Alternative Energy Daily News - March 6, 2007

• The man who builds Wal-Mart's massive retail outlets is going against the grain by working from an "eco-template" that saves energy and water and dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

• "Hybrid" buses, powered by a combination of electricity and diesel fuel, could be rolling on Pinellas, FL county roads by summer 2008 if the county bus agency approves.

• Nevada Geothermal Power Inc. announced that the Nevada Public Utilities Commission has approved the 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Nevada Power Company, a subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources. Under the contract, the Faulkner 1 Power Plant at Blue Mountain will supply between 18.75 MW and 31.25 MW (net) of electrical power; expected to come on line in 2009.

• The Board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District in California approved a $2.6-million contract for the conversion of 20 Ford Escape Hybrids and 10 Toyota Priuses to plug-ins.

• In what could be the largest environmentally friendly corporate project in history, Bank of America Corp. will unveil a $20-billion initiative today to help fertilize green business practices.