GM Says Chevrolet Volt Won't 'Pay the Rent' | Autopia from Wired.com

GM Says Chevrolet Volt Won't 'Pay the Rent' | Autopia from Wired.com: "GM remains committed to the Volt with or without federal help.

'The Volt continues to be one of our highest priorities among all GM's future product programs and remains on track for a November 2010 launch,' spokesman David Darovitz told Automotive News."

Is methane really worse for the environment than carbon dioxide? - By Brendan I. Koerner - Slate Magazine

Is methane really worse for the environment than carbon dioxide? - By Brendan I. Koerner - Slate Magazine: "Yet methane deserves more attention than it's received so far because, as you note, it's arguably more deleterious to the environment than the widely feared CO2. The Environmental Protection Agency uses a statistic called Global Warming Potential (GWP) to assess the threat posed by various greenhouse gases. GWP measures how much heat one molecule of a gas will trap relative to a molecule of carbon dioxide. Methane has a GWP of 21, which means it's 21 times more effective at preventing infrared radiation from escaping the planet. So, although methane emissions may be relatively piddling, they're definitely a cause for concern. (Their one saving grace is an atmospheric lifetime of just 12 years, versus between 50 and 200 years for carbon dioxide.)"

State tax break aids SolarWorld, Wal-Mart

State tax break aids SolarWorld, Wal-Mart: "“We could have said, ‘Let’s give SolarWorld $7.3 million.’ That’s all SolarWorld wanted, but instead we’re spending $11 million because of the tax scheme,” Sheketoff says. “It’s ridiculous.”"

Another zappy car for Oregon - OregonLive.com

Another zappy car for Oregon - OregonLive.com: "Gov. Ted Kulongoski will get to test drive yet another electric car on Earth Day, April 22, as automakers compete to plug into Oregon for its environmental vibe.

Mitsubishi Motors North America plans to announce today at the New York International Auto Show that Oregon will be the first state to partner with the company in testing electric vehicles for the U.S. market.

The deal, following a similar agreement with Nissan and interest in manufacturing from Norwegian carmaker Think, doesn't make Oregon a green Detroit just yet. But it will capture international attention as Kulongoski tries to attract more clean-energy jobs."

daVinci shows off new solar panels at open house – OregonLive.com

daVinci shows off new solar panels at open house – OregonLive.com: "Students and project sponsors will be on hand for an open house to celebrate progress on the daVinci Middle School's Evans-Harvard Music Conservatory high performance classroom.

The classroom is under construction but is targeted to become the first LEED platinum, net-zero energy consumption free-standing public school classroom in the country. The reception, from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at daVinci, welcomes the arrival of integrated solar roofing tiles that will generate 5.2 kilowatts of power."

Plugs and Cars: Honda Kills CNG Home FuelMaker

Plugs and Cars: Honda Kills CNG Home FuelMaker: "Honda has pulled the plug on its wholly owned subsidiary Fuelmaker, which made the device for home CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicle refueling, calling a loan, and throwing Fuelmaker into receivership.

All Fuelmaker employees were abruptly fired without severance or warning, and given just a few hours to gather up their belongings and leave the premises. All Fuelmaker operations were suspended without notice to dealers, clients or suppliers. All assets were immediately placed on the auction block for liquidation.

Huh? Wasn't Honda the big promoter of CNG? The only car company offering one in the US, the CNG Civic? Wasn't the home fueling device meant to blaze the path to a home hydrogen fueling device?

Edwin Black does the reporting on the machinations around FuelMaker's bankruptcy last week. Read about it here."

Portland/Vancouver as alt.energy hub? - Grid Insight

Portland/Vancouver as alt.energy hub? - Grid Insight: "I'm realizing more with each day that the Portland/Vancouver metro area has the potential to emerge as a regional, if not national, alternative energy hub. All the key ingredients are here; from an energy economy standpoint, Portland and Vancouver complement each other nicely.

I'm not a member of the Portland/Vancouver Booster Club, nor do I have anything directly to gain by talking up my city. I've just been piecing some things together that I want to share."