Good news came from a variety of sectors this week. I'll do my best to cover it all.

Monday began with a long-awaited announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency. Thanks to the Clean Air Act, the EPA has the authority to regulate greenhouse gases as long as it finds they "pose a danger to human health and welfare."

The Federal agency could do it in a variety of ways, including with cap and trade or a carbon tax. And it can do it whether Congress approves it or not.

The EPA has already submitted its decision to the White House. We'll know the results pending a review by the Office of Management and Budget.

Again on the emissions front, Monday saw the announcement of merger talks between carbon trading specialists Trading Emissions (TRE.L) and Leaf Clean Energy (LEAF.L). According to reports, any deal would "create the largest carbon-focused company listed in London."

This comes only a week after JP Morgan bought another major carbon player, EcoSecurities.

Any chance they're gearing up for a post-Copenhagen environment?

Perhaps. We know Obama is. He announced this week that he'll attend if it means getting an agreement signed.

But the most beneficial news came from the least likely of places: The International Energy Agency.

In its annual world energy outlook — one of the most respected industry reports — the IEA found that, unless a climate deal is reached, the following will occur:

• World energy consumption will rise rapidly over the next 20 years, pushing up costs and increasing greenhouse gases;

• The world will have to spend an extra $500 billion to cut carbon emissions for each year it delays implementing a major assault on global warming;

• Increases in fossil fuel costs could double energy bills in the largest consumer countries.

Those findings should send a strong signal that it's time to regulate emissions, if not for environmental reasons, then for economic ones.

Turning now from policy to equities. . .

This week's mixed solar news highlighted the importance of Green Chip coverage.

JA Solar (NASDAQ: JASO) and Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) each reported good earnings, while their peers Energy Conversion Devices (NASDAQ: ENER) and GT Solar (NASDAQ: SOLR) lagged.

Being a member of our premium publications would've certainly given you a heads-up, and helped you prepare accordingly. I've been guiding toward JA Solar and Yingli for months now.

We're gearing up for an onslaught of solar earnings next week, including from major players like Suntech (NYSE: STP) and Trina (NSYE: TSL).

Bullishness could ensue, as there was other good solar news on the Street this week.

Taiwan solar firm Sino-American Silicon said it expects wafer shipments to rise 30% in 2010. And respected research firm iSuppli was out with a report showing thin film modules "will more than double their share of the solar panel market by 2013."

Stay tuned to Green Chip next week to see how it all plays out.

As always, I've included any articles you may have missed from the week below.

Call it like you see it,

Nick