By Nick Hodge

The debate has once again been renewed about the extension of federal tax credits for energy produced from wind, solar, geothermal, cellulosic ethanol, biofuels and other renewable sources.

If you remember, the last time this discussion surfaced was in December, when the proposed tax credits were rolled into the Energy Bill. But, after a filibuster from the Republicans won by one vote, the credits were cut out and the bill went on to be signed with lackluster provisions--including a despicable rise in CAFÉ standards.

At the heart of the debate is where the money is coming from to fund the tax credits. As you probably know, the money would be shifted away from Big Oil--to the tune of $18 billion.

A Slew of News You Can’t Refuse

By Nick Hodge

UN and the IPCC

This year, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)--which shared the Nobel with Al Gore--released three major documents chronicling the intricate details, implications and possible solutions to climate change.

Bottom line: Climate change is almost certainly being caused by human activity and if nothing is done there will catastrophic environmental, human and economic consequences.

Green Chip Stocks managing editor Jeff Siegel kicks off Green Week discussing his top alternative energy sectors for 2008 and beyond. (November 5th, 2007)

Jeff Siegel is the managing editor of Green Chip Stocks, an investment advisory service that focuses on stocks in the renewable energies markets and emerging and lucrative organic and natural foods industry. An environmentalist and self-professed health nut, Jeff is also a raging capitalist, and believes the dawn of the LOHAS market (lifestyles of health and sustainability) will usher in a new way of life... as well as a new generation of wealth.

By Nick Hodge

PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) is an energy company that controls roughly 12,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity. And while they still generate their power with natural gas and the increasingly taboo coal, there’s something different about this company.

Their headquarters, in Allentown, PA, has stood since the 1920s. But recently the corporation outgrew its aging building and needed to house some employees in a new structure.

Unlike traditional power companies, however, PPL just didn’t slap up the first building proposed by any old architect. They took their time, crunched the numbers, got some green building information and, ultimately, decided to go the green route.

A Most Profitable Montage
By: Nick Hodge

Every week my web browser gets bombarded with news stories about energy. Some news is financial, some scientific, but each has its place in the evolving world of green energy.

A good chunk of that news is press releases, summoned to the top of the ticker by savvy PR firms and in-house marketing departments. But every now and then, a barrage of news floods the scene that is too large and relevant to ignore.

With so much going on in the past few weeks, I thought it was high time we had a green news montage that indicated not only how fast the industry is growing, but also how much money stands to be made.

Climate Change is Investment Megatrend

Producing fuel from corn and other crops could be good for the planet–if only the process didn't take a significant environmental toll. New breakthroughs could make a difference.

When Dario Franchitti steered his sleek, 670-horsepower, orange-and-black Indy car to victory at this year's Indianapolis 500, the ebullient Scotsman chalked up an odd footnote in sports history. He became the first driver ever to win the iconic American auto race on pure ethanol–the gin-clear, high-octane corn hooch that supporters from midwestern farmers to high-ranking politicians hope will soon replace gasoline as America's favorite motor fuel.