Solar energy

November 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today at the White House Tribal Nations Conference, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu highlighted the Department of Energy’s continued commitment to partnering with Native Americans to support the development of clean energy projects on tribal lands that will help reduce energy use, limit carbon pollution, and create new jobs for tribal communities across the country.

“The Department of Energy is committed to partnering with tribal communities to help them meet their energy needs through clean energy and energy efficiency technologies,” said Secretary Chu. “Clean energy projects will create jobs and economic opportunities on tribal lands, while reducing energy use and increasing energy security for Indian Country.”    » read more »

Nov. 05, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Citing what he called America’s urgent need for a diverse energy supply, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today detailed several renewable energy projects that are on a fast track, including a 400-megawatt solar tower development available for public review and five others that are poised to begin environmental impact studies. Five of these are solar projects and one is a wind farm; all are located in California.    » read more »

Committee Democrats Forced to Pass Landmark Bill Without Republican Participation

November 5, 2009 -- Washington, DC - The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) today passed landmark climate change legislation to combat global warming and invest in a new clean energy economy. Because the Republican members of the Committee declined to propose amendments to the legislation and boycotted the Committee's meetings to consider the bill, the Committee approved EPW Committee Chairman Boxer's "mark" of the legislation without amendment.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, November 5 – The Senate environment committee today overcame a Republican boycott and voted 11 to 1 for a sweeping climate bill that would cut greenhouse gases from power plants and factories by 83 percent by 2050.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the panel’s Green Jobs and the New Economy Subcommittee, was an active participant in crafting the legislation.

More aggressive than a House-passed global warming bill, the Senate measure also calls for a 20 percent reduction by 2020 in emissions that cause climate change.    » read more »

Environment Committee Passes Measure To Reduce Pollution, Create Jobs, Reduce Dependence on Oil

November 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, today applauded committee approval of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act of 2009. The legislation includes aggressive targets and timetables for emissions reductions, significant funding increases for R & D and the development of smart transportation options.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) who, along with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), authored S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, today released the following statement on the passage of their legislation out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW):

"Congratulations to Chairman Barbara Boxer who this morning advanced landmark legislation out of her committee. She did so under the toughest of circumstances, after months of meetings, deliberations, and vigorous debate. This wasn't easy, but her commitment was resolute. Today's step in the process sends a clear message to the world that the United States is serious about tackling climate change and securing our clean energy future.    » read more »

Brown Says Report Shows How Ohio is Poised to Become National Leader in Clean Energy Manufacturing; How Clean Energy Policy Can Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Federal clean energy legislation could create more than 51,000 jobs at existing Ohio manufacturing firms, according to a new report released today. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined labor and clean energy leaders to announce the report, which also shows that Ohio is in the top five states for potential job creation.    » read more »

November 4, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today urged Congress to swiftly take up and pass energy legislation aimed at creating "green collar" jobs.

"The economy has lost 7.2 million jobs during this recession -- one out of every 20 jobs in the country. In percentage terms, that is the biggest job loss since the recession in 1948 and 1949," Bingaman said, in a speech on the Senate floor.    » read more »

November 5th -- Today the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee voted 11-1 to send S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act to the full Senate for consideration.    » read more »

November 2, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today hosted a Clean Energy Economy Forum with stakeholders from 39 states across the country at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

Deputy Secretary David Hayes and other top Department of the Interior officials spoke about the importance of renewable energy and job creation, climate impact and adaptation, and efforts to support and maintain the treasured landscapes of America in the emerging clean energy economy.    » read more »

October 21, 2009 -- Members of the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC) and supporters convened in Aurora, Colo., today, to mark a milestone in “Powering Up” one of the world’s largest solar test and demonstration facilities. Since announcing the initial launch of SolarTAC one year ago, the site infrastructure development has progressed to the point where members can now break ground for their planned solar technology implementation and testing.    » read more »

Nov. 03, 09 -- Total announces the signing of a research agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to develop new stationary batteries that are designed to enable the storage of solar power.

This agreement valued at $4 million over five years is part of the MIT Energy Initiative, which Total joined as a member in November 2008.

The Total-MIT research project is primarily focused on development of a low-cost, long-life battery suited to store the power generated by solar panels. The ability to store power is a major challenge and an essential ingredient for the scale up and widespread deployment of affordable solar power.    » read more »

Newark, NJ – October 29, 2009 -- PSE&G has been selected as the winner of the 2009 SEPA Award for Solar Business Achievement in the category of “Innovation in Solar Program Design.” The award, given for the utility’s Solar 4 All program, was announced at the Solar Power International 2009 Conference yesterday in Anaheim, California. The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is a non-profit resource for information about solar technologies, policies, and programs    » read more »

Program will create jobs, increase energy independence, and strengthen economy

22 October 2009 -- Washington, DC - Congressman John Adler today voted to pass the Solar Technology Roadmap Act to strengthen the American solar technology industry. The bipartisan bill creates a coordinated research and development program and public-private partnerships. New Jersey is a leader in solar technology, with more solar power installed per capita than any other state.    » read more »

Senate Floor, remarks as prepared for delivery

October 30, 2009 -- Mr. President, my home state of Delaware has been the recipient of some good news this week and so I thought this would be a good time to come to the floor and discuss how Delaware is leading the way in responding to the challenge of climate change and creating green jobs.

This is a critical time in our history. At stake are the jobs and economic future of our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, as we emerge from this economic crisis, many of the jobs we have lost will not return. To make a full recovery, we need to create the next generation of jobs. I believe that the jobs leading the way will be the clean and green energy industries of tomorrow.    » read more »