Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

The Disappearing Climate Bill (via Mother Jones)

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) categorized the Senate legislation he is working on as an energy independence and jobs bill, rather than a climate bill, a change in tone from earlier reports.

Money spent on tar sands projects could decarbonize western economies (via BusinessGreen)

Canada is spending 250 billion pounds to increase tar sands oil production to 4 million barrels per day by 2025, but a new report says that amount could fund ambitious clean energy schemes across the world.

Hopkins: We will cut emissions by half (via Washington Post’s College Inc.)

Johns Hopkins University announced it will halve its carbon dioxide emissions by 2025. This $73 million investment will ultimately cut 141,000 metric tons in annual emissions.

Toyota, Nissan to standardize electric car rechargers (via CNET’s Green Tech)

A group of Japanese utilities, manufacturers and car makers have formed a group to advocate for a standardized system of electric car fast-charging stations in the country. The group hopes to eventually establish a similar international standard.

For Renters, Solar Comes in Shares (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

Several utilities across the country are experimenting with cooperative community solar energy programs for groups of renters, condo owners, or homeowners with shaded roofs.

Appliance rebates get hot-and-cold response from buyers (via USA Today)

Several states are reporting fewer-than-expected applications for federal rebates on energy efficient appliances.

Old vs. new: Smart grid and real time electricity metering (via Christian Science Monitor)

Consumers are reporting mixed reactions to smart meter pilot programs across the country, even though they promise greater control over electricity consumption and lower energy bills.

The backlash against solar subsidies? (via Financial Times’ Energy Source)

Reductions in government subsidies for solar power across several European nations lead some to worry that a backlash against renewable energy subsidies is on the horizon.

George W. Bush presidential library’s blueprints filled with green (via Dallas Morning News)

The George W. Bush Presidential Center will feature sustainability, efficiency, and renewable energy features in its goal to achieve LEED platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Endangered Species Talks Focus on Tuna, Sharks and Ivory Trade (via Yale’s Environment 360)

The UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) conference will open this weekend in Qatar, and will consider 40 conservation proposals over the 12-day conference.

Connecticut Considering Waving Student Loans for ‘Green’ Jobs (via Hartford Courant)

Connecticut is considering legislation that would forgive student loans for students who earn a bachelor’s or associate’s degree and work in green jobs in the state for at least two years.

Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

Natural gas lobby to Senate: Add us to ‘clean’ energy standard (via The Hill’s E2-Wire)

Several natural gas industry trade associations are asking U.S. Senators to count natural gas under any nationwide “clean energy” mandate.

5 Ideas for Greener Transit Gunning for MIT Prize (via Earth2Tech)

Five new technological innovations competing for the MIT Clean Energy Prize could revolutionize green transit.

Putting the “I” in Climate (via Mother Jones’ Blue Marble)

Behavioral changes by individual energy consumers can reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 15 percent by 2020 and prevent 1 billion tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, according to a new study.

Health Costs of California Air Pollution (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

Air pollution cost federal, state and private health insurers $193 million in hospital costs in 2009, according to a new study.

Made in the U.S.A.: Efficiency Materials (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

A new study by energy efficiency advocates finds that basic tools for retrofitting homes and businesses like caulking and insulation are almost entirely made in the U.S.

Is nuclear necessary? Duke study touts power of renewables (via USA Today’s Green House)

Renewable energy, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, can provide 94 percent of North Carolina’s electricity needs, according to Duke University.

Senators prepare bill to bolster nascent deep-water wind sector (via BusinessGreen)

A bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would extend production and tax credits for the offshore wind energy industry through 2020.

Water shortages may hit northern Rockies (via USA Today)

Below-average winter precipitation in the Rocky Mountains has left snowpack levels near record lows and may imperil summer growing seasons due to water shortages.

Process could clean up water used in natural gas drilling (via Physorg.com)

A new membrane filtration technology that has been licensed for commercial use may be able to treat and recover water used in natural gas well hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.”

Sea birds and climate change (via Philadelphia Inquirer’s Green Space)

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s 2010 “State of the Birds” report finds that oceanic birds are among the most vulnerable birds on earth to climate change.

‘Deep-energy retrofits’ take root in homes (via CNET’s Green Tech)

Pilot projects in Massachusetts that engaged in ‘deep-energy retrofits’ were able to reduce their energy consumption by 50 to 70 percent.

