A new renewable energy laboratory that will serve to find investments for renewable energy projects and create jobs was launched in late December in Montevideo, Uruguay. The idea for the laboratory was born during a regional ministerial meeting on energy security and renewable energy organized by Uruguay's Industry Ministry the Iberoamerican General Secretary, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The observatory will launch a web site in February which will provide success stories on the use of renewable energy, training opportunities, finance mechanisms, legislation with good results, and other information to foment investment in renewable energy at the local, national, and regional level. For its part, Uruguay is in the process of developing a national strategy to develop ethanol as a major renewable energy source and export product.:: Via SciDev.Net

Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:

• CAT Surgeries Offer Impartial Advice on Alternative Energy
• Will the Next New Deal be Transit-Based? Three Plans to Rescue the Economy and the Earth with Public Transportation
• Sun, Nike, Starbucks and More Meet for Climate Action
• How to Stuff a Stocking with Renewable Energy

But Is It Art?

Will Rising Oil Prices Also Raise Fuel Efficiency Rates?