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Major Quake Cluster Found Off West Coast (posted 12/31/04)
A "clustering" of great earthquakes that could trigger a major tsunami has been identified off the Pacific Northwest coast, scientists say.
Tsunami Warning System Coming (posted 12/31/04)
A tsunami warning system that could have saved thousands of lives last Sunday should be in place in South Asia and Southeast Asia within a year, the United Nations said.
Coal plant critics seek to block request for speedy hearing in Wisconsin (posted 12/31/04)
The state isn't facing an imminent energy crisis if construction of two coal plants in Oak Creek is delayed, opponents of the project said in court filings.
Indian nuclear power station cleared to resume generation (posted 12/31/04)
The unit had been shut down after sea water entered into the pump house following the tsunami on 26 December. Unit-1 had been shut down sometime back for refurbishment.
Myanmar undertaking five-year electric power plan (posted 12/31/04)
Myanmar has been implementing a five- year short-term electric power plan, which began in 2003, to generate 2,000 more megawatts (mw) in a bid to meet its domestic power demand and bring about socio-economic progress.
Nuclear plant near Spring City, Tenn., to be shut down sooner than expected (posted 12/31/04)
The Tennessee Valley Authority will shut down its Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant for refueling next year sooner than originally planned to help plug a tube leak within one of the plant's four steam generators.
Russia's nuclear exports exceed 3.5bn dollars in 2004 (posted 12/31/04)
Uranium products from Russia currently meet 30 per cent of all fuel requirements of foreign nuclear [power] stations
The EPA's Green Vehicle Guide has been updated (posted 12/31/04)
The EPA's Green Vehicle Guide has been updated and now includes data for the following Model Year 2005 vehicles:
Aftershocks Rattle Devastated, Food-Short Aceh (posted 12/31/04)
Aftershocks spread fresh fear on Thursday among the people of Indonesia's Aceh province, already devastated by the globe's biggest earthquake in 40 years and the tsunami that followed it.
Earthquake of Richter 5.3 Jolts Northern Colombia (posted 12/31/04)
An earthquake of 5.3 on the Richter scale jolted Colombia's province of Bolivar about 300 miles (500 km) northwest of the capital Bogota
Quake Jolts Area North of Tokyo (posted 12/31/04)
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5 jolted Japan's Miyagi Prefecture, some 300 km (190 miles) northeast of Tokyo, on Thursday
Disease Next as Tsunami Toll Rises (posted 12/31/04)
Diarrhea, malaria, dengue fever, and even meningitis and flu may be waiting to cause a second wave of misery across Indian Ocean coastal areas devastated by Sunday's tsunami
Tsunami Adds to Belief in Animals' "Sixth Sense" (posted 12/31/04)
Wild animals seem to have escaped the Indian Ocean tsunami, adding weight to notions they possess a "sixth sense" for disasters
Tsunami Toll Puts World in Sombre New Year Mood (posted 12/31/04)
Asia's tsunami death toll soared above 125,000 and aid agencies warned many more people -- particularly children -- could die in epidemics, ushering in a sombre New Year's Eve for the world.
Tsunami toll tops 119,000, half-billion in aid pledged (posted 12/31/04)
The death toll in Sunday's Indian Ocean tsunami disaster neared 120,000 on Thursday as UN Secretary General Kofi Annan spoke of "an unprecedented global catastrophe" which called for "an unprecedented global response".
Voters energize plans for Colorado wind farms (posted 12/31/04)
This week, a proposal for a $143 million wind farm in northeastern Colorado near the Nebraska border advanced with Logan County's approval to erect 87 wind turbines.
Small Wind Energy (posted 12/30/04)
U. S. Department of Energy Awards Southwest Windpower
Russia's Arctic Nuclear Power Plant Achieves Highest Production in 10 Years (posted 12/30/04)
The Kola nuclear power station - the world's biggest nuclear power plant inside the polar circle - met the annual target today. It has generated 10bn kWh of electricity this year.