Ocean acidification: another path to EPA rules on carbon emissions? (via The Christian Science Monitor)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to help states test coastal waters for acidity and then weigh whether to tighten rules on carbon emissions to address ocean acidification.

Tokyo Electric Power planning trial of smart meters (via Japan Today)

A smart meter pilot program will begin in Tokyo by October and will install smart meters in 90,000 homes.

Climate snapshot reveals things are heating up (via The Age)

The top two Australian scientific agencies report that the country has warmed significantly over the past 50 years, with the mean national temperature rising 0.7 degrees since 1960.

Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

Japan’s Cabinet Endorses Cap-and-Trade Climate Bill (via Bloomberg)

The Japanese cabinet has endorsed climate-protection legislation that would establish a national cap-and-trade system and possible carbon tax, in an attempt to reduce emissions 25 percent by 2020. Specific aspects of the system will be worked out within one year of passage.

Five Countries Fall Behind on European Renewable Energy Goals (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

Five European countries have failed to meet goals for renewable energy, but could make up their quotas by buying clean energy from North Africa and the Balkans, said the European Commission.

Utilities Not Ready for Coming Customer Engagement from Smart Grid (via Earth2Tech)

Utilities may not be fully prepared for the increased amount of customer communication and real-time interaction an expanded smart grid will create, even though they are moving forward with smart meter pilot programs.

Gibbs predicts ‘clamoring’ for energy bill as gas prices rise (via The Hill’s E2-Wire)

The annual summer rise in gasoline prices will create demand for energy legislation, but federal action on energy is not a top priority for President Obama, said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Dead Zones Fuel Global Warming (via Mother Jones’ Blue Marble)

Oxygen-deprived dead zones in the world’s oceans can elevate nitrous oxide in the atmosphere, which fuels global warming and increases atmospheric ozone holes, according to a new study.

A New Unit for (Saved) Energy (via New York Times’ Dot Earth)

Several scientists have proposed creating a new unit of measurement for avoided electricity use, to be named after the first proponent of energy efficiency.

Conservatives’ Doubts About Global Warming Grow (via Gallup)

Americans are less likely to believe the effects of global warming are occurring than they were two years ago, according to an annual Gallup poll. The shift is most pronounced among political conservatives.

eBay sells “green” used goods with rainforest reward (via BusinessGreen)

Online marketer eBay has launched a new “green” Web site that encourages consumer to purchase used products over new ones. The first 250,000 people who pledge to reuse goods will have an acre of rainforest preserved in their name.

Ontario’s Clean Water Tech Cluster (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

Ontario’s provincial government will introduce a “Water Opportunities Act” this year that creates incentives to attract water technology companies.

Where do things stand on international efforts to address global warming? (via Grist)

Four international trends show that progress and developments on the Copenhagen Accord is moving forward.

Study sees efficiency as key to meeting energy needs (via Houston Chronicle)

Energy efficiency is the best available option to improve energy supply-demand balances while also keeping costs low and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to a new study.

SMU researcher say injection well is ‘plausible cause’ of small earthquakes by DFW Airport (via Star-Telegram)

An injection well used to get rid of wastewater from natural gas drilling may be the cause of a series of small earthquakes near the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, say researchers.

IEA Chief Predicts End of Internal Combustion Engine by 2050 (via Forbes’ Energy Source)

Higher oil prices and carbon regulations will shift driver and manufacturer preferences completely away from oil-fueled vehicles by 2050, says the International Energy Agency Executive Director.

Solar power could provide 10% of US energy: report (via YahooNews and AFP)

The United States could source 10 percent of its electricity from solar power by 2030, says a new research report.

Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

Peak Oil in 4 Years? (via MotherJones)

A new model predicts peak oil – the point where global oil production reaches a maximum and then declines – may occur as early as 2014.

UK’s low carbon market defies recession to clear 100 billion mark (via BusinessGreen)

The British low-carbon energy market has defied the recession and exceeded expectations by growing 4.3 percent in 2009 to 112 billion pounds.

New ‘gang’ gathering on energy? (via The Politico)

The attendees of yesterday’s White House climate bill negotiation meeting may represent a new blog of moderate U.S. Senators who may move climate legislation forward in Congress.

