Energy and Climate Change

New techniques could expand the capabilities of geothermal power, producing 10 percent of US electricity by 2050.

"These are guys who are going to help determine what the policy actually is, because they are the ones who are in the middle of this debate,"

A number of startups are now demonstrating new technology and launching large research efforts aimed at replacing hundreds of millions of gallons of fossil fuels by 2010, and much more in the future.

Americans should be taxed for the energy they consume. But it isn’t the government that should decide how that money is spent.

In mostly sunny Wyoming, there’s a great opportunity to harness the rays and cut usage of fossil fuels, he said. "With all this new construction, we should consider some passive solar features," Krahenbuhl said.

The establishment of the institute solidifies the Bay Area as a leading center for biofuel research.

If Great Point Energy–a Boston-area startup with a low-cost process for converting coal into pipeline-grade natural gas–has its way, coal may start keeping us toasty again before long.

"But even while top energy companies are also beginning to invest significant amounts in wind, solar and plants, those investments pale in comparison with the resources they are pouring into making synthetic fuels out of oil sands, a process that emits significantly more carbon dioxide than conventional oil."

The 7th annual Harvesting Clean Energy Conference http://www.harvestcleanenergy.org/conference will be held from Sunday through Tuesday at the DoubleTree Riverside Hotel in Garden City.

The companies — including PG&E, Alcoa, DuPont and General Electric — have formed a coalition with four environmental groups to lobby Bush and Congress for action.