The need for new energy could “breed competition and climate change” or “build partnerships to produce clean power and to protect our planet,” said President Obama. Energy and climate change issues will be a central focus of meetings with Chinese leaders in Washington that started today.

U.S. climate envoy Todd Stern expressed optimism, and said both China and America are “serious about taking action.”

When meeting with the Chinese, U.S. leaders should consider an economic policy that strengthens the U.S. economy and ensures America is a leader in green energy.

If transportation were more efficient, related emissions could be cut by almost 50 percent by 2050.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation launched a website focused on reducing transportation-related greenhouse gases.

The E.P.A.’s Green Power Partnership named 20 corporations and organizations that generate substantial amounts of clean energy.

Joule Biotechnologies says it developed a “game changing” technology that produces ethanol from CO2 and sunlight by mimicking photosynthesis, though some observers are skeptical.

Local Green: Michigan lawmakers introduced several clean energy bills yesterday that would increase the state’s renewable energy portfolio and make building codes more energy efficient.

Wisconsin’s low interest loan program offers manufacturers incentives to build renewable energy gear.

San Antonio’s Lean, Clean Energy program helps manufacturers cut energy consumption and become more cost effective.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo courtesy of Tony Crider / CC BY 2.0.

“The new energy economy is energizing Colorado’s entire economy, even in the worst downturn in 75 years,” Colorado Governor Bill Ritter told the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee during clean energy legislation hearings. The Department of Energy released $20 million in stimulus funds this week for the state’s clean energy economy efforts.

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire also made the connection between clean energy and good jobs before the Senate committee. She said, “our energy strategy is a job creation strategy.”

DailyKos live-blogged the two climate-related Senate hearings yesterday.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu talked about clean energy and climate change on last night’s Daily Show.

Spanish utility Iberdrola Renewables - the world’s largest wind energy developer - wants to invest half a billion dollars of stimulus funds to bring 850 megawatts of wind energy online in the United States.

Bus Rapid Transit can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while fighting poverty.

President Obama has a modest proposal to address America’s extreme income inequality.

A UC Berkeley study finds labor unions promote family friendly policies.

Local Green: The Navajo Nation Council passed legislation that establishes a commission charged with advancing clean energy development, green jobs, energy efficiency and sustainable agriculture.

Minnesota is in a good position to grow its wind energy base and generate thousands of manufacturing jobs in the process.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo courtesy of dgrinberg.

Despite newly confirmed Senator Al Franken’s (D. - Minnesota) support, the Employee Free Choice Act lacks a filibusterproof 60 Democrat majority.

This week, G8 participants reached an “historic consensus” to limit global warming to about 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit while cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050.  But a lack of specific steps for reaching these goals, especially in the short term, roused wide ranging criticism.

The possible inclusion of hydrofluorocarbons under the Montreal Protocol is viewed as an indicator of how climate negotiations in Copenhagen later this year will proceed.

Senator Barbara Boxer (D. - California) announced that further development of climate legislation in the Senate would be postponed until September.

ClimateProgress debunks climate scientist James Hansen’s arguments against the Waxman-Markey energy bill.

The oil and gas industries are using data that is outdated and misleading to avert federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing.

Yale E360 interviewed the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Jane Lubchenco.

UPS will cut emissions from its airline division by 20 percent over the next decade.

Local Green:  A focus on energy efficiency is creating jobs in Massachusetts.

–Christopher Greenspan

Mexico hosts the Major Economies Forum this week, a another round of talks that will help lay the groundwork for major global climate negotiations in Copenhagen later this year.

Last week was the Asian Development Bank’s Asia Clean Energy and Climate Week. The U.S. says it will invest $600 million in Asian clean energy projects.

Oxfam’s top climate policy adviser called for an annual investment of $150 billion in the developing world for climate change “adaption and mitigation.”

The call for a domestic manufacturing policy is becoming louder. Apollo advocates for it to be a green domestic manufacturing policy.

The Waxman-Markey energy bill would make significant greenhouse gas cuts while costing each American household, on average, 18 cents per day. Expect a vote this week.

The Senate approved a $1 billion “cash for clunkers” program that offers car owners a cash incentive to trade in gas guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles.

A new study finds diesel vehicles are 90 percent cleaner than just a few years ago, exceeding E.P.A. emissions reductions targets.

Local Greens: In California, some unions are using environmental regulations to push big clean energy developers to adopt labor friendly practices.

Outside New York’s Madison Square Garden, a seven story sign tells passersby how much CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere.

Vermont dairy farmers are switching up their cows’ diets to cut back on “methane burps.”

–Christopher Greenspan

The number of new oil and gas rigs has dropped by 50 percent over last year, and experts say the trend will continue.

Oil giant Shell says it will not invest in solar and wind energy in the future and will limit its clean energy ventures to biofuels.

People’s Weekly World argues that economic recovery is tied to American labor unions’ embrace of the emerging green economy.

GreenVolts and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are working to commercialize one the of world’s most efficient solar cell technologies.

Ethanol producer Aventine may file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

From Florida to Hawaii, states and municipalities are implementing or considering plans that pay homeowners and other small clean energy producers higher rates for the electricity they produce.