GOP govs to Congress: Block EPA climate rules (via The Hill’s E2-Wire)

A mostly Republican group of 20 state and territorial governors has asked Congress to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

Sun Activity Reaches Century Low, May Slow Warming ‘Slightly’ (via Bloomberg)

Solar activity is at its lowest level in almost 100 years, and if this trend continues, it may slightly slow the pace of global warming, according to a new scientific study.

Developers Lament Loss of Federal Wind Subsidies in Canada (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

The Canadian government’s decision not to expand or extend a popular renewable energy subsidy program may hinder the Canadian wind energy industry’s ability to compete with developers in other countries.

Report: Time for next stage of sustainable business (via CNET’s Green Tech)

Corporate America needs to track its energy and resource consumption in order to keep pace with social concern about climate change and sustainability issues, according to a new report.

Turning smartphones into air quality monitors (via CNET’s nanotech: the circuits)

Intel Labs has developed a smart phone application that would allow users to monitor ambient air quality, analyze environmental data, and share it over the internet.

Chicago to Launch Nation’s Largest Smart Grid Energy Pilot Program (via The Energy Collective)

8,000 Chicago homes will be outfitted with advanced smart meters and 100 homes will receive distributed solar power systems that put the smart grid theory into practice. The project, financed through Recovery Act funding, will eventually cover 131,000 homes.

Think You Know What a ‘Green Job’ Is? Think Again (via Forbes’ The Energy Source)

Green jobs – careers in clean energy and environment – may go beyond construction into research, engineering, and design, according to an official at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

Review of U.N. panel’s report on climate change won’t reexamine errors (via Washington Post)

U.N. officials will convene an outside review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in light of errors in its 2007 climate change findings, but will only focus on improving procedures for the future instead of rechecking the report’s findings.

Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

Drought Has Venezuela Looking at Alternatives to Hydropower (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

A severe and prolonged drought in Venezuela has the country considering ways to diversify its energy portfolio through wind and nuclear power. Hydropower currently produces up to two-thirds of the total national energy total.

Kerry Says ‘Great Deal’ of Consensus Reached on Climate Policy (via Bloomberg)

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) says a bipartisan group of lawmakers reached consensus at a White House meeting on energy policy, and expects to introduce climate legislation into the U.S. Senate soon.

Xtreme Power: A Super-Battery For Hawaiian Wind Farms (via Earth2Tech)

A clean tech startup has announced a new battery energy storage project to back up a 30-megawatt wind farm on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

IMF Proposes Global Fund to Ease Climate Adaption (via The Atlantic)

The International Monetary Fund is proposing a global climate change adaption fund as insurance for countries facing the worst consequences of global warming’s effects.

EPA Piecing Together Regulatory Framework for Greenhouse Gas Rules (via New York Times)

The U.S. EPA has submitted the first portion of its rules to regulate greenhouse gas emissions to the White House, signaling that the Obama administration is on schedule to regulate emissions through regulation in the absence of federal legislation.

China, India give nod to Copenhagen climate change accord (via Washington Post and Associated Press)

China and India have given qualified approval to the Copenhagen climate accord calling for voluntary limits on greenhouse gas emissions.

Electrified roads could power vehicles, say researchers (via BusinessGreen)

South Korean researchers have developed a way to charge electric vehicles while they are traveling by embedding magnetic compounds in the road.

Businesses offer best path to money in smart grid (via CNET’s Green Tech)

Commercial and industrial business power customers who can save large amounts of money may be the best prospects for smart grid and smart metering funding, instead of consumers who may be unwilling to change their energy consumption.

On rooftops worldwide, a solar water heating revolution (via Grist)

Rooftop solar thermal water heaters are spreading fast across the globe as a way to convert sunlight into heat to warm water and homes.

EPA: U.S. saw record decline in greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 (via Los Angeles Times’ Greenspace)

High gasoline prices, a slow economy, and a cool summer caused U.S. greenhouse gas emissions to decrease nearly 3 percent in 2008 from 2007 levels, according to the U.S. EPA.

Green stimulus spending shifts forward. Probably. (via Financial Times’ Energy Source)

Financial analysts HSBC has revised downward its estimate of the money spent in 2009 by governments on green stimulus packages from $94 billion to $82 billion, citing difficulty in actually spending the money.

