Cleantech reports that catalyst developer Codexis of Redwood City, Calif., has withdrawn its planned initial public offering. Unfavorable public market conditions forced the change in plans for the developer of catalysts for biofuels and drugs.

Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama continues to draw the admiration, and money, of cleantech entrepreneurs. Earth2Tech reports that a group of San Francisco Bay area executives has formed Cleantech For Obama and has plans to pull together $1 million for the candidate who has promised cap-and-trade regulations and investments in alternative energy.

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EBay Inc. on Wednesday unveiled a new e-commerce site called WorldofGood.com, which it said offers products that have a positive impact on people and the planet, the San Jose Business Journal reports. EBay said at the new eco-friendly site consumers can purchase products made from recycled or natural materials, buy organic or support artisan women in developing nations. WorldofGood.com is a one-stop-shop where the products, producers and sellers are verified by various third parties called trust providers, such as TransFair USA, Co-op America and Aid to Artisans, the company said.

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CMEA Ventures is looking into raising a new $400 million fund aimed at the gap cleantech companies find between starting up and rolling out utility scale projects.

The San Francisco VC firm has hired General Electric veteran Ali Iz to explore raising the fund, the San Francisco Business times reports. Jim Watson, managing director of CMEA, calls the stage the fund would target, “white space.”

“We have a number of companies that have reached that stage and we said, ‘Boy, there really is not an efficient way to attract capital in this white space,” Watson said. “Traditional debt markets or banks don’t want to take any technology risks, and debt funds tend to be smaller and smaller.”

CMEA is working through a $400 million fund now, with half of that money targeted to cleantech companies.

bizjournals: CMEA may raise $400 M cleantech fund

Wind farm developer Noble Environmental Power has set at 23.4 million the number of shares it plans to offer the public, Cleantech reports. The paperwork has been filed as the New York Attorney General’s office investigates whether the company and First Wind Holdings of Newton, Mass. engaged in anticompetitive practices or improperly influenced local officials when developing wind farms in the state.

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Water purification company MIOX Corp. has landed $19 million in venture funding for and expansion the company hopes will be worldwide.

The New Mexico Business Weekly reports the third round led by DCM, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, brings total investment in the company up to $50 million.

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Maryland is using its universities to boost cleantech. But its plans go beyond research or incubators.

The Baltimore Business Journal reports a giant contract for power at state and local government offices and at 11 universities could be a plus for renewables.

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N.Y. Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has reached a deal with Xcel Energy requiring the energy company to disclose the risks global warming poses to its bottom line. The deal could become a template for utilities. Earth2Tech reports Cuomo has also targeted AES Corp., Dominion, Dynegy and Peabody Energy.

Earth2Tech also has news that AVA Solar has pulled in $104 million in equity financing from DCM, Technology Partners, GLG Partners, Bohemian Companies, and Invus.

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California’s insurance commissioner has an idea to get more people out of their cars. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is advocating a plan to tie the amount people pay for insurance to the number of miles they drive, the San Francisco Business Times reports.

The South Florida Business Journal reports that a local developer has big plans for the nation’s first self-contained eco-city. Delray Beach developer Anthony V. Pugliese III plans to build 40,000 houses at the development he’s calling Destiny over the next 25 to 50 years and one of his goals is to build a work-life community that allows people to avoid ever having to drive to work.

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Scientists have found a new cost that comes with wind power. Turns out wind power devastates nearby bats. The wind turbines apparently create low pressure that blows up bats’ lungs.

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Guest Commentary, From The Dallas Business Journal – In early summer, the U.S. Senate considered legislation introduced by Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and John Warner, R-Va., that would have established a cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44% in an effort to prevent global warming.

Thankfully, the bill was defeated. Because of the media hype generated by former Vice President Al Gore and his successful global warming horror movie, “An Inconvenient Truth,” many were surprised by the margin of defeat. The 2008 climate legislation garnered fewer votes than similar legislation had received when considered in 2004 and again in 2006.

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