google has announced that they will attempt to power 1/3 of their campus with a huge solar panel array:

9,200 solar panels will be placed on six buildings at its Mountain View headquarters by next spring

this will produce up to 1.6 megawatts of electricity - enough to supply 30 percent of the campus' electricity on a hot summer day

a company spokesman said that concern about the environment as well as the rising price of electricity motivated the company to go solar

company spokesman also made the comment: "'If we can dispel the myth along the way that you can't be green and profitable at the same time, that's another benefit.'

The company has also installed motion sensors in rooms to turn lights on and off; serves only organic foods in its cafeterias and provides a commuter shuttle that removes hundreds of cars from the road each day

http://www.altenergystocks.com

Weblog: Treehugger
Source: Green Oscars Update: Kate Bosworth Gets the Party Started!
Link: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/03/green_oscars_up.php

Perhaps we might get some answers to Collin's questions during tonight's Global Green USA Oscar Party. The party, hosted to benefit global warming initiatives (including the green rebuilding of New Orleans) promises to rock the house with a sold-out concert emceed by Pras Michel of the Fugees, featuring performances by Liz Phair, Money Mark, Fishbone, Tracy Lyons, and DJs Señor Amor and Peanut Butter Wolf.
Setting the pace for the party will be Kate Bosworth, planning to arrive chauffeured by Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti in his own electric car. Additional celebrity attendees will arrive in a variety of alternative fueled vehicles including Honda Civics powered by natural gas, Ford Hybrid Escapes, Toyota’s electric RAV 4’s and various biodiesel cars.
Ever the smarty-starlet, Frances McDormand takes all this celeb tree-hugging up a notch: “I say we should all walk or rent bikes, but that would determine a new and interesting Oscar dress code.” Perhaps she might consider Jan's Klingberg's Adidé green Oscar gown. Via Global Green - thank you Ruben!

The country that brought us Volvo, Saab, ABBA, and Aqua are preparing their latest export: freedom from oil.

According to John Vidal of the U.K. news source The Guardian, Sweden has been preparing for months to move away from an oil-based infrastructure, a first among the major Western powers. This goal is in response to environmental concerns and dwindling oil resources. Says Mona Sahlin, minister of sustainable development, "a Sweden free of fossil fuels would give us enormous advantages, not least by reducing the impact from fluctuations in oil prices. The price of oil has tripled since 1996."

The country plans to be practically oil-free by the year 2020. Currently, fossil fuels are used primarily in transportation with hydroelectric and nuclear energy sources providing much of the country's electrical needs. Biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are being considered as oil-replacements.

Other countries with goals to move away from oil use include Iceland and Brazil.

[Thanks, Kent!]