Germany Doubles Electric Vehicle Research and Development Aid

Bloomberg reports, “the German government announced an additional 1 billion euros ($1.4 billion) in research and development aid for electric vehicles, doubling its budget by 2013 in a bid to position itself at the technology’s vanguard. Tax rebates, dedicated parking spots and measures aimed at promoting government use of electric cars are among the other [...]

Germany could see solar power cap: BlackRock

Reuters reports that, “Rising costs for solar power in Germany could either trigger a further large cut in sector subsidies or a cap on new installations in the world’s No.1 solar market, a BlackRock fund manager said. Power transmission grid operators are obligated to pay feed-in tariffs (FIT) to producers of solar power, which are [...]

President’s Energy Budget Invests in Innovation, Clean Energy, and National Security Priorities

According to the US Department of Energy, “U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today detailed President Barack Obama’s $28.4 billion Fiscal Year 2011 budget request for the Department of Energy, highlighting the Administration’s commitment to create jobs with the development of a clean energy economy, invest in advanced science, research and innovation, maintain a strong nuclear [...]

Japan may cut emissions by less than 25 percent

According to Reuters, “Japan cautioned on Friday that it could water down planned 2020 cuts in greenhouse gas emissions if other rich nations fail to make deep reductions as part of a U.N. deal due in Copenhagen in December. In Brussels, a draft report showed that European Union states were preparing to endorse an estimate [...]

Environmentalists Behind Resignations, Donohue Says

Bloomberg reports, “Environmental groups are trying to discredit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by persuading companies to quit the business group over its stance on greenhouse-gas regulation, chamber President Tom Donohue said. “There is under way an orchestrated pressure campaign by a couple of environmental groups,” Donohue, 71, said at a Washington press conference today. [...]

According to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change: Energy efficiency scheme will save cash and carbon

According to the Press Release, “ Reducing energy use will save organisations a total of £1billion and more than 4MtCO2 each year by 2020. The final details of the Government’s scheme to save organisations money on fuel bills and to reduce carbon emissions have been unveiled today by the Department of Energy and Climate Change. [...]

Japan mulls early emission limits: report

According to the AFP, “Japan’s new government led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama plans to introduce a mandatory cap-and-trade greenhouse gas emissions system as early as 2011, a report said Sunday. A cabinet committee is likely to discuss the issue Sunday in an effort to reach Hatoyama’s stated goal of reducing emissions by 25 percent [...]

U.S. ethanol group wants origin labeling for oil

According to Reuters, “A U.S. ethanol industry group is pushing lawmakers to craft legislation requiring fuel companies to inform customers what country their fuel came from in hopes of increasing awareness about money spent on oil imported from overseas. “Most Americans don’t want their paychecks going to Venezuela and other regimes that don’t agree with [...]