In nation’s forests, push to develop bio-energy raises fears of wood demand exceeding supply

Bio-fuel growth raises concerns about forests

Greenbacks for green: NC governor hands out fed stimulus money for green tech development

NC governor gives out green grants to companies

Poll: People embrace protecting the environment, but don’t always walk the walk

Poll: Sometimes it isn’t easy being green

WASHINGTON — Sometimes it’s easier to think green than be green. A survey released Tuesday suggests people have largely embraced recycling bottles and cans, and are inclined to turn down thermostats to save energy. But it also indicated that some paths toward a greener Earth aren’t as easily taken — or turned into action.

Biofuel buzz builds around jatropha tree; backers say it beats ethanol, but some are skeptical

FORT MYERS, Fla. — What some see as the biofuel of the future starts out as short, thick stems with a few leaves sticking out at sharp angles. But in just a few years, they will be tall, leafy trees with bright green spherical pods spilling their seeds all over the ground.

Deal sends bill to slow global warming to House floor for first time; key Dems predict passage

WASHINGTON — Key Democrats reached a deal Tuesday that its supporters hope will lead to House passage of the biggest environmental bill in decades, one aimed at slowing the gradual, destructive heating of the planet.

Nation’s first all-electric car-sharing fleet debuts in Baltimore

BALTIMORE — The nation’s first all-electric car-sharing program debuted Tuesday at the city’s Inner Harbor, with manufacturer Electrovaya hoping urban residents seeking to go green and curious tourists will take the concept for a spin.

Energy Dept lends $8B to Ford, Nissan, Tesla to develop fuel-efficient vehicles, retool plants

DEARBORN, Mich. — Cultivating the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Obama administration said Tuesday it would lend $5.9 billion to Ford Motor Co. and about $2.1 billion to Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors Inc. in a government-industry partnership to build green cars.

Government to lend Ford, Nissan, Tesla $8B to develop fuel-efficient vehicles, retool plants

DEARBORN, Mich. — The Energy Department said Tuesday it would lend $5.9 billion to Ford Motor Co. and provide about $2.1 billion in loans to Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors Inc., making the three automakers the first beneficiaries of a $25 billion fund to develop fuel-efficient vehicles.

Nissan to mass produce ‘affordable’ electric cars in 2012

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan Motor Co. said Tuesday its electric vehicles will be affordable, setting sights on the potentially lucrative market with a plan to mass produce zero-emission cars globally from 2012.

With gov’ts parceling out stimulus package, Siemens looks to boost orders for green technology

FRANKFURT — German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG said Monday that it expects to garner about euro15 billion ($20.9 billion) worldwide in new orders because of more government-backed orders aimed at reducing energy consumption.

Forest restoration project brings together old enemies in logging wars

TAKILMA, Ore. — On a steep slope of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, a crew of young men with chain saws and hardhats worked their way through an old neglected clearcut, cutting brush and young trees and piling the remains to be burned later.

Detroit Electric, Dongfang Motor Corp. agree to develop and make electric cars in China

SHANGHAI — Chinese automaker Dongfeng Motor Corp. and a Dutch-based company plan to cooperate in developing and making electric cars, the companies said Friday, as China pushes to expand use of alternative energy vehicles.

Proposed Oregon project would break down old tires, manure to capture methane for energy

BOARDMAN, Ore. — An Oregon company is seeking permits for a facility on the Columbia River that would harness methane gas for energy by collecting it from decomposing old tires and cow manure.

NorthWestern Energy adds fuel-efficient bucket truck to fleet

BUTTE, Mont. — NorthWestern Energy has added a hybrid bucket truck to a growing list of fuel-efficient vehicles in the utility company’s fleet.

Honda ready with big models and small to keep winning in US after 50 years

TOKYO — Honda is ready to offer bigger vehicles in North America should demand return for such models, as well as the small cars viewed as the Japanese automaker’s forte, a senior executive said Thursday.

Shell station in Canada begins selling gas blended with biofuel made of wheat straw

AMSTERDAM — Royal Dutch Shell PLC says it has begun selling gasoline containing 10 percent ethanol derived from wheat straw at a Shell station in Ottawa, Canada.

‘Smart grid’ is buzz of electric industry, Obama team; power system goes digital

WASHINGTON — Thomas Alva Edison, meet the Internet.

Power lines move into digital age; ’smart grid’ is buzz of electric industry, Obama team

WASHINGTON — Thomas Alva Edison, meet the Internet.

Mitsubishi unveils $47,000 zero-emissions electric car, eyes global expansion

TOKYO — Mitsubishi Motors Corp.’s electric vehicle is twice as expensive as popular hybrid cars by rivals Toyota and Honda, but Japan’s No. 4 automaker said Friday the i-MiEV will help it survive increasingly intense global competition.

Ford invests $550 million to convert SUV facility to build new Focus for small-car market

WAYNE, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. stripped “truck” from the name of one its Detroit-area plants Wednesday as it announced plans to build its next-generation Focus here, including a battery-electric version Ford expects will run up to 100 miles without using gas or emitting greenhouse gas.

Scientists unveil biodegradable, chocolate-fueled race car

LONDON — Scientists unveiled on Tuesday what they hope will be one of the world’s fastest biofuel vehicles, powered by waste from chocolate factories and made partly from plant fibers. Its makers hope the racer will go 145 mph and give manufacturers ideas about how to build more ecologically friendly vehicles.

Polo horse deaths in Florida cast light on compounded drugs; critics say oversight lacking

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Pharmacist Ephrem Degefu’s shelves are stocked with clean, white bottles of powdered chemicals, all essential ingredients in hundreds of commonly used medications.