Although a Tough Year, Global Cleantech Investments Rise 13% in 2011
Mergers & acquisitions reached record highs in 2011, growing 153%.
Silver Lining to Bad Economy: Move Toward Local, Employee-Owned, Green Businesses Again
Thousands of employee-owned businesses formed decades ago, and interest is reviving in them now.
Arizona Offers Grants, Support for Cleantech Start-Ups
The state is launching an entrepreneur center, Innovation Forward, and doubling funding for its Innovation Challenge grant program.
China's Solar Companies Prefer to Shut Down than Merge
If demand stays down as expected in Q1, that should weed out about 75% of China's solar output, bringing it closer to reasonable levels.
NY State Governor Calls for Energy Highway, NY-Sun Initiative
The Energy Highway would transmit renewables from upstate to downstate, and the NY-Sun Initiative would get better prices for commercial solar installations and expand rebates for smaller systems.
Court Halts California's Enforcement of Low Carbon Standard, Petroleum Industries Gear Up for Massive Campaign
A court halted California's enforcement of its first-in-the-nation Low Carbon Fuel Standard after a petroleum/ ethanol industry challenge. Now they're gearing up to make Energy a priority in the 2012 campaign.
Ethanol Tax Break Quietly Expires, Industry Moves on to Gas Pumps
Both conservatives and liberals opposed the tax credit and the industry is doing fine without it.
Thinking of Taking a Cruise?
The cruise ship industry is a huge polluter, producing black carbon soot and dumping sewage directly into the ocean.
Town of Hempstead Creates Closed Loop: Wind Turbine Powers Fuel Cell Cars
This model could be adopted by other municipalities using DOE's block grant program.
Patagonia Among California's First Benefit Corporations
As of January 1, California companies can file as a Benefit Corp., a new legal structure that requires attention to purpose and profit.