Chevron, one of many companies grabbing at Brazil’s huge underwater oil reserves, is in trouble with the Brazilian government after a major spill off the coast of Rio de Janeiro last month. After 3,000 barrels of crude oil from a Chevron-operated well poured into the ocean in November, Brazilian police filed an $11 billion lawsuit against Chevron and rig owner Transocean (the same firm that owned Deepwater Horizon) on charges of negligence and environmental crimes. The National Petroleum Agency has also temporarily banned Chevron from further drilling in Brazil.

An aerial view of the Chevron spill on 11/18/11. Photo credit: Reuters

Federal prosecutors urge for charges to be brought against 17 Chevron and Transocean employees, including Chevron’s president in Brazil George Buck, for withholding information and committing environmental damage. The officer leading the investigation, Fabio Scliar, stated, “I am utterly convinced that the company’s institutional policy is reckless and irresponsible. Therefore, the executives are responsible.” Chevron has apologized but stressed that the allegations are “without merit.”

The outrage in Brazil might be compounded by the fact that the World Cup and Summer Olympics are coming there in 2014 and 2016 so there is pressure for the beaches to look picture perfect. Also, Chevron’s disgusting environmental track record doesn’t inspire confidence. AlterNet, an independent environmental news agency, ranked Chevron the number one worst energy company in the world partly due to their toxic dumping and human rights abuses in Ecuador.

Here are some of the latest news stories about solar energy:

Chevron Makes Use Of Solar Energy to Recover Oil: “What if solar energy is generated in order to extract oil from mature oil fields? Does this constitute a spectacular irony, or a clever application of renewable energy; one that may be justified in a world where oil is likely to remain fundamental to our economy for a considerable number of years to come?”

Aging Parking Meters Get Solar Upgrade: “A small solar-powered parking meter company is benefiting from the down economy and aging parking infrastructure.”

Why Americans Like Solar Energy: Executive Director of the Sierra Club, Michael Brune, discusses how “recent polling and surveys indicate that, by and large, regardless of our politics, we still think developing solar energy is a great idea. ”

World’s Largest Solar Bridge Under Construction in London: “An iconic steam-era railway bridge is to become the world’s largest solar bridge.” This project seems to “have a particular symbolic value when discussing the dawn of a new energy paradigm.” An interesting follow up to this article is: Solar is Possible on Listed Historic Buildings. Should It Be?

Image credit: TreeHugger

Solar Power For Third-World Ag Boosted: U.S-based non-profit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is investing in a program that serves as “an integrated approach to implementing solar energy systems that empower rural communities in developing countries to improve their health, education, economic development and food and water security.”