The Cleantech Week in Review: GM writes-off its full size SUVs; climate legislation dies in the U.S. Senate; and the Department of Energy gets serious about windpower research and development.

G.M. Shifts Focus to Small Cars in Sign of Sport Utility Demise: Mark Tuesday on your calendar as the day the SUV died. Bowing to the reality, General Motors announced yesterday the shuttering of four North American plants which produce sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks. GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner cited soaring fuel prices and what the company considers “permanent” shifts in consumer sensibilities as the reason for such drastic cutbacks. Wagoner said GM is moving ahead on the development of two new small cars and the efficient 1.4L turbo engine mentioned in yesterday’s Daily Five. Also on the chopping block: the iconic Hummer line, which will face “evaluation” over the next few weeks. (New York Times)  –Wednesday, 4 June

U.S. climate bill dies; hope for 2009: It needed 60 votes to go ahead. On Friday, only 48 Senators voted in favor, with 6 more lending their support. But environmentalists say yesterday’s defeat of a major carbon-capping bill actually reveals significant legislative progress. Similar legislation in 2003 and 2005 only garnered 38 votes. Supporter think that with Democrats likely to net new seat, 2009 may be the charm. Both major presidential candidates on record as supporting the bill. (Reuters)  – Saturday, 7 June

Prius sales down 40% in May, tight supplies blamed: Sales of Toyota’s popular Prius hybrid declined sharply last month. But it’s not that people don’t want hybrids. While demand is at an all-time high, the same can’t be said for part inventories. Toyota simply can’t get its hands on enough batteries to keep cars in the pipeline. More plants are being contracted to meet demand, but it’s unlikely that supplies will improve until Toyota debuts its next-generation Prius in early 2009. There are some supplies of hybid Camrys available, but Nissan’s hybrid Altima and Ford’s Escape crossover are likely to benefit from a glut of would-be Prius buyers. (Autoblog Green)  –Thursday, 5 June

Energy Dept creates wind-turbine research group: The U.S. Energy Department and six major windpower companies have a signed a two-year deal to research turbine development. The collaboration will target more reliable turbine components, address cost control and certification, and mitigate environmental concerns. DOE Assistant Secretary Andy Karsner says his department and the private consortium are committed to expand windpower’s total share of the enrgy market from 2 to 20 percent by 2030. (Reuters)  – Tuesday, 3 June

Nanowire-mesh ‘Paper Towel’ For Oil Spills Absorbs 20 Times Its Weight In Oil: MIT researchers have developed a promising new technology for cleaning up chemical spills. The team claims it has created a nanowire mesh that can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil or other hydrophobic contaminants. The potassium manganese oxide web — which has a consistency similar to that of a paper towel — is expected to be developed for hazardous materials containment. (Science Daily)  – Monday, 2 June

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