Power bills increase after coal prices double in 12 months; a new survey projects robust organic food sales; and renewable bamboo homes for China’s quake victims.

Price jolt: Electricity bills going up, up, up: Utility companies across the U.S. are raising prices by up to 29 percent, the result of increased fuel costs and the need to replace aging power infrastructure. The price spikes are the sharpest in almost 30 years. Coal prices have nearly doubled in the past twelve months, while natural gas costs are up 50 percent on rising demand during the same period. (USA Today)

Mitsubishi Motors Will Increase Lightweight Engine Production by 35%: There’s a not-so-quiet renaissance underway in conventionally fueled engine design. Mitsubishi Motors is the latest to come on board with energy saving technology. The Japanese automaker has committed to ramp up its production of ultra lightweight engines during the next two years. The Mitsubishi line of four cylinder motors trims about 15 percent compared to the weight of standard engines. (Green Car Congress)

ACNielsen Reports Organic Sales on the Rise Despite Economy: A slowing marketplace is not cooling the sale of organic foods. That’s according to an ACNielsen survey performed for the Natural Marketing Institute. The study shows that core LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability) consumers are continuing to drive organic food sales, which remain on track to increase from its current sales of $210 billion per year to $400 billion by 2010. (Triple Pundit)

Heating Your Home: Mass Heaters: With summer in full force in the Northern Hemisphere, it may seem like an odd time to think about home heating. But with record oil prices at hand, this winter’s energy bills are likely to present significant challenges. One option is the new breed of ultra-efficient thermal mass wood heaters. Unlike conventional heaters, which burn their fuel gradually, thermal mass heaters are designed to burn a full load of wood as hot and quickly as possible. This has the effect of reducing emissions when compared with traditional wood stoves — though they’re still producers of carbon dioxide. A mass of masonry then releases the heat gradually over an 18 to 24 hour period. (Green Building Elements)

Durable, Inexpensive, Bamboo Houses Can Be Assembled Quickly For Earthquake Victims: Here’s an example of the timely use of renewable materials. A University of Southern California professor working in China has created a prototype of a durable, all-bamboo prefab house to replace structures lost in last month’s disastrous earthquake. Professor Yan Xiao says the modular structures can be assembled on-site in a matter of hours, and are fabricated with processed bamboo veneer sheets. The 240 square foot mini homes can securely house two to four people, and meet North American standards for earthquake resistance. (Science Daily)