The Solyndra debacle is no surprise to this cleantech venture capitalist. The inherent conflict between trying to get money out of the U.S. Treasury as quickly as possible to stimulate the economy and, at the same time, have government agencies that are ill-suited at making business decisions do just that was nothing other than a recipe for disaster. (more…)

On Energy.gov, we’ve been showcasing a series of stories about innovations from our National Laboratories that have been successfully commercialized – and how they impact Americans’ lives. During 2010 alone, our National Laboratories engaged in more than 13,500 technology transfer transactions – from (more…)

A study quantifying each nation’s contribution to global carbon emissions based on its role in the supply chain of energy production — from resource mining to burning of fuels — suggests that pricing carbon at the point of extraction would simplify global efforts to curb emissions. (more…)

Two weeks ago, the citizens of Denmark elected Helle Thorning-Schmidt as the country’s first female prime minister. And in the period since, negotiators from the three parties working to form a new coalition government have hinted at the kinds of policy decisions the left-center coalition will be (more…)

With all kinds of new data out there demonstrating U.S. solar growth (here, here and here), we wanted to offer our insights into how these successes are playing out in one of our key campaign states: Pennsylvania.

Over the past couple years, Pennsylvania has become a real solar powerplayer. Having developed (more…)

Assembly Bill 361, the bill that would authorize and regulate the formation and governance of a new form of corporate entity known as a benefit corporation, passed the California Assembly and is now on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk. The governor has 12 days to sign the bill into law or to veto it. (more…)

Oil companies are reaping massive profits and skirting taxes (with the help of fossil-fuel-friendly politicians) while the U.S. is in a debt crisis. Is that fair?

While the general public suffers through very difficult economic times and the threat of government shutdowns, the oil industry is reaping good profits, (more…)

Most of the country and many around the world are focused on the debate on the debt ceiling and various budget cuts that will be enacted. However, lying just beneath the surface, are a labyrinth of Congressional bills that attack the environment and America’s push for renewable energy. (more…)

On June 12, U.S. House Republicans failed to revoke the lighting efficiency restrictions mandated by the 2007 law, The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, or HR 6. This law would phase out incandescent bulbs, and is one that Republicans themselves sponsored. (more…)

Recently, there has been some momentum behind energy efficiency legislation, both in the House and the Senate.  There is the Shaheen-Portman ESICA bill, an energy efficiency only bill; Conrad’s FUEL Act, a broader energy bill; Lugar is prepping an energy bill that incorporates strong energy efficiency language; (more…)