In this issue: U.S. weighs funding for renewable energy projects; RENEWABLE ENERGY FOCUS: California votes to maintain cap and trade, defeats Prop 23; California releases its proposal to cut greenhouse gas pollution; DOE announces $5M in awards for ocean renewable energy research projects; Renewable energy companies predict projects will slow if U.S. eliminates grants; Cleantech venture investments fall 55% in Q3; State of California wins national clean energy award; UCSC leads research on thin-film solar cells; U.S. wind industry reports slowest quarter since 2007; NOTABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS AND DEALS: Los Angeles utility plans 5 MW array, Solyndra to close a factory, delay expansion, and PG&E suspends wave-energy project off coast.

U.S. weighs funding for renewable energy projects

Wall Street Journal - Nov 3

President Obama's top advisers recommended cutting off funding for a federal loan-guarantee program meant to spur the construction of wind and solar farms and other alternative energy projects, saying taxpayer dollars might be better spent elsewhere. But the advisers warned Obama that pulling money from the program would risk antagonizing powerful allies in Congress, and would "signal the failure of a Recovery Act program that has been featured prominently by the administration," according to an Oct. 25 memorandum.