Australia’s Renewable Energy Future Report Released (via The Energy Collective)

The Australian Academy of Science has released an outlook report on the country’s renewable energy future, which urges adaption of low-carbon generation technology.

Lesson’s From Spain’s Solar Bubble (via The New Republic’s The Vine)

The boom, bust, and recovery of Spain’s solar industry may hold lessons for America’s nascent solar industry.

Scientists Develop New Plastics That Can Be Recycled Continuously (via Yale Environment’s e360 digest)

Researchers at IBM and Stanford University have discovered a cheap organic catalyst that can build up and break down plastics over and over again. By comparison, the metal catalysts currently used contaminate and degrade polymers over time, eventually making them unrecyclable.

U.S. Sitting on Mother Lode of Rare Tech-Crucial Minerals (via TechNews Daily)

The U.S. holds largely untapped reserves of rare earth minerals found in green technologies, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Until now, China has supplied most of these materials, and concern about material availability threatened to limit new technological innovations.

Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

South Africans seek U.N. climate post (via Washington Post’s Post Carbon)

South Africa has nominated Marthinus van Schalkwk as its candidate to replace Yvo de Boer, outgoing director of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change. Van Schalkwyk has served as South Africa’s minister for environmental affairs and tourism.

Super-grid gets super-serious, but does it rely too much on Norway? (via Financial Times’ Energy Source)

A proposed European supergrid project that would connect offshore power resources with nine EU countries and Norway has been announced in a two-phase plan that would cost hundreds of billions of Euros.

Concerns mount over vague Japanese climate bill (via BusinessGreen)

Japan has released a draft climate bill which proposes a carbon trading scheme, but does not offer any fresh details on how it will work and contains a loophole to abandon binding emission caps.

Colorado goes all-in on renewable energy (via Climate Progress)

Colorado’s state legislature has approved a bill that would increase the state’s renewable energy standard to 30 percent by 2020. The bill has been sent to Governor Bill Ritter for signature.

ECO:nomics: Creating Environmental Capital (via Wall Street Journal)

Executives and entrepreneurs from some of the leading companies involved with energy and sustainability expressed skepticism about the government or financial world’s ability to provide clarity on factors shaping the clean energy transition.

Sen. Kerry lobbies for climate change compromise; actual bill yet to come (via The Hill’s E2-Wire)

Members of the U.S. Senate crafting compromise climate change legislation are working with business groups to create support for their effort, but have been hampered by the absence of an actual bill.

EPA chief warns of lost benefits with fragmented climate bill (via The Hill’s E2-Wire)

U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson warned federal legislators that moving away from a broad economy-wide climate bill could hinder private sector investments in clean energy technology.

“Green” Not Enough to Win Most Drivers Over to Green Cars: Report (via Earth2Tech)

Six out of ten consumers will only buy a hybrid or electric vehicle only if it is superior to gasoline-only models in every way, according to a survey of North American and European drivers.

UK offshore wind costs at least twice nuclear: study (via Reuters)

Britain plans to build up to 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power capacity by 2020 and wants to replace aging nuclear reactors with new models, but the projected wind generation will be at least twice as expensive as the nuclear projects.

Your home’s miles-per-gallon? New labels quantify efficiency (via USA Today’s Green House)

The U.S. government is working to develop a mpg-like label for home energy efficiency, and is slated to launch this fall after pilot testing in summer 2010.

New energy car buyers to get subsidy (via Shanghai Daily)

China is considering offering consumers nearly $9,000 dollars in subsidies for consumers who purchase a new energy vehicle.

Counting ‘Outsourced’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

Scientists have mapped the trade-related flow of carbon emissions based on 2004 data.

Tuning the energy innovation engine at MIT (via CNET’s Green Tech)

The recent MIT Energy Conference showcased clean-energy innovations from around the globe.

Enviro group deploys green tech against fracking (via Green Wombat)

A Texas environmental justice group is using a greenhouse gas analyzer to detect pollution from natural gas fracking operations near Dallas.

Top 50 VC-Funded Greentech Startups (via Greentech Media)

Venture capital firms have invested nearly $20 billion in greentech startups since 2005, and the top 50 have been compiled into one comprehensive list.

