alternative energy

• Laws and Legislation

Italian firm wins Maryland offshore wind leases

An Italian renewable energy company won the rights to develop offshore wind projects in nearly 80,000 acres of Atlantic waters off Maryland's coast with an $8.7 million bid Tuesday.

• Harford

Energy independence starts at home [Editorial]

If we play this right, the next time there's a problem with not enough energy being produced overseas, it won't be a problem locally, thanks to things like solar panels on rooftops.

• Harford

Here comes the sun - and the solar panels - in Harford

Sunny days can mean many different things: vacations, open pools, outdoor festivals and fairs. For the many new users of solar panels in Harford County, though, the summer sun also means their investment in "greener" energy is paying off.

• Opinion

Cap and dividend [Editorial]

Maryland congressman's innovative plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but shield average Americans from higher energy prices deserves serious consideration

• Companies and Corporations

Manure-burning power plant in limbo

Eighteen months after Gov. Martin O'Malley heralded a deal to help clean up the Chesapeake Bay by generating electricity from poultry waste, the company chosen to build the manure-fueled power plant on the Eastern Shore has yet to land a site or apply for permits.

• Baltimore County

Coalition brings solar energy co-ops to Baltimore area

The first residential solar co-operative in the Baltimore metro area was launched last week.

• Environment

Md. offshore wind auction set

Continuing the Obama administration's push to launch a U.S. offshore wind industry, federal officials announced Wednesday that they'll auction off the rights next month to build turbines off Maryland's coast.

• Renewable Energy

Ikea expands rooftop solar panel system atop Perryville distribution center

IKEA has expanded the solar energy system at its Perryville distribution center, making it the largest rooftop array in the state.

• Opinion

Climate change and the green revolution [Letter]

Climate change will prompt the next industrial revolution

• Opinion

Maryland must do more for clean air [Letter]

State must stand firm behind efforts to promote alternative energy, reduce air pollution

• Opinion

Baltimore City endorsements [Editorial]

The Sun makes endorsements in selected Baltimore City races.

• Baltimore City Paper

How Clean Currents’ demise is going to cost you

• Baltimore City Paper

Pounding fists and going for the jugular with the Baltimore Urban Debate League

• Baltimore City Paper

Muni Maybe

• Opinion

Baltimore's Water Wheel goes viral [Commentary]

We were delighted to see a video that captured the Water Wheel in action during a recent storm quickly went viral. After just a few days more than a half-million people had watched the video, and it had reached nearly 850,000 views as of late May, just a few weeks after the Water Wheel was launched. For a time the video was the top-trending link on Reddit, a popular online bulletin board, and it has received thousands of positive comments from viewers all around the Internet.

• Politics

Gov. O'Malley vetoes wind project delay

Congressional delegation warned project threatens military base.

• Opinion

Put wind farm on hold [Letter]

The benefits of proposed wind farm are too modest, and the potential costs to Pax River too great, to veto moratorium

• Opinion

Criticism of Somerset wind farm proposal is off base [Letter]

A Pioneer Green executive defends the company's Somerset County wind farm proposal.

• Opinion

Wind farm not worth the risk [Letter]

Value of Somerset County project is greatly overstated

• Environment

Domino Sugars sign goes solar

Think sunshine — not just sweetness — when you see the Domino Sugars sign lighting up the Inner Harbor at night.

• Opinion

Gone with the wind farm?

A theoretical inconvenience to Pax River radar testing should not trump a $200 million Eastern Shore wind power facility

• Jobs and Workplace

Maryland employers add 2,300 jobs in March

Maryland employers added 2,300 jobs in March, and the unemployment rate remained essentially unchanged since February, according to preliminary estimates released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Friday.

• Laws and Legislation

Hoyer, O'Malley administration spar over Eastern Shore wind project

In a duel of sorts between two of Maryland's top Democrats, U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer came to Annapolis Tuesday to press for legislation opposed by Gov. Martin O'Malley that Southern Maryland officials insist is needed to protect their region's prized naval air base from an Eastern Shore wind energy project.

• Opinion

Bill thwarting wind energy project could hurt state [Commentary]

If you work in Maryland, you have good reason to be concerned about climate change and to be in favor of more clean energy like land-based wind power. Unfortunately, a bill moving in Annapolis right now would severely handicap Maryland's ability to pursue onshore wind development within our borders.

• Anne Arundel

Energy-bill shocks follow cold weather

Higher energy use — and rate spikes for some — increase costs, one ripple among many from the unusual winter

• Laws and Legislation

Bill to protect Pax River could scuttle Eastern Shore wind project

Legislation that could kill a $200 million wind energy project on the Eastern Shore is moving through the General Assembly, pushed by Southern Maryland lawmakers who contend the 600-foot tall turbines threaten their region's most important job generator, Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

• Baltimore City Paper

POUNDING FISTS AND GOING FOR THE JUGULAR WITH THE BALTIMORE URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE

• Opinion

Weathering climate change [Commentary]

Scientists predict climate change will mean more extreme . We have two chief responsibilities to help ensure our city and our residents can "weather" the coming storm. First, we have a moral obligation to do everything we can to limit the activities that contribute to climate change — to help prevent the worst impacts. Second, we must prepare to adapt to the climate change effects we are already experiencing.

