In August 2010, Beacon Power became one of the first companies in the nation to get an Energy Department loan guarantee designed to jump-start innovative and clean energy projects. On Monday, it became the second one to file for bankruptcy. Beacon Power — which uses large flywheels to store power and help grid operators smooth out dangerous electrical surges — owes the Energy Department $39.1 million and the state of Massachusetts $3.45 million. Its technology was considered a promising way to ensure grid reliability, especially as fluctuating wind and solar energy sources come online. Read full article > >

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Beacon Power declares bankruptcy; second loan guarantee recipient to falter

White House staff discussed in e-mails that either President Obama or his former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel were eager to help spotlight a solar company in early 2009, despite numerous internal warnings that the company could be financially unstable, according to newly obtained e-mails. The administration was working to arrange a way for Obama to headline a news conference in early September to announce that Solyndra of Fremont, Calif., had won a $535 million government loan to spur clean energy firms — the first his administration had provided. Read full article > >

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Push to highlight Solyndra came from top levels of White House, according to e-mails

The UK joins a collaboration with the world’s largest laser in a bid to harvest and distribute clean energy.

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UK joins nuclear fusion project

President Obama spoke of lofty intentions to help the world reduce greenhouse gases when he addressed delegates to United Nations talks in Copenhagen in 2009. “We have charted our course, we have made our commitments, and we will do what we say,” he said. “Now I believe that it’s time for the nations and people of the world to come together behind a common purpose.” But the Obama administration is on track to fall more than $200 million short on its $1 billion pledge to help prevent the cutting and burning of tropical rain forests . Lawmakers have slashed requests on everything from promoting clean energy to helping developing nations cope with the effects of global warming. And although the United States is putting into place standards for autos and trucks that will drastically reduce emissions, its negotiators are fighting with European Union officials over their attempt to regulate U.S. airline carbon emissions. Read full article > >

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Obama administration encounters opposition to international climate agenda

Washington – With love, luck and lollipops being in short supply on Capitol Hill these days, it’s highly unlikely Congress will present Sen. Jeff Bingaman with the legacy of a parting gift of even a watered-down clean energy standard. Realizing that, the outgoing New Mexico Democrat — who has announced he won’t seek a sixth term in 2012 — seems determined not to exit Washington empty-handed. read more

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Senators Chart "Clean Energy Standard" That Includes Nuclear, Coal

During the State of the Union address earlier this week, President Barack Obama spoke at length about clean energy, with nary a mention of climate change. This is the new environment in which America’s energy policy is being made. read more

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Can Clean Energy Curb Climate Change? Probably Not.

In the name of job creation and clean energy, the Obama administration has doled out billions of dollars in stimulus money to some of the nation’s biggest polluters and granted them sweeping exemptions from the most basic form of environmental oversight, a Center for Public Integrity investigation has found. read more

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Big Polluters Freed From Environmental Oversight by Stimulus

Wednesday is the six-month anniversary of the BP blowout that continues to devastate Gulf communities and remind us of our need to find new clean energy sources for our cars, homes and businesses.

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Opinion: More ethanol in fuel risky

After an unsuccessful cap and trade bill, the alternative in climate policy revolves around much more financing for clean energy research.

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Economic Scene: Next Step on Policy for Climate

This week, NRDC released the “2010 Smarter Cities” list of 22 municipalities that are leading the way in green power, energy efficiency, and conservation. These cities are already testing out the solutions that will launch America into the 21st century clean energy future.

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22 smarter cities put clean energy on the map