The CleanTech Week in Review: Energy prices hit consumer pocketbooks; renewed calls for U.S. oil exploration; and Honda’s fuel cell car heads into production.

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) – Monday, 16 June, 2008

McCain calls to lift U.S. oil drilling ban: Republican U.S. presidential candidate John McCain has worked hard to reassure environmentalists of his good intentions. But the Arizona Senator’s announcement Monday that he favors the lifting of federal offshore oil drilling restrictions isn’t likely to win him any Green accolades. McCain will formalize his remarks at a speech in Houston Tuesday. McCain says he wants to return drilling decisions to coastal states, but remains opposed to exploration in the Alaskan wilderness. (USA Today) – Tuesday, 17 June, 2008

Solar Prices Competitive By 2015: Yet another study suggests industrial scale solar power technology is nearing maturity. A white paper (PDF download) commissioned by Clean Edge, Inc., says that the U.S. is now in a position to generate 10 percent of its energy need through solar power by 2015. The study goes on to detail the likelihood that solar photovoltaic power is reaching cost parity with fossil fuel energy, and will become significantly cheaper in cents per kilowatt hour as petroleum prices continue to rise. (Environmental Leader) – Thursday, 19 June, 2008

Revealed — UK’s blueprint for a green revolution: Britain’s Guardian newspaper has gotten a look at the nation’s 12-year renewable energy plan. The plan — soon to be finalized by government officials — calls for massive investment in wind power and one in four British homes being heated by on-site solar power no later than 2020. Ministry official estimate it will require at least £100bn in government subsidies if the country is to hit its European Union-mandated clean ebergy requirement on schedule. (Guardian) – Saturday, 21 June, 2008

Honda announces first batch of FCX Clarity lessees, starts production: The age of the fuel cell vehicle has officially arrived. Honda began production Monday of its FCX Clarity with the presentation of ceremonial keys to the first vehicles’ new owners. The hydrogen-powered car has a range of 270 miles, and will be made available in three California test markets for real-world evaluation of its roadability. (AutoBlog Green) – Tuesday, 17 June, 2008

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