• Baltimore County

District 12 candidates speak to seniors at Charlestown in Catonsville

Crowded stage at Charlestown Retirement Community

• Politics

Bills would allow wind, solar projects on preserved farmland

Hundreds of acres of Maryland farmland protected from development at taxpayer expense could be turned into wind or solar energy farms under legislation before the General Assembly.

• Opinion

Farm preservation and renewable energy [Letter]

Legislation would sacrifice agricultural preservation for energy production

• Environmental Issues

Solar firm's problems radiate to customers

Greenspring Energy customers say firm didn't pay them for solar credits it sold on their behalf

• Weather

Offshore wind turbines could weaken hurricanes, study finds

Massive windmills that could dot the horizon from Ocean City within a few years could affect more than the power grid -- they could offer some protection from hurricanes, a study has found.

• Features

Historic homes and solar energy

Solar panels for homes

• Opinion

The GOP does the bidding of the 1 percent [Letter]

The GOP does the bidding of the 1 percent

• Environmental Issues

Renewable energy provider Clean Currents discontinues service

Clean Currents, a Silver Spring-based provider of renewable energy for residents and businesses, said Friday it has stopped serving customers after rising wholesale electricity prices in the recent-cold snap caused the company to default on payments to its supplier, electricity grid operator PJM Interconnection.

• Opinion

Domestic drilling could spur U.S. economy [Letter]

Economy would prosper if U.S. relied more on domestic energy sources and less on the Middle East

• Opinion

Drinking water contamination not only downside of proposed gas pipeline [Letter]

Natural gas pipeline is not the responsible nor most cost-effective solution to Maryland's energy needs

• Sun Investigates

City energy contracts go to official's former business partners

Twice this year, the city has awarded no-bid energy consulting contracts to a Baltimore company recommended by the head of the city's energy office, who was once listed as a "special partner" in the firm.

• Howard County

Howard installing solar cells at sewage treatment plant

Howard County is set to begin work this week installing about 740 photovoltaic panels at its Little Patuxent "water reclamation" plant in Savage. The $1.5 million project will generate just a fraction of the power needed by Maryland's fifth largest wastewater treatment plant.

• Harford

Aberdeen native awarded at White House for solar energy company

Aberdeen native, Nat Kreamer, 37, was honored at the White House alongside 11 other U.S. veterans for advancing the areas of clean energy and climate security on Tuesday morning.

• Marketing

Electricity market brings choices, deals — and scams

As more customers and companies jump into Maryland's electricity-purchase market, problems and outright scams are mounting. But the options for getting a good deal on power are rising, too.

• Opinion

Lessons from Superstorm Sandy

One year later, Superstorm Sandy still a memorable lesson in dangers of global warming

• Business

Solar projects 'more mainstream' as costs fall

Solar is becoming mainstream in an increasing number of states, Maryland included. And it's not just about panels on government roofs, rising from expansive fields or atop environmentalists' homes. Corporate America has signed on.

• Howard County

Homes shine a light on the power of solar energy

When Dan and Margo Duesterhaus moved into their Ellicott City home 12 years ago, the solar power movement was still more concept than reality. But the couple had always been environmentally conscious, and they put their ideals into action.

• Environmental Issues

House tour shines a light on solar power

When Dan and Margo Duesterhaus moved into their Ellicott City home 12 years ago, the solar power movement was still more concept than reality. But the couple had always been environmentally conscious, and they put their ideals into action.

• Laurel Leader

Trend toward solar-powered homes catching on in Laurel

This year, Chip and Monica Gribben's house on Holger Court in Laurel is one of more than 50 solar and green homes — including six in the Laurel area — featured on the annual Washington Metropolitan Area Tour of Solar Homes. The homes will be open this weekend, Oct. 5 and 6, to homeowners interested in taking the solar route themselves.

• Politics

Gansler launches campaign for governor

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler launched his campaign for governor Tuesday, casting himself as an anti-establishment Democrat overflowing with ideas and willing to take risks.

• Environment

O'Malley, Cardin back Obama's move to curb power-plant carbon emissions

Maryland's Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley and Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin joined environmentalists in praising the Obama administration's announcement Friday that it is moving to curb carbon-dioxide emissions from power plants.

• Harford

Climate change a serious issue that needs addressed [Letter]

Congressman Harris, my generation is depending on your generation of leaders to rise above partisan politics and combat the challenges that face our nation.