Worldwide Renewable Energy Investments Rose to Record $260 Billion in 2011
Despite a sluggish economy and a painful squeeze on manufacturers, investments in renewable energy rose 5% over 2010.
Vestas Cuts Over 2000 Employees to Compete With Chinese
Vestas is having to cut costs to the bone because of fierce competition.
Online Tool Helps Developers Choose the Best US Wind Sites
In development since 2008, DSAT allows users to predict energy output and environmental benefits of wind sites.
Electric Vehicles, Thriving or Not?
Some say electric vehicle acceptance is at an inflection point, whereas others say it’s far from the interests of the average US car buyer, many of whom have to returned to SUVs as gas prices have stabilized. Sales of hybrids waned last year, dropping from a measly 2.4% in 2010 to an even measlier 2.2% in 2011, according to auto market research firm, LMC Automotive. That’s largely due to a drop in Prius sales, which accounts for almost half of all hybrids sold. Sales declined 3.2% in 2011, because of manufacturing disruptions in Japan, where it’s built. The tsunami and nuclear meltdown, and the floods in Thailand, also caused shortages in many car parts and a bottleneck in batteries. Still, the Prius hit a milestone earlier in 2011 – it sold its millionth car in the US and 3 million worldwide. But the lower gas prices go, the less people are interested in those cars, even though $3.60 for a gallon of gas can quickly drain one’s wallet. With the passage of more stringent fuel economy standards under President Obama, which require model years 2012-2016 to average 35 mpg, more conventional cars now reach 40 miles per gallon, making the […]
Amidst Calls for More Fossil Fuels, President Pushes Renewable Energy
In case you missed President Obama’s State of the Union address, here’s a summary of what he said regarding Energy, dirty and clean. Obama called for an "all of the above" energy policy to appeal to constituents across the board, as energy will be a major plank of his re-election campaign. Obama supports developing every kind of energy including oil, natural gas and renewables. He didn’t mention nuclear during the speech. But he clearly favors replacing oil subsidies with support for the clean energy industry. "We have subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s rarely been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits and create these jobs." He acknowledged the ideological divide in Congress is too great to "fight climate change." In his sole slip during the speech, he stumbled over the word "fight" (he said flight) and gargled the words "climate change," barely able to get them out. President Obama is in Nevada and Colorado this week, selling the energy proposals he outlined in the State of the Union address. Department of Energy Secretary […]
Connecticut Biomass Plant Converts Construction Waste to Energy
The $225 million plant will convert local waste materials to energy, a better option than using plant biomass.
EPA Website Makes Greenhouse Gas Emissions Transparent
The interactive website shows which plants emit the most and where they're located in the US.
eRecyclingCorps Raises $35 Million to Recycle Used Mobile Devices
Founded by former CEOs of RadioShack and Sprint, it's making 2.5 million trades a year.
Australia Seeds Largest Renewable Energy Fund, Flagship Raises VC Fund
Australia's government is seeding a VC fund with $200 million, Flagship closes its fourth fund.
China Likely to Begin Carbon Tax Within Next 3 Years
The largest producers and consumers of fossil fuels would be taxed, but that would be offset by lowering other taxes, such as income.
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