The E.P.A. proposed a plan to decrease power plant emissions that travel across state lines. The proposal - dubbed the Clean Air Transport Rule - will replace the Bush administration’s less-stringent Clean Air Interstate Rule.

Arguing that they “pose unusual and difficult risk management challenges,” the Federal Housing Finance Agency is siding with home mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in their battle against Property Assessed Clean Energy loans (PACE). The loans, backed by the White House (pdf), help homeowners finance clean energy and energy efficiency retrofits.

In a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Congressional Committee on Energy and Commerce chair Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said a pipeline to import Canadian tar sand oil “would be a step in the wrong direction.”

As the Senate appears to be getting ready to seriously take up clean energy and climate legislation, the Natural Resources Defense Council suggests ten key policies that lawmakers should consider.

The Green Business Bureau and Green Irene are working to develop green business certification standards.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s campus in Golden, Colo. is now home to the nation’s largest “zero energy” building - a 220,000 square-foot research facility that will open in late August.

A Pike Research report predicts 4.5 percent of the world’s cell phone bases will run on wind and solar power by 2014.

Local Green: A solar thermal array in Coney Island is heating water used to wash New York City subway trains, slashing CO2 emissions by 96 tons annually.

Pennsylvania’s Bucks County Community College unveiled its new Green Jobs Academy.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo courtesy of Sciondriver

A new Energy Information Administration report finds America’s energy-related CO2 emissions have dropped 10 percent since 2005.

Speaking at the Good Jobs, Green Jobs conference in Washington, D.C., yesterday, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., hammered home the connections between American prosperity, clean energy and climate legislation.

“The stark difference between the Cape Wind project and the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico are clear symbols of the different energy paths we can choose” when considering our nation’s security, environmental and economic health, writes the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Heather Allen.

Fox News is refusing to air a VoteVets ad that ties energy independence to national security.

Small contractors are hoping Congress soon passes “cash for caulkers” legislation, as a dismal real estate market and continuing high unemployment continue to pummel the industry.

Transit agencies across the country will benefit from $775 million in Department of Transportation funds aimed at upgrading the nation’s bus systems.

MIT researchers have developed a way to print thin film solar cells on paper through a process similar to ink jet printing.

Nearly half of commercial lighting will be powered by LED systems by 2020, according to a new Pike Research report.

EnvisionSolar is working to make carport solar energy a substantial source of distributed solar energy.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo courtesy of A. Belani / CC BY-SA 2.0

President Obama signed an $18 billion jobs bill that exempts employers from payroll taxes for some newly hired workers. While acknowledging that the bill is a step in the right direction, some observers - including AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka - argue that much more must be done to rebuild the economy.

Vice President Joe Biden paid a visit to the North Carolina headquarters of LED light-making company Cree Inc., where he highlighted the important role green manufacturing will play in rebuilding America’s middle class.

A piece at It’s getting Hot In Here explains why a clean-tech education strategy will be an important part of America’s ability to compete globally for good green jobs.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s anti-clean energy legislation stance is costing it members, while American Businesses For Clean Energy (ABCE) and other groups are rapidly adding businesses of all sizes to their membership roles.

A recent Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) analysis estimates the United States’ CO2 output could be cut 15 percent by 2020 if Americans adopt simple energy saving habits.

This year’s Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference will take place May 4 - 6 in Washington, D.C. The conference brings together union members, environmentalists, business leaders, and politicians in an effort to map out the country’s clean energy future.

GE believes  transitioning to thin-film solar panels will help drive down solar energy costs.

Local Green: A new National Center for Atmospheric Research study finds prescribed burning could significantly reduce forest fire-related CO2 emissions in the Western United States.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo courtesy of the White House

Clean Edge Inc.’s annual Clean Energy Trends report found growth in most sectors of the global clean energy economy in 2009, despite the severe recession.

Former President Bill Clinton tried to persuade moderate Senate Democrats that clean energy and climate legislation would mean job growth and new economic opportunities. He also warned that without a strong bill, the U.S. risks falling behind China in the race to lead the world’s clean energy economy.

The United Auto Workers, Center For American Progress, and the Natural Resources Defense Council released a study detailing the “clean car revolution’s” capacity to create jobs, protect the environment, and curb dependence on foreign oil.

A new report finds many businesses that have invested in on-site renewables are eager to increase their green portfolios.

A new report published by a scientist at Stanford University finds C02 “domes” hovering above urban areas can increase health hazards associated with greenhouse gas emissions.

National Defense Magazine looks at the Navy’s efforts to harness ocean thermal energy.

Local Green: The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced it will invest $8 million in 19 different energy storage projects.

The so-called California Jobs Initiative, which could halt California’s efforts to to impose limits on greenhouse gas emissions, is funded largely by conservative anti-tax groups and out-of-state fossil fuel interests, reports the New York Times.

Groups including the Sierra Club and the Eco Justice Collaborative are sponsoring Chicago’s “Coal-Free Future Week” - a broad range of clean energy events that includes public forums and multimedia theater shows.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo courtesy of alykat / CC BY 2.0

President Obama met with Cabinet members and a bipartisan group of Senators yesterday in an effort to reinvigorate clean energy and climate legislation efforts.

Senator Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., expects a new draft clean energy and climate bill will be ready before Easter.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) asserts that comprehensive climate and energy legislation will create more jobs and reduce dependence on imported oil more than a “piecemeal,” energy-only bill.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu reiterated his support for a carbon cap, speaking yesterday at CERAWeek in Houston, Texas.

A Joint Center poll found that 75 percent of African American voters will consider climate change issues when voting in the upcoming midterm elections.

