Renewable Japan

Warning Over 'Clean' Power Plans (BBC News)

New gas and coal-fired power stations should not be approved without guarantees carbon capture technology will work, UK government advisers have said.

Northeastern States Push Toward Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (Green Inc.)

Representatives of 11 Northeastern states have signed an agreement to pursue a low-carbon fuel standard patterned on California's law to reduce CO2 emissions from motor and home-heating fuels.

Coal-Ash Spill May Strip TVA of 'Deference' From U.S., States (Bloomberg)

The deluge of ash from a coal-fired power plant that buried 300 acres of eastern Tennessee is sparking new state and federal scrutiny of America's coal ash storage sites and of the TVA, the nation's largest public power company.

Bush to Protect Vast New Pacific Tracts (New York Times)

Pres. Bush will designate some 195,280 square miles of American-controlled Pacific Ocean islands, reefs, surface waters and sea floor as marine national monuments, limiting fishing, mining, oil exploration and other commercial activity, White House officials have said.

Energy Firm Not Giving Up on South Georgia Coal Plant (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Despite a legal battle with The Sierra Club and the loss of its joint venture partner Dynegy, New York-based energy company LS Power has said it's moving ahead with its plans to build a coal-fired power plant in Georgia.

US Agricultural Carbon Credit Market Evolving (AP)

The main US market for greenhouse gas credits, the Chicago Climate Exchange, will soon impose new rules designed to bolster the credibility of the carbon credits it sells.

Toshiba Muscles into Solar-Energy Business (CNET News)

Toshiba, a company best known for making laptops and consumer electronics, has announced that it will enter the solar-photovoltaics business, with the aim of building utility-scale solar power plants.

Japan Aims to Create Jobs Through Green Technology (Bloomberg)

Japan plans to create "millions" of jobs by promoting energy-saving products and other clean energy technologies, Environment Minister Tetsuo Saito has told reporters. 

Toyota to Shut Factories for 11 Days (New York Times) 

Toyota Motor will idle its plants in Japan for 11 days in February and March to reduce output in the face of steeply declining global vehicle sales, the company has announced.