Bizjournals Energy and the Environment

The Colorado Legislature spent the first two months of its 2010 session suspending or eliminating business tax exemptions in order to balance the budget.

Rock Hill residents can now get a charge out of the federal stimulus program.

Duke Energy Carolinas has sharply curtailed the capacity of the power plants it anticipates building over the next 20 years.

North Carolina’s utility consumer advocate says Duke Energy Carolinas’ plans for expanding its wholesale business beyond its traditional service area could cost its primary customers $1 billion in additional charges over 10 years.

The Port of West Sacramento now is powered mostly by the sun, thanks to a new 637-kilowatt photovoltaic system installed by Pacific Power Management LLC. (MS)

This week’s question:

What do you think is the most pressing environmental concern facing Birmingham and what can businesses or local leaders do to improve it?

State lawmakers are weighing Hawaii’s “green” initiatives against its $1.2 billion budget deficit as they allow some energy bills to live while stalling others.

Ethanol and biodiesel retailer Propel Fuels on Wednesday will offer E-85 ethanol for 85 cents a gallon, down from a typical retail price of $2.39 a gallon, at each of its five fueling stations, including two in Sacramento and one each in Rocklin, Citrus Heights and Elk Grove.

Both of Colorado’s U.S. senators and three of its seven U.S. House of Representatives members received top 100-percent scores Monday from the national League of Conservation Voters for their 2009 votes on environmental issues in Congress.

Missouri and Kansas gas prices have chilled this month, though they’re showing signs of being back on the rise.

Agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. has elected a former oil company executive to its board of directors.

Viryd Technologies Inc. received an undisclosed amount of capital from investors, including cash from Ningbo Shentong Auto Decorations Ltd.

Texas-based oilfield tech services giant Schlumberger Ltd announced plans on Sunday to buy Smith International Inc., another Texas firm that makes drilling fluids and equipment, for about $11 billion.

The American Heart Association has recognized Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc. for its corporate-wellness program. (PNY)

Beacon Power Corp., a developer of power storage and management technologies, said it plans to raise $541,500 through the public sale of some 1.5 million company shares.

Lucas Energy Inc. and Terra Energy & Resource Technologies Inc. have announced plans to jointly develop three oil and gas properties in Atascosa County.

County Waste and Recycling Service Inc., the region’s largest locally owned trash hauler, will pay almost $1 million to settle a state investigation into its operations.

GreenRoad Inc., which makes driving safety technology, raised $10 million in venture capital from Generation Investment Management.

The Missouri Botanical Garden has opened a Center for Biodiversity Informatics.

A new report recommending a path for Ohio to regain its economic footing points to key areas where the state should move forward but also red-flags sectors ripe for cutting back.