Shell Oil President Marvin Odum explains why the oil giant is sticking with the U.S. Climate Action Partnership.

I.B.M. and Stanford University researchers say they have developed continuously recyclable plastics.

A piece at Grist reports on the worldwide “solar water heating revolution.”

Some smart grid companies say marketing to commercial and business customers, rather than homeowners, is the best strategy for expanding their markets.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo courtesy of Winged Photography / CC BY-NC 2.0

Europe will regulate international air travel through the European Union’s existing cap-and-trade system.  Yep, Delta, Continental, American and other U.S. carriers that fly through London, Paris and Madrid will be subject to the regulations.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) says that Congressional climate legislation would hurt manufacturing jobs and decrease GDP by about two percent in 2030. But “draconian assumptions” and omissions of key portions of the legislation discredit the report, according to the Environmental Defense Fund.  Apollo’s gathered the support of more than 150 businesses across the U.S. that want domestic clean energy manufacturing.

ClimateProgress and The Wonk Room report that NAM ironically has made a strong case for climate legislation, finding that it would create 20 million jobs in the next two decades.

A piece at Grist investigates the debate surrounding the regulation of the carbon offset market.

Critics question the “draft methodology” used  to arrive at Chevy Volt’s 230 miles per gallon figure, saying that the math is not useful for comparing the efficiency of different vehicles.

PedalPower+ introduced a device that recharges small, hand-held electronic devices while you ride your bike.

Local Green: A new Natural Resources Defense Council report ranked the top ten states in terms of efforts to combat oil dependence.

Who will be the climate heroes and villains in states like Pennsylvania, Missouri, Virginia and Indiana, where Senators are divided over climate legislation?

Repower America is running similar ads in Arkansas, North Dakota, Missouri and Indiana.

–Christopher Greenspan

Photo Courtesy of Melissa Maples / CC BY-NC 2.0.

Participants in the Major Economies Forum dropped the goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, due to disagreements between developing and wealthy nations.

The prospect of billions of dollars generated by emissions allowances for states may push Republican Senators to support climate legislation.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is circulating a “Top 10 Reasons the Senate should Strengthen and Pass ACES [American Clean Energy and Security Act]” list.

A coalition of environmental groups is suing the federal government over a 6,000 mile energy corridor on Western public land that links to non-renewable energy sources.

American auto manufacturers are strengthening ties with utilities to bring a fleet of electric vehicles to market in the coming decade. Ford says 10 to 25 percent of its vehicles will be hybrids by 2020.

UCLA scientists have found a way to make solar cells without silicon, which dramatically reduces their cost.

The first cargo ship to generate a substantial portion of its energy through solar panels is docked in Long Beach, California.

Local Green: The Tennessee Clean Energy Future Act - signed by Governor Phil Bredesen this week - establishes residential building codes, makes tax incentives available to the clean energy sector and promotes energy efficiency.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D - New York) voiced support for her state’s manufacturing base by announcing support for the The Small Business Health Options Program Act and the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act.

–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

After a long struggle to stay afloat, G.M. declared bankruptcy today.

Agreeing to further concessions with G.M., the United Auto Workers signed a new contract on Friday that would dramatically reduce worker benefits. “We’ve made a tremendous amount of sacrifice,” said U.A.W. President Ron Gettelfinger. However, the automakers’ union convinced G.M. to agree to produce up to 160,000 of its subcompact cars in the U.S. rather than import them from China.

“The latest concessions by the U.A.W. with automakers Chrysler LLC and G.M. will make the road to the middle-class much rougher to navigate for the next generation of workers,” argues one observer.

The Department of Energy’s $2 billion dollar advanced battery manufacturing program is creating stiff competition for funding.

A University of California study warns that climate change disproportionately affects poor Americans, as a ‘climate gap‘ threatens to grow over the next several decades.

A new photography book attempts to give the abstract concept of climate change a set of visual reference points.

Local Green: California lawmakers are considering a plan to use the state’s climate change laws to ameliorate air pollution in poor communities.

A Natural Resources Defense Council report says California could cut its water consumption in half.

Wind Power finds unlikely allies on the plains of the Texas panhandle.

Kids around the world are singing a song composed by a California 6th grader to raise awareness about climate change.

–Christopher Greenspan

President Obama vowed to invest three percent of the nation’s G.D.P. in science research and development. The President directly addressed clean energy issues, he said that his plan to “restore science to its rightful place” would help make “solar cells as cheap as paint” and lead to “green buildings that produce all the energy they consume.”

The world’s largest greenhouse gas emitting nations gathered in Washington to prepare for climate change negotiations in Copenhagen later this year. In yesterday’s opening remarks, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that “the United States is fully engaged and ready to lead and determined to make up for lost time both at home and abroad.”

The Energy Future Coalition says the best way to control costs under a carbon cap program would be to impose national clean energy mandates on utilities.

The New York Times profiled the head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Jon Wellinghoff, who said last week that energy efficiency and renewable energy can power America.

Ted Turner calls clean energy “the greatest business opportunity that the world has ever seen,” and its potential reminds him of the early days of cable television.

Another new Natural Resources Defense Council map highlights planned and existing clean energy sites across the country.

Life Cycle Assessment complicates the idea of ‘green products’ by calculating the myriad processes and materials used to make consumer goods.

Grist interviewed hip hop legend Russell Simmons about America’s Greenest Campus, a campaign to convince co-eds to reduce their carbon footprints.

The United Auto Workers will be granting serious concessions as part of Chrysler’s restructuring process. In return, the union will receive 55 percent of company stock.

–Christopher Greenspan