Google eyes electricity with new venture

Google has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for permission to begin buying and selling electricity in federally regulated wholesale markets. Through a newly formed subsidiary -- Google Energy LLC -- the company asked to "sell electricity, energy, and related services and products ... at market-based rates." The company has no plans to become an energy seller, said Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick, but rather is laying the groundwork to address challenges meeting its goals for renewable energy and carbon emissions through the existing electricity infrastructure