ATLANTA, Ga. -- Siemens Industry, Inc. has improved upon its popular Siship Blue Drive with the launch of its Blue Drive Plus C system, a new diesel electric propulsion system now available in the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new set of Global Alternative Compliance Paths, or Global ACPs, are now available for all commercial projects pursuing LEED green building certification using the 2009 versions of the rating systems. Global ACPs offer a flexible method for projects around the world to demonstrate compliance with the LEED credits that are traditionally more challenging for projects outside of the U.S.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- What is driving the current surge in American petroleum production, how will it influence the nation’s energy landscape, what are the implications for our energy security, and what is the relationship between energy security and energy independence? Securing America's Future Energy released The New American Oil Boom, a policy report exploring both the benefits inherent in this production growth, as well as the threats posed by oil dependence to the nation’s long-term prosperity.

BETHEL, Md. -- Drinking water supplies in Bethel and Scarborough and the public who rely on them will be better protected following the completion of a Maine Department of Environmental Protection tank replacement project in those communities.

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- GE introduced its 4.1-113 wind turbine, a four MW class machine that is optimized for offshore use and is designed to bring a new level of reliability to the offshore wind industry.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the completion of a successful, unprecedented test of technology in the North Slope of Alaska that was able to safely extract a steady flow of natural gas from methane hydrates, a vast, entirely untapped resource that holds enormous potential for U.S. economic and energy security. Building upon this initial, small-scale test, the Department is launching a new research effort to conduct a long-term production test in the Arctic as well as research to test additional technologies that could be used to locate, characterize and safely extract methane hydrates on a larger scale in the U.S. Gulf Coast.

DURBAN,South Africa -- History was made as 114 mayors and other elected local leaders representing more than 950 local governments from around the world, came together in the signing of the Durban Adaptation Charter, a political commitment to strengthen local resilience to climate change.

Recipient: University of Alaska Fairbanks

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Parkson Corporation and Biowater Technology announced a partnership that expands Parkson's portfolio of biological treatment solutions for wastewater treatment operators in North America. The agreement gives Parkson exclusive distribution rights for Biowater's existing and future fixed-film technologies. This agreement enhances Parkson's ability to meet the needs of municipal and industrial clients who are seeking to minimize energy costs and to satisfy rigid environmental standards.

DALLAS, Texas -- The global geothermal energy market including power generation and direct use in terms of installed capacity is expected to grow from 61,200 MW in 2010 to 120,300 MW in 2015 at an estimated CAGR of 14 percent for the same period. Europe leads the geothermal market with a share of 37 percent followed by Americas and Asia with 32 percent and 27 percent share respectively for geothermal energy supply.

When many people think about carbon emissions, they assume that cars and other motorized vehicles are the main culprits. However, building construction uses 30 percent of all raw materials consumed in this country and 12 percent of all available potable water – 15 trillion gallons each year. This level of water consumption is ultimately unsustainable, given that the United Nations World Water Development Report 3, issued in 2009, states that one-third of the world’s population already lacks access to clean water. The report projects that at the present rate of consumption, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in water-stressed conditions by 2025.