Green news harvest: Clean energy oversold

Here's a sampling of green-tech news, with quick commentary:

• Energy Goals a Moving Target for States - The New York Times
  Good reality check on the mixed record of utilities meeting renewable portfolio mandates. One advocate says the speed of adoption for clean energy is being is oversold.
• Detroit Bailout Hits a Bumpy Road - The Wall Street Journal
  Perhaps not surprising, given the cool reception auto companies have received thus far in Washington and in public discourse.
• Tesla vs. Fisker: The Epilogue (Or, Why Tesla Owes Fisker $1.1 Million) - Automotive News Blog
  The arbitrator's statement rules in Fisker's favor and orders Tesla to pay legal fees.
• Blackstone Backs Cellulosic-Ethanol Start-up Coskata - PEHub
  In a sign of clean-tech start-ups getting creative with financing, Coskata secures private-equity funding, rather than project finance, to complete a pilot plant.
(Credit: 3Tier)
• 3Tier Releases 5km Wind Map of the World - Press release
  The idea is simple: better data on wind and solar resources will speed development.
• 2009 Cleantech Predictions - Lightspeed Venture Partners Blog
  'Tis the season for clean-tech predictions. These look about right, though the obligatory "efficiency will be big in a down economy" is missing.
• Energy efficiency boom leads 9 clean-technology predictions for 2009 - Press release
  Among the more ominous predictions: clean-tech start-up failure rate doubles.
• Re-energizing Energy Innovation: Experts Spar (Lightly) at Xconomy Forum - Xconomy
  A panel of clean-tech pros picks apart the challenges in energy innovation. On the whole, it's too soon to say whether then entire clean-tech sector has been successful financially.
• Army to buy electric cars - ArmyTimes
  Fleet deployments of all-electric carts and neighborhood cars will create demand for these products.
• DOE Announces up to $29.3 Million in Projects for Research, Development, and Demonstration of Alternative Vehicle Technologies - Press release
  The two grants focus on using thermoelectrics--using a car's waste heat to make power--and battery materials for plug-in electric vehicles.
• New insights on fusion power - MIT News Office
  People have definitely not given up on nuclear fusion, but one drawback is, as an MIT researcher once said, "it doesn't work."

[cupurple]

i havent seen anything on the greening of tires. alot of really poor people live in old house trailers. is anything being done about stricter standers for these things. we all pay to heat these homes either state or federal heating subs. thanks.

[tower1812]

I'm a private citizen on a mission and that mission is to free America from foreign oil. After telling my plan to all 50 state governor's ( except Illinois) and I am getting very positive feedback I decided to let someone with some clout in on it also. Please read, this plan was very well thought out and just would like you to listen. Phase one of my plan is to get each state to buy solar panels from reputable companies and build at least one facility per state to maintain and install the panels on each home, one-by-one and receive a set payment for leasing the equipment, thus producing billions of dollars in state revenue in the long haul. They will always leave the option open for homeowners to buy the SOLAR PACKAGE outright but will pay an additional $40.00 per year in property taxes which will go to the schools. Phase two, is to get some of these solar panel companies to set up shop in each state with state assistance thus creating millions of jobs. Phase three, In the SOLAR PACKAGE is a mandatory tank-less water heater. This will save billions of gallons of fresh water and free up about 70% of home usage of natural gas, because the hot water tank runs all year round. thus lowering the price of natural gas and making it more desirable for the auto industry to go to natural gas. After all that's what congress was waiting on them to say..... CHANGE. Now the number one question that I got was what happens on rainy or cloudy days? The answer is... I have an innovative idea that in conjunction with the solar panels can provide energy all year round using no fossil fuels.( I'll keep that to myself for now.) This plan will also save the auto industry with a few modifications to their engines. But most importantly we can stop global warming. This plan will leave us with extra money to buy goods and a lot more eventually fixing the economy. And no more foreign oil or total blackouts!!!! Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading P.S and I have more!!!!!!

Darnell Palmer

[bulletrocker2008]

I would like to see alternative energy hitting the scene rather than being entirely dependant on the available energy sources today.

Andy Campbell
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