July 29, 2008: Solar Power Is Going Mainstream
Yale E360 looks at how growing investment, rapid technological progress, and falling production costs are pushing solar energy to “the brink of becoming the world’s dominant electricity source.”
The Baltimore Sun reports on harnessing solar energy with space satellites.
The United States recently surpassed Germany as the world’s top wind energy producer, but China is poised to take the title.
Energy In Congress: Hoping to break a Congressional deadlock on energy legislation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid offered Republicans four amendments to an oil speculation bill. Meanwhile, Grist argues that Democrats need to fight the Republican push for more oil drilling and tell America the truth about gas prices.
In response to Republican calls for more offshore oil drilling, The Sierra Club launched a series of radio spots telling Congress to stand up to big oil.
Senator John McCain continued to push for offshore oil drilling as he campaigned in California yesterday.
Democratic Senate Candidate Al Franken of Minnesota argues that selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve would lower gas prices and generate an estimated $5 billion for investments in renewable energy.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the United States could lose 110,000 jobs if Congress does not renew clean energy tax credits.
Local Green: Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program helps laid-off workers get back on a career track. The Apollo Alliance consulted on the program’s second year focus - the Green Jobs Initiative, which will invest $6 billion green-collar training.
Oklahoma City Community College trains wind turbine technicians for the state’s growing wind energy industry.
–Christopher Greenspan
Tags: clean energy tax credits, gas prices, Green Jobs Initiative, No Worker Left behind, offshore oil drilling, solar energy, Solar Satellites, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, The Sierra Club, Wind Energy