BEYOND OIL * Seattle expected to be key market for electric cars http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010131927_electriccars25m.html * Electric car industry pulls in for quick charge at Microsoft http://www.king5.com/news/business/Electric-car-industry-pulls-in-for-quick-charge-at-Microsoft-65880747.html * City of Seattle earns four-star rating for green fleet http://www.seattlechannel.org/news/detail.asp?ID=10231&Dept=36 CLIMATE * Feds designate 'critical habitat' for polar bear http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2010118652_apuspolarbearshabitat.html Assistant Interior Secretary Tom Strickland called the habitat designation a step in the right direction to help polar bears stave off extinction, while recognizing that the greatest threat to the bear is the melting of Arctic sea ice caused by climate change. * Update: Warming continues to affect far north http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091022/ap_on_sc/us_sci_state_of_the_arctic_1 Warming temperatures continue in the polar north, changing wind patterns, melting sea ice and glaciers and affecting ocean and land life, the report said. The Arctic is a sort of natural regulator in terms of the amount of heat stored in the ocean and ice, "especially the loss of sea ice is messing with that thermostat for the whole globe," Spinrad said at a briefing. ENERGY/FUEL * Clean-energy transition promises brighter economic prospects http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2010110988_guest22daudon.html?prmid=op_ed The U.S. Senate is beginning a debate about comprehensive climate and energy policy. Guest columnists Dean Allen and Maud Daudon say those who argue reform costs will be too great are missing the opportunity of a clean-energy transition and the innovation and prosperity it brings... The Clean Energy Jobs bill introduced in the Senate is a good, strong launch for the debate. It includes many of the key provisions that set the stage for accelerated innovation, investment, and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy... Those who suggest that national climate and clean energy policy will set us back economically are missing the boat. The clean-energy transition is likely to be the strongest driver of innovation and prosperity globally for decades to come. * Algae may be secret weapon in climate change war http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091022/sc_afp/lifestyleusclimateenergyalgae As it turns out, algae -- slimy, fast-growing and full of fat -- is gaining ground as a potential renewable energy source. Experts say it is intriguing for its ability to gobble up carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, while living happily in places that aren't needed for food crops... If the research pans out, scientists say they will eventually find a cost-effective way to convert lipids from algae ponds into fuel, then pump it into cars, trucks and jets. NOTE: If the hyperlink to the article fails, contact Consuelo Davis. Consuelo Davis Communications Dept. Puget Sound Clean Air Agency 206-689-4074 consueloD@pscleanair.org Bill Smith Senior Environmental Specialist City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management 3510 S. Mullen Street Tacoma, WA 98409 253-593-7719 Phone 253-591-5547 Fax