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Click on the image to view video of plug-in program between Toyota and utility EDF in London.

A sampling of
green-tech news with quick commentary.

To win the presidential race, it takes energy–USAToday.com
A breakdown of the presidential candidates’ positions on energy.
Are cars powered by electricity and hydrogen really better for the planet than biofuels?–International Herald Tribune
As Europe looks to scale back biofuels targets, the biofuels industry fights back saying that hydrogen and electricity are flawed, too. What’s needed is a holistic view of the options and a lot of data.

Video: Toyota and EDF on the plug-in Prius–SmartPlanet.com
Toyota says plug-in hybrid can go up to 60 mph on electric mode and that lithium-ion batteries will be tested in next year’s fleet, giving more capacity.
T. Boone on TV–PickensPlan
T. Boone Pickens and Jay Leno–that will be a doozy. It seems the primary activity of the Pickens Plan so far is publicizing itself.
Tesla v2.0, er, v1.5 hits the road–Wired.com
The specs on the upgraded transmission for Tesla’s electric sports
car.
Cleantech, energytech, and the government R&D factor–Seeking Alpha
Clean-tech VC Rob Day predicts that water and materials–sectors within clean tech–will eventually get more attention than energy.
Seeding the future with ‘podcars’–Los Angeles Times
Opinion piece calling for a new idea of transportation built around on-demand use of a network of electric vehicles.
Super-green, algae-derived jet fuel passes tests with flying colors–Discover
Important test. But the trick, as always, is making it cost-effective.
A call to arms in ‘Hot, Flat, and Crowded’ by Thomas L. Friedman–NYTimes.com
A measured, positive review of Tom Friedman’s call for a “green revolution,” with reviewer’s main complaint being that Friedman offers lofty goals rather than realistic solutions.
Compost heap bacteria could provide 10 percent of U.K. transport fuel needs
I can’t wait until there are home-ethanol-brewing stations attached to compost piles.
Survey says 60 percent of U.S. wind turbines may be behind in maintenance
This is a disturbing survey on wind turbine upkeep. The reason is the lack of qualified personnel.