Russia re-opens prototype of tidal power station in Far North (posted 12/30/04)
The first power station in the country that exploits the energy of sea tides has been re-opened on the coast of the Barents Sea.
Palo Alto, Calif., to buy 'green' power created by gas of decomposing garbage (posted 12/30/04)
The city utilities department has inked a deal to buy "green" electricity created by the methane gas that seeps out of the buried, decomposing garbage in the Santa Cruz County landfill.
Nevada commission issues solar power rebates (posted 12/30/04)
State regulators on Tuesday approved solar power rebates for 50 residential and small-business electric customers and adopted a program designed to help independent power developers secure financing for wind, solar and geothermal power projects.
Massey Energy reopens coal mine in Kanawha County (posted 12/30/04)
"We expect to increase in production in 2005, but we're starting out slow, just like we said we would."
Analysts debate if high 2004 tanker rates will repeat in 2005 (posted 12/30/04)
The shocking run-up in tanker freight rates this year was attributed in part to higher Far East demand, but is that enough to keep rates strong in 2005? Yes and no, say analysts.
Asian crude, light product prices rise more than 25% in 2004 (posted 12/30/04)
Average Asian spot crude and product prices, with the exception of fuel oil, registered an increase of more than 25% this year
Berkeley Lab Releases Report on State Markets (posted 12/30/04)
The market for small, residential wind systems in the U.S. is small, but growing, with recent growth primarily spurred by aggressive state policy efforts.
CANADA Clean Energy Project Analysis Software (posted 12/30/04)
The Government of Canada's RETScreen International Clean Energy Project Analysis Software is a unique decision support tool developed with the contribution of numerous experts from government, industry, and academia.
Coal mines near Carson, N.D., will soon be gone (posted 12/30/04)
Old coal mines dating back to the 1920s, when cheap and plentiful lignite was a dominant fuel for heating prairie structures, will finally be reclaimed.
Environmentalists trade barbs over wind power (posted 12/30/04)
Two Maryland environmental leaders who favor wind power development have demanded the ouster of a Sierra Club official who opposes wind turbines in the western Maryland mountains.
FERC Extends Filing Deadline in Small-Generator Interconnection Proceeding (posted 12/30/04)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has extended the deadline to February 18, 2005, for comments on the Commission's development of standardized interconnection agreements and procedures for small generators.
How have rising gas prices impacted some merchants? (posted 12/30/04)
"It is no secret that rising natural gas prices have been a boon to merchant power generators, especially those that own baseload generation,"
Generator Malfunction Stops Bulgarian Nuclear Reactor (posted 12/30/04)
After the generator switched off the automatic protection was activated and the third reactor was stopped
Swiss distribution of potassium iodide to continue (posted 12/30/04)
The pills can prevent thyroid absorption of radioactive iodine if taken shortly before or immediately after exposure to radiation, such as from a nuclear accident.
System Overload Prompts Power Outages in Brownsville (posted 12/30/04)
"I felt like they were really jerking us around." "They tell us it was because of the snow but I think they just put too many houses on one line."
The Energy Challenge 2004 - Scenarios (posted 12/30/04)
With declining oil availability by 2010, and declining natural gas already happening, we can project three energy scenarios for 2030
Wildlife refuge in Md. finds clean power blowin' in wind (posted 12/30/04)
On a blustery day in 2001, Megan Walkup looked out the window of her office at the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Rock Hall, Md., and marveled at how the wind was shaking the edge of the roof.
Utility Mulls Cow Power (posted 12/30/04)
Energy Northwest is at a crossroads with its pilot project that turns cow dung into kilowatts.
World Mobilises for Asia Disaster, Toll Nears 80,000 (posted 12/30/04)
Up to 5 million people around the Indian Ocean waited for food and clean water on Thursday as nations hit by one of the biggest tsunamis on record rush to bury their dead and avert the threat of disease.
Where Are All The Dead Animals? Sri Lanka Asks (posted 12/30/04)
Sri Lankan wildlife officials are stunned -- the worst tsunami in memory has killed around 22,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast, but they can't find any dead animals.
