from Associated Press on July 29th — Can Michigan Dems expand renewable energy law? The proposal discussed Monday calls for 30 percent of the state’s power to come from sources such as wind and solar by 2025. It would build upon a state law adopted last year that requires 10 percent of the state’s power to come from renewable sources by 2015. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/07/27/ap6705072.html

from GreenTech on July 29th — Efficiency tech could save $700 billion
Energy efficiency–it’s not just the low-hanging fruit, it’s the fruit that’s lying on the ground, Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently quipped. Now McKinsey has put a number on the potential savings: $1.2 trillion on an investment of $520 billion over 10 years. http://news.cnet.com/greentech/

from Reuters, Green Business on July 29th — Hurdles for liquefied natural gas
PERTH (Reuters) - Chevron Corp’s proposed Gorgon liquefied natural gas (LNG) project needs to meet more stringent environmental conditions before it can obtain final approval from the Australian government.

The Western Australia environment ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Chevron needs better protection of the high-value corals adjacent to the project and the flatback turtle population on Barrow Island, a class A nature reserve where Chevron is planning to build its LNG facility. http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE56S1S120090729

from Reuters, Green Business on July 28th – Top Green Power Purchasers
Intel, PepsiCo and Whole Foods Market ranked Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of top green power purchasers among the Fortune 500.

The EPA released its quarterly report this month on the companies, colleges and government agencies that purchase or generate the greatest amount of renewable energy in the country and participate in the Green Power Partnership program. http://www.reuters.com/article/gwmEnergy/idUS237504183120090728

from Green Energy News on July 25th Wireless electricity?
Watertown, Massachusetts-based WiTricity notes in an interview on BBC that its technology of transmitting power by way by of resonant magnetic coupling could begin showing up in commercial products in as little as a year. The company in its website describes resonant magnetic coupling: ”Magnetic coupling occurs when two objects exchange energy through their varying or oscillating magnetic fields. Resonant coupling occurs when the natural frequencies of the two objects are approximately the same.” http://www.green-energy-news.com/arch/nrgs2009/20090059.html

–RW