Google aims for green cheaper than coal

Google today announced plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to make renewable energy cheaper than coal.

The campaign, called RE<C, will focus at first on solar thermal, geothermal and wind power. The program will hire experts and engineers to investigate new technology, and the company plans to invest in breakthrough renewable energy projects.

"Our goal is to produce one gigawatt of renewable energy capacity that is cheaper than coal. We are optimistic that this can be done in years, not decades," said Larry Page, co-founder of Google and president of products. One gigawatt could power a city the size of San Francisco, a news release said.

- Asjylyn Loder, Times staff writer