Governator Signs MOU

"[W]e are taking action so that California will be able to meet its ambitious renewable energy and environmental goals."
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Calif. Governor

by Deb Powers

The Governator is making green news yet again. Last week, he vetoed hard-fought green energy legislation because of a protectionist clause in the bills. This week, the California governor is in the spotlight again for signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. The MOU is an agreement between the state and federal government to streamline and expedite siting for over 30 new clean energy projects in the Golden State.
Read more: Governator makes green news again

More renewable energy news...

• EnvExpert: UK Climate Committee calls for change
  
• Targana: India gets $4.2B World Bank loan
  
• BizWire: Helix Wind unveils Zero Energy house
  
• Reuters: Norway commits $625M to carbon capture
  
• APMedia: Solar Decathlon Winners TBA this week
  

Around the Green Blogs...

• GeoEnergy: Aussie eco targets under attack
  
• Computer Nerds: EPA to use brownfields for RE
  
• Green Energy: LED lighting for homes
  

"We were on a path toward sustainable energy, and we got off the path. We took our eye off the ball, and we lost 30 years."
Robert Stone, Filmmaker

Earth Days Documentary Debuts

by Deb Powers

In Documentary filmmaker Robert Stone and I share a common history and point of view on the environmental movement. His latest project, Earth Days, is a documentary film detailing the history and accomplisments of the environmental movement. It will be the closing film at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Stone's interview with Tonic.com is a fascinating read and a look at the environmental movement through the eyes of someone who, like me, grew up in the movement. His bottom line: we've come such a long way - and we have such a long way to go.
Read more: Robert Stone: Earth Days

More renewable energy news...

• eGov:  Solar PV could be 12% of EU energy
• RE World: Sustainable Energy Fund awarded
  
• Energy Collective: German nuke stocks rise
  
• EDIE: Int'l companies go green despite $$$
  
• PI Inquirer: World Bank offers RE loans
  

Around the Green Blogs...

• Green Inc: Are CO2 & Nuclear "clean energy"?
  
• Dallas News: Renewable energy ideas and solar
  
• Trading Markets: Green Star Alternative Energy
  

"[Green energy] definitely the industry of the year from an economic-development standpoint,"
William Becker, Incentives Advisers

States competing for green money

by Deb Powers

The funding push for green energy has touched off some major competition for green enerngy grants and loans. Bolstered by federal incentives, many states are offering incentives to both industry and customers to go green, increasing the demand for green appliances, green cars and green energy.
Read more: US states compete for green energy incentives

More renewable energy news...

• NYT NM utility leaves Chamber over policy
  
• WSJ: China backs wind power price
  
• Reuters: EU: Green Economy = More Jobs
• The National: G20 goal: end fossil subsidies
  
• Trading Markets: CA gov invests in biofuels
  

Around the Green Blogs...

• Green Inc: Houston hub for green energy
  
• Cooler Planet: PV solar essential for 20% goals
  
• Autoblog: Volvo to intro plug-in diesel hybrid
  

   Once solar looks like glass — we don’t import glass for buildings from China,.”
Michael Liebrich, New Energy Finance

Made in USA Solar?

by Deb Powers

Interesting and thought-provoking Green Inc column in the NYT this morning. Jennifer Kho asks if US should be trying to out-manufacture China in renewable energy components or resign ourselves to buying them on the cheap. There's more to the argument than meets the eye.
Read More: Should renewables be Made in the USA?

More renewable energy news...

• Reuters: A look at clean energy in Asia
  
• Bloomberg: New Oz law will quadruple RE use
  
• WSJ: Chile opens renewable energy center
  
• BBC: Faceless NIMBYs hit British green energy
  
• Aspen Times: Renewable energy summit in Aspen
  

Around the Green Blogs...

• MatterNetwork: Smart Grid needs new $$ incentives
  
• Boing-Boing: Counter-factual Carter's Space Race
  
• Triple Pundit: Wind vs. Natural Gas - who wins?