

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Despite being a centerpiece of celebrations the world over, fireworks displays often release toxic chemicals into the environment; researchers are developing a new generation of fireworks that shine as bright but leave less of an impact.

ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- Coca Cola signed a 10-year contract with UTC Power that will bring two fuel cells to a southern New York bottling plant, where they will produce enough heat and energy to satisfy nearly a third of the facility's needs. The state of New York also provided $2 million for the project.

GENEVA, -- Efforts by the world's leading cement companies knocked down carbon dioxide emissions from the industry’s manufacturing process by 35 percent even while production climbed by 53 percent, according to a new report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Cement Sustainability Initiative.
"Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy" describes a green recovery program that could lay the foundation for sustainable economic growth while boosting the country's energy security. The program calls for a $100 billion worth of tax credits, government spending and federal loan guarantees to cut unemployment and spur growth in six cleantech and efficiency areas.
The program targets building retrofits, expansion of mass transit and
freight rail, wind and solar power, biofuels and constructing a smart
electrical grid.
The package would break down into three investment streams: $50
billion in tax credits to give private businesses and property owners
access to building retrofits and renewable energy systems; $46 billion
in direct government spending on mass transit expansion, smart
electrical grid and public building retrofits; and $4 billion in
federal loan guarantees to help finance renewable energy and building
retrofits.
Researchers from the Political Economy Research Institute at the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst prepared the report on behalf of
the Center for American Progress.
Web Site:http://www.peri.umass.edu/