Solar Sunday: Amazing Facts

Green energy is one of the most rapidly expanding industries in the world right now due to so many people looking to do their part to help save the planet. With so much focus on solving global warming and reducing air pollution, smarter and cleaner forms of energy are being looked at very closely by scientists and consumers. There are several cool facts about solar power that can change the world.   Read more...

Green Jobs Good Jobs

"It’s encouraging to see that in a dire economic situation, one of the few places we’re seeing job creation is in the clean-tech industry."
Ron Pernick, Clean Edge

by Deb Powers

Green Inc. at the NYTimes is nearly always a good read, and this morning is no exception. The thought-provoking question posed: are green jobs good jobs? Jennifer Kho points out, for instance, that a report from a U.S. Senate subcommittee found that many green labor jobs pay as little as $8.25 to $11 an hour. Green engineering jobs pay more, and I suspect we'll see wages in the green industry sector rise as competition for skilled green workers increases.
Read more: Are green jobs good jobs?

More renewable energy news...

• NJ.com: It's all solar at NJ energy summit
  
• WSJ: Ontario to become green job hub?
  
• Solve Climate: US v. Canada in wind farm race
  
• Sentinel: Natural gas + Solar = FL partners?
  
• BBC: Australia open to atomic energy
  

Around the Green Blogs...

• Earth2Tech: 15 hottest cleantech job hubs
  
• Grist: 7 reasons for optimism on climate change
  
• Bharat: Wixom plant may see 10k green jobs
  

Our Sunshine is Contaminated

"Our sunshine and wind are contaminated by the elements of dishonesty and lack of seriousness on the part of government officials. They cannot produce the electric energy our communities need to make up for what NEPA can't supply."
Mallam Ibrahim Ahmed, Sokoto, Nigeria

by Deb Powers

Nigeria may be one of the most potent sources for renewable energy in the world. The abundance of sunshine, water and wind makes the country a natural target for solar and wind energy developers. Unfortunately, say many Nigerians, that potential is contaminated by the corruption and lack of commitment from the government. This article from AllAfrica.com is an absolute must-read for anyone who wants to understand how the best of intentions and programmes can wilt when they are poorly managed by corrupt and inefficient officials.
Read more: Renewable energy in Nigeria

More renewable energy news...

• WSJ: Calif struggles with new energy goals
  
• WSJ: Siemens wins 6 US, CA wind turbines
  
• TVS: Scotland, India sign green energy MOU
  
• Reuters: GE urges green targets, free trade
  
• AP: Next German gov't may cut subsidies
  

Around the Green Blogs...

• HUffPo: About energy subsidies
  
• Guardian: UK activist shuts down energy plant
  
• Free PDF: America's Green Superhighway
  

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
  

Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bill

"The UK has one of the biggest potentials for green energy in Europe and could become a world leader in this field."
Robin Webster, Friends of the Earth

by Deb Powers

As threatened, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed green energy legislation passed by the legislature in September. Schwarzenegger has made it clear that he would veto the bill unless the legislature amended it to remove what he calls "protectionist" clauses that require energy and resources to be bought and sourced only within California. The Governator has his own plan, which he believes is better for the state and its budget.
Read more: Governator vetoes green energy bill

More renewable energy news...

• EVEE: UK has great green energy potential
• bNet: Clean energy incentives & politics
  
• AP: GE to test smart grid in Maui
  
• Telegraph: UK green energy plans need support
  
• The Australian: Renewable energy needs rethink
  

Around the Green Blogs...

• Triple Pundit: Best Buy's Green Efforts
  
• FinEnergy: The Power of Energy Now
  
• ChemEngWorld: Green energy projects