Green news harvest: New Jersey utility to go solar

A sampling of green-tech news with quick commentary.

• PSE&G Proposes $773 Million Solar Energy Program - Press Release
  There's a trend forming with utilities investing directly in solar power installations, with New Jersey the latest to jump.
• Obama Champions Efficiency in Stimulus - The New York Times
  Obama counters after being criticized for proposed programs to weatherize homes of low-income people and make federal buildings energy efficient.
• Nissan seeks government loans for electric cars - Reuters
  Financial woes could delay its electric car plans past its original target of 2010.

Utility-scale solar: headed for New Jersey?
(Credit: Martin LaMonica/CNET Networks)
• Cutting Coal Use with Sunshine - Technology Review
  You've heard of hybrid cars. Here's a hybrid power plant test that uses both solar thermal and coal to make steam.
• Less Demand, Same Great Revenue - The Wall Street Journal
  Welcome to the arcane world of utilities deregulation, where this notion of decoupling--or creating incentives for utilities to promote energy efficiency--is gaining steam.
• Commission gives its approval to feed-in tariff for solar power - The Gainesville Sun
  Although this is a very limited case, this municipality in Florida is said to be the first feed-in solar tariff in the U.S., a policy that many people believe is a better incentive than those based on tax credits.
• Bob Lutz, GM's colorful product czar, to retire - Reuters
  The vice chairman who drives out flashy cars like the Chevy Volt at auto shows will leave GM at the end of the year.
• Something in the wind as mystery illnesses rise - Asahi Shimbun
  Concerns over health problems from the low-frequency sounds that wind turbines give off has prompted the Japanese Ministry of Environment to look into possible links.
• Renewable energy forum sparks debate on Carissa Plains solar farm project - KSBY-TV
  Just a glimpse of the conflicts over building one large solar project in California. Adding transmissions lines, potentially through protected land, is another big hurdle.