Sustainable Industries Daily Update

Fuel prices might be dropping, but U.S. consumers are not flooring it to back to the gas pump.

That must be news to former Clinton-fundraiser Terry McAuliffe's  ears. He is trying to raise $1 billion to launch electric vehicles in the U.S. market.

The solar industry received a big boost today. Developer SunEdison and private equity firm First Reserve announced a combined project financing debt and equity could result in $1.5 billion worth of solar projects.

According to the International Geothermal Association, the amount of geothermal power on the grid rose 20 percent since 2005. There are now more than 10,000 megawatts installed in 24 countries around the world.

The Senate climate and energy bill could create 200,000 new jobs, according to a new report. Additionally, energy costs for homes would likely rise around 3 percent, a figure that could be offset by energy efficiency gains, the report says.