Corporate Responsibility Magazine (formerly known as CRO magazine) last week released its 11th annual list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens.  The rankings are based on publicly-available information in seven categories: environment, climate change, human rights, philanthropy, employee relations, financial performance and governance.

In announcing the rankings, Corporate Responsibility publisher Jay Whitehead commented that “…making the list is worth millions or even billions in increased shareholder and brand value.” He also noted that, from 2009 to 2010, the average score of all 100 companies on the list climbed nearly 20 percent.

“The higher scores reveal a quantum leap in performance, which we attribute to the competitive dynamic of firms who understand the importance of stakeholder support from investors, customers, employees, regulators, and suppliers,” said Dirk Olin, the magazine’s editor. 

From my perspective, it’s also further proof that companies that can manage complex sustainability issues are generally well-managed companies.

Congrats to all those on the list, especially the Top 10:

1. HP
2. Intel
3. General Mills
4. IBM
5. Kimberly-Clark
6. Abbott Labs
7. Bristol-Myers Squibb
8. Coca-Cola
9. Gap, Inc.
10. Hess Corporation

Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

All Fish Tested from U.S. Streams Found Contaminated with Mercury (via Environmental News Network)

Fish from 291 freshwater streams across the U.S. were found to be contaminated with mercury during a recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The “Real” Take on Methane and Warming (via New York Times’ Dot Earth)

Arctic methane being released from melting permafrost may not pose a bigger threat than carbon, and may distract attention from carbon emissions.

Infographic: Top 20 countries with most endangered species (via Mother Nature Network)

A graphical breakdown of 20 countries with the greatest potential for losing and saving endangered species.

10 Things That Could Suddenly Make Americans Love Electric Vehicles (via TreeHugger)

Beyond government incentives, ten inter-related factors could make electric vehicles an integrated part of American culture.

And the Top Clean-Tech Companies Are… (via Wall Street Journal)

Three solar power firms came out on top of the Wall Street Journal’s first survey of top venture-backed clean energy technology companies.

Business leaders blast Congress for cap-and-trade indecision (via BusinessGreen)

Several top power company executives claimed that continued uncertainty over federal climate change legislation is forcing them to delay investing in green technologies.

When it comes to winning the clean energy race, is the US already “out of the running?” (via Climate Progress)

Germany, Spain, and China are seizing the economic and environmental opportunity presented by clean energy, and the U.S. is risking being left behind, according to a new report.

China May Start Its First City-Wide Carbon Cap-and-Trade System (via BusinessWeek)

China may start a city-wide carbon cap-and-trade system by June 2010 in the northeast port city of Tianjin.

A Deal to Save the Everglades Could Rescue U.S. Sugar Instead (via New York Times)

Two years after it was signed, a landmark Everglades preservation agreement by Florida has come under increased scrutiny for its results.

Sarkozy seeks funding, training for nuclear energy (via Reuters UK)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called on international development banks to fund civilian nuclear projects in developing nations.

“Building Star” Proposed in Senate: $6B for Retrofits of Larger Buildings (via Earth2Tech)

A $6 billion bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to finance energy efficiency upgrades for large office and residential buildings.

Global climate battle plays out in World Bank (via Reuters)

The U.S. and Britain are threatening to withhold support for a $3.75 billion World Bank loan to build a South African coal plant.

Setting Wind Power Records in Texas (via New York Times’ Green Inc.)

Texas set a new record for wind generation when about 19 percent of the electricity on the state’s grid was supplied by turbines. The new 6,272 megawatt record exceeded the previous record set last week. 

Rainforest pact: Brazil and the U.S. agree to cooperate (via Los Angeles Times’ Greenspace)

The U.S. and Brazil have signed a memorandum of understanding to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from tropical deforestation.

Community Solar Gardens (via The Energy Collective)

A new bill in the Colorado state legislature would create community-owned “Solar Gardens” that allow communities to jointly finance solar power installations in their community.

On Thursday, March 4 — the second day of The Wall Street Journal’s 2010 ECO:nomics Conference, the mood was creatively frustrated, curious, feisty and hopeful.

Several presentations managed to hush the room, including prominent scientist J. Craig Venter’s discussion of synthetic genomes and Bloom Energy CEO KR Shidhar detailing the Bloom Box. 