$8 billion in federal economic stimulus money may help the United States develop a high speed rail system.

Local Green: Pasadena, California’s city council approved a plan calling for  a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

Old planning codes and regulations could impede new solar developments in New Jersey.

The New England Institute of Technology is planning 123kW of wind and solar projects it says will reduce its carbon footprint while helping to train green-collar workers.

Rockford Construction is teaming up with Spanish company Berge Logistica Energetica to supply Michigan with clean energy projects.

–Christopher Greenspan

With an unequivocal nod to the nation’s unions, President Obama said that America “cannot have a strong middle class without a strong labor movement.”

Happy 160th birthday to the Department of Interior, that will use its $3 billion from the stimulus package to create jobs preserving our parks and developing renewable energy on public lands.

The Obama administration seeks to plug an oil royalties loophole that could generate billions and boost clean energy sources.

Some Native Americans are questioning whether clean energy funds from the economic stimulus plan will reach tribal lands.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants an energy bill that addresses all of the major energy and climate issues at once.

U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-California) hopes to make the upcoming climate bill filibuster-proof.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm says that an emissions waiver for California is not a done deal.

Local Green: Michigan’s annual wind energy conference drew a much larger than expected crowd as manufacturers and investors look for businesses to replace disappearing automotive and industrial work.

A Minnesota-based non profit that helps low-income residents obtain solar energy systems is complaining that testing regulations are holding up their efforts.

Connecticut’s environmental commission approved the construction of a controversial wood burning plant.

The E.P.A. ranked American cities according to the number of Energy Star Green Buildings each has.

–Christopher Greenspan

President Barack Obama reinstated regulations that require construction contractors working on federal projects to work with unionized labor.

The U.S.D.A. awarded $356 million to rural utilities and cooperatives for local electric grid upgrades.

A piece at Alternet explores three reasons why we should revamp existing electricity transmission systems where possible, rather than constructing a national smart grid from scratch.

From landowner objections to strict regulatory oversight, a piece at The New York Times examines some major obstacles facing electrical grid expansion.

Local Green: The Western Renewable Energy Zone project is a joint venture between the Western Governors’ Association and the Department of Energy that is pinpointing renewable energy hot spots in the Western United States.  A model is being developed that will calculate costs to transmit renewable energy from various locals.

Governor Jim Gibbons urges the Obama administration to change federal tax codes to allow the state to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance a $3 billion transmission project.  Some Nevadans say that obstacles are preventing the state from achieving its clean energy and green jobs potential.

Indiana’s Ball State University will spend $66 million on a geothermal energy project it says will replace its coal-powered boilers and create nearly 900 jobs.

Senators Ben Nelson (D-Nebraska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) want to cut tens of billions of dollars slated to boost the green economy from the economic stimulus package.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the E.P.A. are considering an increase in the amount of ethanol added to the nation’s gasoline supply.

–Christopher Greenspan

President-elect Obama officially announced his energy and environment team in Chicago yesterday.

According to Good Jobs First, many critics of the auto industry bailout have supported subsidies to foreign auto companies operating in the U.S.

About twice the number of U.S. labor union representatives attended this year’s U.N. global climate summit over the previous year.

The solar power industry currently employs 25,000 to 35,000 people and the Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that figure will increase 400 percent by 2016.

The recession may help small solar start-ups.

Domestic oil drilling dropped by 12 percent since September, a much quicker decline than expected.

A piece at Yale Environment 360 considers how to make federal stimulus money work to build America’s economy while greening the bottom line.

Local Green: Virginia Governor Tim M. Kaine announced the Renew Virginia Initiative, which aims to make the state more energy efficient and protect the environment.

California became the first state to legislate diesel truck emissions, hoping to reduce soot pollution by 85 percent.

Two new geothermal energy plants (65 megawatts) will begin operations early next year in Nevada.

–Christopher Greenspan

Several key environmental groups praised President-elect Obama’s choice of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson for secretary of commerce.  They say the governor would work to build a green economy.

The auto bailout drama continues with more questions from Senators and a surprise announcement of concessions from auto workers.

A new Gallup poll finds broad support among Americans for labor unions.

The Energy Information Administration reports that a drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 was due largely to mild weather and that emissions rose by 1.4 percent in a harsher 2007.

New technologies would make it possible to rapidly “decarbonize” the global economy over the next two decades.

Research conducted Yale and George Mason Universities suggests that Americans fall into six categories, each with distinct levels of concern and awareness of climate change.

The Wall Street Journal explores the debate between big solar and small energy producers.

The United States and Brazil are joining forces to accelerate cellulosic ethanol research.

Local Green: U. S. Representative Kirsten Gillibrand became the first individual to reduce carbon emissions through the purchase clean energy credits through the Adirondack Council’s Cool Park. Healthy Planet. program.

Universities in Ohio introduced the state’s first joint Master’s Degree program in clean energy.

A gas-to-electric project at a Rhode Island landfill may produce 47.6 megawatts of energy by 2010.

Austin’s Pecan Street project aims to build the city’s clean energy network around small producers.

–Christopher Greenspan