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Vermont Ruling Paves Way for Higher Vehicle Fuel-Efficiency

A federal court in Vermont has upheld California’s landmark global warming tailpipe standards against a legal attack brought by the auto industry. A Vermont federal judge ruled that states can regulate vehicle emissions, giving California’s efforts to regulate emissions a boost. The judge rejected U.S. automakers claims that they don’t have the technology to meet the new standards and that the standards are pre-empted by federal law. California’s emissions standards, which are outlined in a 2002 California law aren’t “sufficiently draconian” to usurp the federal government’s right to set fuel economy standards said U.S. District Judge William K. Sessions, who expressed confidence in car manufacturers ability to build cleaner cars. During the three-week trial in Vermont, attorneys for the automotive industry argued that carmakers lack the technology needed to meet the tougher emissions standards. Sessions was unconvinced, writing in his 240-page decisions that the companies “have not carried their burden to show that compliance with the regulation is not feasible; nor have they demonstrated that it will limit consumer choice, create economic hardship for the automobile industry, cause significant job loss or undermine safety.” The ruling makes it much more likely that California will win against its automaker suit, now […]

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191 Countries Work Together to Heal the Ozone Layer

The Earth’s ozone layer is on track to heal, thanks to the work of dozens of countries that signed a landmark international environmental agreement initiated 20 years ago. Known as the “Montreal Protocol,” this ambitious treaty requires countries to phase out production and use of compounds that deplete ozone in the stratosphere. Initially signed by 24 countries Sept.16, 1987 in Montreal, this treaty today covers 191 countries and is widely hailed as the most successful international environmental agreement to date. “Twenty years ago, the community of nations came together to adopt a global strategy for the global challenge of ozone depletion. Today, we at EPA join our international partners in celebrating the anniversary of the Montreal Protocol – a shining example of how human ingenuity, leadership and determination can create a healthier, better world,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. Each of the countries that signed the Protocol has measurable goals and actions for achieving success. These include phasing out production and use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform. Scientific evidence demonstrates that these compounds significantly deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields the planet from damaging ultraviolet radiation. The United States has implemented […]

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Goodbye Spotted Owl

URL: http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/09/14/SpotTheOwl/ Website: http://thetyee.ca/News/2007/09/14/SpotTheOwl/     

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Cleantech VC Totals Nearly $1Bn

In Q2 2007, North American and European venture investments in the cleantech category totaled just under USD $1 billion, representing a 10% increase over the $903 million invested in Q1 2007. For the first half of 2007, there was a total of $1.90 billion in venture capital invested in the cleantech category in North America and Europe compared to $1.73 billion invested in the first half 2006, representing a 10% increase. Cleantech IPOs totaled 17 over Q207, raising nearly $1.7 billion for cleantech companies. This represents a significant 88% increase from 9 cleantech IPOs in Q107. North American Q207 venture investments totaled $843 million, approximately equal to Q206 and a 15% increase over the Q107 total of $731 million. Q207 European venture investments of $154 million represented an 11% decrease from Q107 and a 43% decrease from the $268 million invested in Q206. The Cleantech Network tracked a total of 77 deals in Q207. Energy generation continued to lead other segments with a total of $535 million invested, an 8% increase from the $495 million invested in Q107 and a 3% decrease from the $552 million invested in Q206. Of the 60 deals done in North America, 25 were in […]

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E.ON About to Enter Russian Electricity Market

E.ON is on the verge of successfully entering the Russian electricity market, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing energy markets. According to a statement issued by the evaluation commission of RAO UES, the Russian state-owned company, E.ON submitted the best bid for the 47-percent stake in OGK-4, that has being offered by RAO UES. OGK-4 is one of six operators of large-scale generating facilities currently being privatized by RAO UES. The board of directors of OGK-4 has set the purchase price for the upcoming capital increase of about 23 percent. This pruchase price is equivalent to the price E.ON offered for the OGK-4 shares. E.ON also intents to submit a binding offer for this capital increase in order to acquire a roughly 70-percent stake in OGK-4. E.ON would then pay an overall purchase price of 146.5 billion RUB (4.1 billion EUR). Under Russian securities law, after officially acquiring the stake E.ON must make a public tender offer to OGK-4’s minority shareholders. “The acquisition of OGK-4 would be an another important step into the Russia electricity market, which offers enormous growth potential due to the sharp increase in industrial demand and the need for substantial investments,” E.ON CEO Wulf H. […]

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Centrotherm Photovoltaics AG To Go Public

centrotherm photovoltaics AG, supplier of turnkey production lines and key equipment such as PECVD systems and diffusion furnaces, is to proceed with an initial public offering with a listing on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the company said. A date has not been set for the IPO. “We plan to finance centrotherm photovoltaics’ further growth from IPO proceeds; in particular we intend to expand our research and development activities, ensure access to complementary technologies, and develop and expand our service and sales organisation in Asia and the U.S.,” explains Board of Directors spokesman Robert M. Hartung. He continues, “The focus of our business strategy is to reduce production costs in the photovoltaic industry, measured in EUR/Wp. We see centrotherm photovoltaics as a driving force and “enabler” for the entire sector. Our goal is to achieve a sustainable improvement in the competitive position of photovoltaic systems compared with fossil energy sources, but also with other renewable energy sources.” The company declared that revenues in 2006 were ¬108.5 million, and that the company currently has more than 100 employees. Customers include Q-Cells, ErSol and Sunways, as well as market newcomers in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Website: http://www.centrotherm.de/ […]

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