The Cleantech Week in Review, Pt. 1: Calls for EPA head Stephen Johnson to resign; changes to the Chevy Volt; and France taps tidal power.

Three senators call for EPA chief to resign: The head of the United States’ top environmental regulatory agency is under fire. On Tuesday, three Democratic senators called for the resignation of EPA chief Stephen Johnson, accusing him of putting corporate interests instead of issues such as air pollution. The trio say they will also request the U.S. Attorney General investigate to see whether Johnson made misleading statements in testimony to the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee. (Reuters)

GM’s Larry Nitz confirms Volt will use 1.4L four cylinder, talks Two-Mode: Change of plan — the Chevy Volt (and whatever its E-Flex siblings may eventually be) will not be powered by a turbocharged 1.0L three=banger, after all. Instead, GM engineers will be tuning up a normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine originally designed for the Chevy Cruze. That word from powertrain specialist Larry Nitz, who also explains that performance of the Volt will not be comprimised when running in “recharge” mode. (Autoblog Green)

US DOE Awards $7.3 million for “Deep-Burn” Nuclear Technology Research & Development: The U.S. government has tapped the Idaho National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory for a $7.3 million project designed to reduce nuclear waste. The two labs will team up to advance so-called “deep burn” reactors which essentially consume plutonium as they generates energy. (Green Car Congress)

Photos: Honda Delivers FCX Clarity to First Customer: Honda has officially put its fuel cell vehicle into the hands of consumers. Hollywood producer Ron Yerxa and his spouse, Annette Ballester, were the first to pick up keys to their new car at a private ceremony on Friday. Up to 200 vehicles will be leased in three test California markets as Honda tests the viability of fuel cell technology. (Green Car Advisor)

France Plans Groundbreaking Tidal Power Experiment: Electricite de France says they’re building a pilot tidal energy project. The 4 to 6 megawatt system will use up to a half dozen turbines and be operational in 2011. The new EDf turbines will be free-floating, and designed to reduce impact to marine life and habitat. (CleanTechnica)

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