On his website over the weekend, Democratic nominee Jerry Brown announced his jobs plan to create jobs in the renewable energy industry and promote private businesses. His plan calls for California to generate 20,000 new megawatts of renewable energy, as well as placing solar panels on roofs and along highways throughout the state. “Most new jobs should and will be created in the private sector, but government can play an important role in estalbishing a favorable climate for job…

Lighting accounts for roughly 40 percent of electricity use in the United States, and many major cities throughout the nation waste more energy through this source than any other activity. Building retrofits with energy efficient lighting systems are one of the most fundamental, yet simple ways that Americans can cut down on energy use…

In an effort to stimulate alternative fuel vehicle purchases, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 1500 – introduced by Assembly member Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) – which will allow such vehicles access to HOV lanes until January 2015. “Over the past few years the state has taken the lead…

In recent months, Toyota has gotten plenty of press play, but not necessarily the kind the company wanted. The automaker recalled more than 8 million vehicles around the world due to an accelerator-related safety issue and was then levied a $16.4 million fine by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for not disclosing the problem with the sticking pedals in a timely fashion. Amid myriad efforts to repair its public image, Toyota has…

Yesterday, the Ford Motor Company announced its plans to invest $135 million in two Detroit-area component plants as part of what the automaker is calling a “center of excellence” for manufacturing electric cars in Michigan. According to Ford, the investment will create 220 new jobs by 2012, including 130 hourly jobs at a transaxle…