Environmental News Network

Chrysler Sets Up New Hybrid Development Unit
DETROIT (Reuters) - Chrysler LLC said on Thursday it was creating a new unit to jump-start its development of hybrid and electric vehicles, pushing the newly private automaker into a fast-growing segment where it now lags. Chrysler, which has been hurt by its reliance on sales of trucks and sport-utility vehicles, said it was creating a new organization within the company called "Envi" -- from "environment" -- to develop more energy efficient vehicles. The new development unit will be headed by Lou Rhodes, who had previously headed Chrysler's advanced engineering and vehicle concept development teams, Chrysler said. >> Read the Full Article
GM to power warehouse with solar energy
DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Corp said on Thursday it will add one of the largest solar power installations in corporate use at a warehouse in California, generating half the electricity needed to run the 300,000-square-foot (28,000-square-meter) facility. The automaker said it has partnered with a subsidiary of Constellation Energy, which will design, build, own and operate the solar array on the roof of a GM service and parts operation warehouse in Fontana, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. >> Read the Full Article
BP Breaks Ground On First Wind Project in Texas
HOUSTON - When it's up and running in 2008 a new Texas wind power facility will see 24 2.5 megawatt wind turbine generators, the largest wind turbines built in the U.S. turning in the Texas wind. When it's finished the $100-million dollar project will generate enough carbon-free electricity to power approximately 24,000 average American homes. The project is a venture of BP and Clipper Windpower. Crews broke ground today and is the first wind project in Texas. >> Read the Full Article
Chasing The X-Prize: 31 Groups Building A 100-mpg Car, Only One Is A University
The Automotive X Prize, which promises a multi-million-dollar award for the development of a practical, marketable 100-mpg car, has so far attracted 31 competitors, according to an announcement by the X Prize Foundation. The list includes a variety of small companies, one nonprofit organization and so far only one university: Cornell. >> Read the Full Article
Dirty energy threatens health of 2 billion: study
The health of about 2 billion of the world's poor is being damaged because they lack access to clean energy, like electricity, and face exposure to smoke from open fires, scientists said on Thursday. Dangerous levels of indoor air pollutants from badly ventilated cooking fires are a common hazard, while lack of electricity deprives many of the benefits of refrigeration. >> Read the Full Article
China welcomes Iran-IAEA nuclear plan
China welcomed Iran's nuclear transparency deal with U.N. inspectors on Thursday, despite Western fears that it could be a recipe for delay. The August 21 "work plan" with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) commits Iran to answer longstanding questions about its nuclear activities over a rough timeline of a few months, leaving untouched Tehran's expanding uranium enrichment work. >> Read the Full Article
Court Upholds Tough Vermont Auto Emissions Law
BOSTON (Reuters) - A District Court in Vermont on Wednesday upheld a state law that calls for a 30 percent reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, emitted by cars and certain light trucks. In his decision, Judge William K. Sessions found that the Vermont law -- which regulates greenhouse gas emissions -- did not conflict with federal regulations on fuel economy. >> Read the Full Article
S.Korea to invest $6.14 bln in 2 nuclear plants
South Korea will invest 5.73 trillion won ($6.14 billion) to build two nuclear plants of 1.4 million kilowatts each by 2013-2014, Seoul's energy ministry said on Wednesday. >> Read the Full Article
Biofuels May Be Threat To Food Supply, Increase Costs
PARIS (Reuters) - Biofuels, championed for reducing energy reliance, boosting farm revenues and helping fight climate change, may in fact hurt the environment and push up food prices, one study suggested on Tuesday. In a report on the impact of biofuels, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said biofuels may "offer a cure that is worse than the disease they seek to heal". "The current push to expand the use of biofuels is creating unsustainable tensions that will disrupt markets without generating significant environmental benefits," the OECD said. >> Read the Full Article
Light-Emitting Diodes: Chasing White Light
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) use semi-conducting materials to turn electricity into light; electrons jump from one material to another, emitting photons as they travel. Different semiconductor materials create different colors of light: most white LEDs use indium gallium nitride (InGaN), which actually emits blue light. The blue light excites a phosphor coating on the lens of the diode, creating a yellow light that mixes with the blue and makes it look white to the human eye. Manufacturers also use closely placed red, green, and blue LEDs to deliver white light. >> Read the Full Article