Energy and Climate Change


In Addition to $80,000 Penalty, Printing Company Will Pay $305,000 to Help Replace Homeowners’ Polluting Wood Stoves

A printing company in Pittsfield, Mass., has agreed to pay a penalty of $80,000 and to spend $305,000 to help homeowners replace old, polluting wood stoves with new, cleaner models in order to settle claims by the US Environmental Protection Agency that it violated the federal Clean Air Act.

Artists rendering of the ferry

Hybrid Ferry Coming to New York City

A multimillion-dollar project is on its way to completion after Statue Cruises signed an agreement with aShipyards to complete the first hybrid ferry using hydrogen fuel by April 2011.

Study Predicts Prevalence of Virtual Power Plant Within a Decade

Within five to 10 years, the virtual power plant will become mainstream in most electricity markets.

WHOI Website Takes Viewers Deep into the Gulf

Underwater vehicles will be used by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute and other university scientists to learn if the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected animals in the Gulf of Mexico; the public is invited to take a look via the Dive and Discover website.

Microwave Cooking May be Most Efficient, EPRI Says

The Electric Power Research Institute compared the energy use of frozen food cooking in microwaves, toaster ovens, and conventional ovens.

Small-Scale Generator Runs on Used Motor Oil – With Low Emissions

Preliminary emissions testing of a small-scale waste-oil power generator have found that the system generates low emissions.

Senate and House Work on Reauthorizing DERA

Passage of the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act is being supported by more than 500 environmental, health, industry and government organizations, according to the Diesel Technology Forum.

NREL Certifies Commercial Thin-Film Solar Modules at 15.7 Percent Efficiency

MiaSolé, which manufactures copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) independently confirmed the 15.7 percent efficiency of its large-area production modules, which are one square meter in size.



China Will Meet Energy Cutback Goals

China says it will achieve its goal of a 20 percent reduction of energy intensity and a 10 percent cut in major pollutant emission against 2005 levels by the end of this year, according to official figures.

Slum image courtesy of GTZ Sustainable Sanitation Program

Sewage Cycle Could Clean up Slum Life, Pit Latrines in Tanzania

People-powered pump could help prevent spread of dysentery, cholera, and typhoid.

EPA: How to Burn Wood Safely and Efficiently

Wood may be cheaper but unless you have an upgraded heater, you may be adding more particle pollution into the air.

NRG to Give Major Boost to Houston's EV Charging Infrastructure

NRG Energy Inc. is launching the nation’s first privately funded, comprehensive electric vehicle infrastructure in Houston, the start of a rollout across Texas, in 2011.

Pike Research: Unproven Reliability Concerns May Hinder PEV Demand

A Pike Research survey found that there probably are enough early adopters to create the demand expected by automakers.

SolarReserve and GCL Partner on Photovoltaic Projects at 40 Sites Across the U.S.

SolarReserve LLC announced a joint venture with GCL Solar Energy Inc. to develop, build and operate solar photovoltaic facilities in the 5 megawatt- to 20 megawatt-sized range on 40 different sites across the United States.

Philadelphia Eagles To Power Lincoln Financial Field With Onsite Self-generated Renewable Energy

The Philadelphia Eagles announced a plan to power Lincoln Financial Field with a combination of onsite wind, solar and dual-fuel generated electricity, making it the world’s first major sports stadium to convert to self-generated renewable energy.

Suniva Receives $15M Loan Guarantee from Ex-Im Bank

Company plans to use funds to further expand its business in Europe and Asia.

PA Governor Announces $7.9M in Grants to Promote Biofuels and Alternative-Fuel Vehicles

Pennsylvania’s Gov. Edward G. Rendell said his state is aiming to cut its oil consumption by more than a half-million gallons as it invests in 21 alternative fuel projects that will create 221 jobs and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 14.5 million pounds.

Governors Global Climate Summit 3

Governors' Global Climate Summit Creates Subnational Alliance

State-level leaders are building regional partnerships to accelerate work on the green economy while California recognizes the work in progress through its award program.

U.S. Policymakers Consider a National Renewable Electricity Standard

U.S. policymakers must focus more closely on developing new energy storage technologies as they consider a national renewable electricity standard.

Vacon: Stuxnet Does Not Infect its AC Drives

According to the company, its investigations have found no cases in which all the conditions of the malware would be fulfilled.