U.N. climate chief warns fires and floods should be wakeup call - The Hill's E2-Wire

U.N. climate chief warns fires and floods should be wakeup call - The Hill's E2-Wire:

By Ian Swanson - 09/02/10 10:59 AM ET

"Figueres mentioned the devastating floods in Pakistan and fires in Russia, which she said were a wakeup call for the need for a new global climate-change agreement.

“Science will show whether and how those events are related to climate change caused by humanity’s greenhouse-gas emissions, but the point is clear: We cannot afford to face escalating disasters of that kind,” she said, according to AFP."

Reid puts renewables mandate in play, eyes lame-duck energy bill - The Hill's E2-Wire

Reid puts renewables mandate in play, eyes lame-duck energy bill - The Hill's E2-Wire:

Ben German, 08/31/10

"Before the August recess, Reid said he doubted an RES — which would require utilities to provide escalating amounts of power from sources like wind and solar energy — could win 60 votes. It was left on the cutting-room floor when Reid unveiled a modest energy bill in late July."

Free Cuba Phone Market Urged on Obama by AT&T, Nokia, Verizon - Bloomberg

Free Cuba Phone Market Urged on Obama by AT&T, Nokia, Verizon - Bloomberg:

Jens Eric Gould, August 31, 2010

"Nokia, the world’s biggest mobile-phone maker, is urging the U.S. to ease its 47-year-old trade embargo so it can sell handsets to Cuba. AT&T and Verizon, the largest U.S. wireless providers, urged regulators to make it easier for U.S. companies to directly connect calls to and from Cuba."

Court thwarts Va. probe of climate scholar - The Hill's E2-Wire

Court thwarts Va. probe of climate scholar - The Hill's E2-Wire:

By Ben Geman - 08/30/10 04:27 PM ET

"The judge noted that the AG must have 'some objective basis' to issue a demand for documents."

Duke Energy HQ named ‘Smartest Building in America’ - Charlotte Business Journal

Duke Energy HQ named ‘Smartest Building in America’ - Charlotte Business Journal:

John Downey, Senior staff writer

August 30, 2010

"Siemens Industry, a sister subsidiary to Siemens Energy, has named the Duke Energy Center tower in uptown Charlotte and a biotech building at Iowa Central Community Colleges the grand prize winners of its inaugural Smartest Building in America Challenge."