Clean Technology : Public policy

This year, Dell is definitely making a difference. Their latest achievement: earning a 5.0 Energy Star rating seven months before an EPA-mandated deadline. Let's take a quick look at what else they've achieved:

May

• Dell announced that by 2010 their laptops will be consuming 25% less power.

June

• Dell introduces power supplies, which must be at least 80% efficient. Nearly half of Dell laptops and more than half of Dell desktops meet energystar 4.0.

August

GE is asking for federal approval to use, in the U.S., a type of refrigerant that has low global warming potential and is widely used in Europe and Asia.

 

Through its philanthropic arm, the company has poured millions into a pursuit of renewable energy technologies. Its plan, "Clean Energy 2030," includes green building codes, a push toward electric cars and energy efficiency, a carbon tax, renewable energy tax credits and reducing vehicle-related fossil fuel use nearly 40 percent over the next 22 years.

The market for insulation and other domestic energy-efficiency improvements should receive a further boost from next month, with the introduction of legislation that will require landlords to show tenants the Energy Performance Certificate score for their property.

That is the conclusion of a new survey from the Energy Saving Trust, which found that landlords and property developers are likely to face growing pressure from tenants to achieve high energy-efficiency ratings.

In commenting on what this impasse could mean for the industry, a representative for the Solar Energy Industries Association said that the solar industry alone could lose 39,000 jobs next year.

What everyone’s been breathlessly waiting for — the House approved the clean energy tax credit extensions after the Senate OK’d a bill earlier this week. But wait! The new House version has some key differences, and many are saying the Senate, the White House and many Republicans will oppose the changes leading to yet another stall for the clean energy tax credits. Seriously, if you weren’t familiar with how frustrating the political process was before, you certainly are now.

The House of Representatives will try to take up legislation extending renewable energy tax credits before lawmakers head out of town in the next few days for the November elections campaign trail.

The House tax package, which may be voted on later on Thursday, is slightly different from legislation passed by the Senate Tuesday, throwing into question whether there is time to reach a final deal.

Read more about extending energy tax credits here. 

The ailing US auto industry could soon receive a major shot in the arm in the form of $25bn in low interest loans from the federal government, designed to help manufacturers meet new fuel efficiency standards and accelerate the development of low carbon vehicles.

According to Reuters' reports, Congressional Democratic leaders have expressed their support for the proposal with House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi describing the low interest loans package as "very important to our country".

Tough new rules governing the fuel efficiency of road vehicles may still be subject to a long-running legal wrangle between the US Environmental Protection Agency and a group of states led by California, but at least the same cannot be said of small engines after the Agency last week introduced stringent new standards for a wide range of small motors.

Learn more about lawnmower emissions standards here. 

While other nations hunt for ways to wean themselves from fossil fuels, Germany is in the throes of a green revolution that has made it the global leader in solar- and wind-power generation.

The reason? A pioneering law that requires utilities to buy electricity from renewable sources at premium rates. This means anyone with a rooftop solar generator or a small water turbine can sell the energy they produce at a healthy profit.