"California regulators on Wednesday recommended that the state’s first new big solar power plant in nearly two decades be approved after a two-and-half-year review of its environmental impact on the Mojave Desert."

"The White House is finalizing rules on the first U.S. greenhouse gas emission standard for automobiles, which would raise average fuel economy 42 percent by 2016 in a bid to slash oil imports and fight climate change."

"The U.S. Senate approved a bill that extends the $1-a-gallon tax credit for biodiesel, which expired Dec. 31."

"Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law Wednesday offshore drilling legislation intended to realize his goal of making Virginia the East Coast's energy superpower."

"A wastewater disposal process done after natural gas extraction — and not the drilling itself — is a plausible cause for the surprising series of minor earthquakes in north Texas, according to a study released Wednesday."

Spain's boom-and-bust experience with subsidized solar energy may hold some lessons for other countries.

"Not many years ago, there wasn't enough wind power coming from the Great Plains to worry about. Now there is, and lots of people are worrying."

"Diplomacy and energy are never far apart in the Persian Gulf. So, as American officials seek new international sanctions against Iran this week, it’s probably wise for them to remember how much the world’s global energy map has changed over the past decade."

"The national oil company created after the 1938 seizure, Pemex, is entering a period of turmoil. Oil production in its aging fields is sagging so rapidly that Mexico, long one of the world's top oil-exporting countries, could begin importing oil within the decade."

"Democrats will turn the focus to energy efficiency standards and incentive programs this week with hearings in the Senate and House energy panels."

"Texas, the nation's wind-power leader, set a new record for wind generation this morning, when -- at 6:37 a.m. -- about 19 percent of the electricity on the state's main grid was supplied by turbines."

"President Barack Obama [Tuesday] outlined the details of a new 'Homestar' program that would help create jobs by encouraging American families to invest in energy saving home improvements. The President spoke of the new program while touring a training facility at Savannah Technical College."

"A Silicon Valley company is claiming a breakthrough in a decades-old quest to develop fuel cells that can supply affordable and relatively clean electricity. Google, Bank of America, Wal-Mart and other large corporations have been testing the devices, which will be formally introduced on Wednesday."

"Just seven months after Arizona enacted a law that supporters said would help make the state the 'solar capital' of the nation, new legislation has been introduced that opponents maintain could kill the nascent industry."

"Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged Congress on Thursday to reinstate the $1 a gallon biodiesel tax credit, calling it "an important credit" and "a support mechanism" for renewable fuels."