossover in 2011; LG Chem to Supply the Li-ion Cells - 2009-08-06
General Motors will debut its two-mode plug-in hybrid technology—originally intended to appear first in a Saturn VUE, prior to that brand’s sale—in a new Buick crossover vehicle in 2011.

DOE Award Supports Largest Single Deployment of EVs and Infrastructure Yet; Up to 5,000 Nissan LEAF EVs in 5 Regions - 2009-08-06
One of the projects receiving support in the massive $2.4-billion award for advanced battery and electric drive projects from the US Department of Energy (DOE) will result in the largest deployment of an electric vehicle and supporting charging infrastructure yet undertaken.

Ford Spreads Its Green Painting Process Around the Globe - 2009-08-06
Factories on almost every continent will soon begin using a painting process technology from Ford Motor Co. that can paint more cars in less time, saving money and significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Kimberly-Clark Embraces Greener Kleenex Policy - 2009-08-06
Tissue maker Kimberly-Clark will halve its use of Canadian Boreal wood fiber coming from non-certified sources by late 2010, and eliminate it completely a year later.

China leads in global green jobs race - 2009-08-06
China is winning a global race to create "green collar" jobs, six months after countries worldwide launched $500 billion spending plans to drive a low-carbon economy.

150 businesses support bill for U.S. green jobs - 2009-08-06
A group of small U.S. manufacturers and trade associations is endorsing a bill it says will boost the number of green manufacturing jobs in industries like wind and solar power in the United States.

US DIY giant expands green building scheme - 2009-08-06
A leading US DIY chain is to expand its green building scheme with a £30m injection to create 5000 energy efficient homes.

Walmart Sees Sunny Forecast for Solar - 2009-08-05
Walmart is inching closer to its goal of using 100 percent renewable energy with a new deal bringing rooftop solar power to five Puerto Rico stores.

Intel Puts Wasted PC Power to Work on Climate Fight - 2009-08-05
A new Facebook application launched computing giant Intel lets idling computers work on a range of health and environmental research projects, including the world's largest climate forecasting project.

U.S. automakers get piece of $2.4 billion in battery grants - 2009-08-05
Ford Motor Co, Chrysler Group and General Motors Corp received more than $600 million on Wednesday to further development of battery technology for hybrids and electric cars.

U.S. climate bill costs low for households: EIA - 2009-08-05
The climate change bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would raise annual energy costs for U.S. households less than $150 in 10 years, significantly lower than some industry estimates, according to a draft report from the Energy Information Administration.

Battery maker Electrovaya rises on Ontario backing - 2009-08-05
Shares in Electrovaya Inc surged early on Wednesday after the Ontario government announced an investment of up to C$16.7 million ($15.6 million) in the battery manufacturer.

Bangladesh launches $29 million fund for green energy - 2009-08-05
Bangladesh's central bank has launched a 2 billion taka ($29 million) refinance scheme for renewable energy in an effort to help ease power and gas crisis and reduce pollution.

St. Petersburg College partners with Green Building Council - 2009-08-05
St. Petersburg College’s corporate training office has partnered with the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council to provide a new training course.

Home Depot Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Give Green Building a $30M Boost - 2009-08-04
The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity International are expanding their Partners in Sustainable Building program to a $30 million five-year effort to construct at least 5,000 homes to meet Energy Star guidelines, or even higher green building standards.

Waste Audits to Save Sonoco $1M Annually - 2009-08-04
What started as an internal initiative to reduce the amount of waste Sonoco sent to landfills has blossomed into the fastest growing part of the company's recycling business.

Carbon offsets not perfect but can slash costs: CBO - 2009-08-04
Carbon offsets could help slash costs in a U.S. market designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, but questions linger about whether all of the mechanisms fully cut such pollution, a Congressional Budget Office report said.

U.S. says African farming has role in green push - 2009-08-04
Africa can boost global efforts to curb emissions through the absorption of greenhouse gases by developing its farming sector, the U.S. secretary of agriculture said on Tuesday.

Oyster Wave Power Machine Generates Electricity Onshore; Sea Trials Begin This Autumn - 2009-08-03
A new type of wave power machine—Oyster—is being installed on the seabed off the Atlantic shores of the Orkney Islands for trials that begin this autumn.

Gap Shrinks Carbon Footprint by 20 Percent - 2009-08-03
Gap Inc. shrunk its carbon footprint by 20 percent over the past five years through lighting retrofits, sourcing renewable energy and an energy management program that targets energy-intensive stores.

Clipper Windpower says to benefit from demand revival - 2009-08-03
Wind-turbine maker Clipper Windpower Plc said on Monday it was well placed to benefit from the resurgence in demand for wind energy going forward, sending its shares up 16 percent.

Borrego Solar gets $30 million for solar financing - 2009-08-03
U.S. solar power system installer Borrego Solar Systems said it has received $30 million from Taiwan's Walsin Lihwa to offer financing to solar power project customers.

Bangladesh wins World Bank solar power loan - 2009-08-03
The World Bank said on Saturday it will loan Bangladesh $130 million to install solar energy panels to power 300,000 households.

Saving greenbacks by going green - 2009-08-03
Energy-efficient buildings reduce waste, can boost profits