November 05, 2008

Intel Corp has long strived to reduce its carbon footprint. Now, by buying renewable energy credits -- purchases that guarantee the generation of wind, solar and geothermal electricity -- it is stepping up the pace. It's all part of corporate America's attempt to neutralize their carbon emissions.

Many companies are being proactive, reasoning that it is healthy for both the environment and business. Indeed, the pressure to address global warming has influenced the public and private sectors to come up with solutions -- not just feel-good ideas but ones that cut emissions using the latest technologies and market-based strategies.

October 29, 2008

The economic downturn is pulling under the sweeping attempt in this country to cap carbon emissions. Until an uptick occurs, the focus will be altered and now concentrate on making gradual adjustments to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

The global liquidity crisis is not just grabbing headlines. It's also causing a shift to the new paradigm. With credit tight, utilities and other industries are trying to preserve their cash and reduce their debt. It's now more about survival and less about cutting carbon emissions.

Posted: 9/30/08

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- North America's first auction of greenhouse gas emissions permits last week raised nearly $38.6 million that will go toward energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in six Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) sold nearly 12.6 million carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) allowances Friday to 59 participants at a clearing price of $3.07 each. The floor was set at $1.86 per allowance, each of which allows electricity generators to emit up to a ton of carbon dioxide.

"The first RGGI auction has successfully used market forces to set a price on carbon, and this will send a clear signal to support the investment in clean energy technologies," Pete Grannis, RGGI chair and commissioner of the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation, said in a statement Monday.

September 5, 2008

California's trend-setting energy and environmental laws are a noble but risky effort. While they are serving to create a new economy, the rules may also be hamstringing some utilities and businesses.

Green energy experiments are not new to California, but this undertaking is more aggressive. The state, which now gets 11 percent of its power from renewable energy, has always taken a progressive posture toward expanding its sustainable base. The problems, though, are that wind and solar resources are limited while the cost of compliance may be too high for some.