There was also considerable discussion about cap and trade…and considerable doubt that an agreement would be reached this year.  Other popular topics were China’s emergence as a renewable energy behemoth; innovation in the public and private sectors; and the future of disruptive technology.

In no particular order, here’s a sample of interesting comments by Thursday’s speakers:

• From T. Boone Pickens: “Why are we focused on buying oil from our enemies when we have plentiful natural gas in the U.S.?  We’re paying for both sides of the war.”
• From Shell’s CEO Peter Voser:  “Volatility won’t go away.  The global oil supply has its own demands.”
• From FPL CEO Lewis Hay III, regarding criticism of IPCC’s climate report and whether criticism of the science within the report invalidates its findings:  “If we’re wrong [about global warming], all we’ve done is make the world a better place.”
• From Patricia Mulroy, general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority:  “The world of water management is the world of diplomacy.”
• And again, from T. Boone Pickens:  “I’m running for president in 2012.”

Finally, The Wall Street Journal offered its pick of 10 clean-tech companies to watch:

• Solyndra
• Suniva
• eSolar
• Recycle Bank
• Fisker Automotive
• Boston Power
• eMeter
• Serious Materials
• Silver Springs Network
• Tesla Motors

Fleishman-Hillard’s Sustainability blog publishes a daily roundup of compelling stories from traditional media and blogs that straddle the nexus of sustainability, energy policy, and corporate social responsibility. Inclusion of stories does not translate into endorsement of any particular opinion or technology over another.

France builds world’s biggest photovoltaic solar plant (via physorg.com)

France has announced it will build the world’s largest solar power plant at an abandoned NATO air base. The plant is estimated to produce 143 megawatts (MW) of energy when completed in 2012.

Investors increasingly concerned about climate change (via Financial Times’ Energy Source)

A record 95 resolutions involving climate change have been filed by investors in 82 U.S. and Canadian companies, according to sustainability coalition Ceres.

Methane seen as growing climate risk (via Yahoo! News and Associated Press)

Methane emissions are rapidly increasing as global temperatures rise, thawing Arctic permafrost and releasing the potent greenhouse gas. Methane can be up to 30 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.

Lawmakers move to restrain EPA on climate change (via Washington Post)

Several members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are working to restrain or postpone the U.S. EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from mobile and stationary sources.

IBM’s Chinese Smart Grid Ambitions (via Earth2Tech)

IBM has announced details about multiple alternative energy, smart grid, and energy efficiency pilot projects currently underway with China’s massive government-owned utility and other partners.  

How California’s Landmark Energy Storage Bill Works (via Earth2Tech)

Multiple factors including state incentive programs, regional transmission coordination, federal funding, state-level tax incentives and new sources of renewable power can make California’s proposed renewable energy storage standard a reality.

Should the World Bank fund coal plants? (via Washington Post’s Post Carbon)

The U.S. think tank Center for American Progress is preparing a report that quantifies World Bank funding for fossil fuel power and argues for greater consideration of renewable energy projects.

CSR bounces back up retail agenda (via BusinessGreen)

Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have moved back up the list of priorities for the world’s largest retailers and consumer brands, according to a major bi-annual survey by the Consumer Goods Forum.

Katrina victim seek to sue greenhouse-gas emitters (via Grist)

Mississippi victims of Hurricane Katrina have filed a class-action law suit against several large multinational companies for helping accelerate global warming and increasing the storm’s power and damage.

Pacific Northwest forests act as massive carbon banks (via Los Angeles Times’ Greenspace)

Forests in the Pacific Northwest store more than 1.5 times as much carbon as the entire amount of carbon dioxide emitted annually in the U.S. according to a new study by the Wilderness Society.

Bill Clinton’s Green Jobs Plan (via Forbes’ Energy Source)

Former President Bill Clinton has outlined a green jobs plan that includes a federally funded energy efficiency loan guarantee program.

Utility vs. Utility: Grid Battle Threatens Wind Development (via Forbes’ Energy Source)

A new association of U.S. utilities has formed in opposition to federal proposals to build national power transmission systems. If successful, the coalition could limit the spread of renewable energy sources, particularly wind power.

Looking Beyond Greenhouse Gases (via The New Republic’s The Vine)

While carbon dioxide receives most attention around global warming, other pollutants including aerosols, sulfur dioxide, and particulates could drastically impact on climate change.