Shounak Dharap:
In recent years, Google has moved beyond mere web searching to become the seemingly omnipotent embodiment of Web 2.0. From Gmail, Blogspot, and YouTube to Google Phone and Google Send to Phone, it seems like Google has embedded itself into every facet of our lives, short of expanding into power and utilities.
Not anymore. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has granted Google the right to sell energy at market prices at both bulk and consumer prices. While the future of Google’s new subsidiary, Google Energy LLC, seems uncertain, a spokesperson for Google officially stated that procuring an energy license was necessary in order to go carbon neutral. After coming under fire for their massive power usage, Google made a pledge to go carbon neutral. With this license, Google can now install enough solar panels to not only power their massive database servers, but also sell back some of the excess power.
Google Energy, Google's newest endeavor
How much power could Google actually use? Go to Google right now and run a search. That search just cost an average of 7 grams of carbon. That’s the amount needed to boil half a kettle of tea.
Google Energy does not plan on becoming a power company, but then again, Google never originally planned to be so much more than a search engine.
I am a second year English major living on Del Playa. I love writing and bringing news and entertainment to the denizens of Isla Vista. 