The weight and speed of the Tsunami (posted 12/30/04)
we can begin to understand why there may have been an earth wobble created by this one event.
US Expert Sees More Aftershocks But No Killer Quake (posted 12/30/04)
Strong aftershocks from the Indonesian earthquake will be felt for "weeks and months" but more killer-magnitude tremblers and deadly tsunamis were unlikely
Tsunami Threatens Survival of Indian Tribes (posted 12/30/04)
Some primitive Indian tribes could be on the verge of extinction after a deadly tsunami slammed into the far-flung Andaman and Nicobar islands
Strong Aftershocks Continue Near Sumatra (posted 12/30/04)
Strong aftershocks of last Sunday's devastating earthquake continue to rock southeast Asia, with five temblors of a magnitude 5.6 or greater in the last 24 hours
Earthquakes related to the one that caused the tsunami (posted 12/30/04)
The amount of power of these additional quakes equal or exceed the power of the original quake of 31,800,000,000 (almost 32 billion ) tons of TNT.
Quake May Have Made Earth Wobble (posted 12/30/04)
The deadly Asian earthquake may have permanently accelerated the Earth's rotation -- shortening days by a fraction of a second -- and caused the planet to wobble on its axis, US scientists said on Tuesday.
Coral Reefs May Take Years to Recover from Tsunami (posted 12/30/04)
Precious coral reefs and mangrove areas would have been crushed by the huge tsunami waves that have devastated southern Asia, an environmental and economic setback that could take years to reverse
Indian ports hit by Tsunami (posted 12/30/04)
The tsunami devastation in parts of southeast Asias coastline on Dec. 26 and its aftermath have seriously affected two ports in Indias peninsular east coast. Chennai (Madras) port has been closed since the disaster after three ships collided and there was an oil spill from one ship. At Tuticorin port, one ship laden with coal lost its moorings.
Indian officials says nuclear plant "completely safe" (posted 12/30/04)
there is no radiation leakage from the plant
A day of truth is coming for a troubled nuclear power plant (posted 12/29/04)
While Public Service Energy Group has been working for more than two months to fix the problems that caused the leak, activists are hoping a second problem will keep the plant from being restarted immediately.
Cape Cod Town to Get Wind Farm Benefits (posted 12/29/04)
Cape Cod Town of Yarmouth to Get Wind Farm Benefits While Pushing for Its Defeat
Court declines to block class-action lawsuit against Sempra (posted 12/29/04)
A state appellate court has declined to block a
class-action lawsuit against Sempra Energy that accuses the company of
conspiring to manipulate natural gas supplies in order to reap profits during
California's energy crisis.
Energy Answers Are Blowing in the Wind (posted 12/29/04)
Energy experts are lobbying for a lake to be used as a wind farm to supply much needed and cleaner electricity.
Giant Eagle Supermarket Is a True 'Green Grocer' (posted 12/29/04)
Supermarket retailer Giant Eagle is the first grocer to open and operate a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified supermarket in the U.S.
La. Fund Would Aid Energy Efficiency (posted 12/29/04)
The fund would give incentives for making energy-saving improvements on buildings, would help some consumers pay their utility bills, and would educate consumers on the need for reducing energy use.
New corporate-accounting law proves expensive for New Mexico utility (posted 12/29/04)
Public Service Company of New Mexico has spent more than $1 million complying with a new federal mandate designed to protect customers and shareholders from Enron-style accounting scandals.
One of World's Largest Quakes Hits Near Australia (posted 12/29/04)
The earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale hit near Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean
Rosneft sells its shares in Barents sea fields to pay for Yugansk (posted 12/29/04)
Rosneft paid out the sum received from the deal to Surgutneftegaz that had helped Baikal Finance Group to place a $1.7-mil deposit to be allowed to bid for Yuganskneftegaz.
Russian Gazprom gains full control over northern shelf projects (posted 12/29/04)
Yuganskneftegaz. Rosneft bought the Yukos production unit through buying the
auction winner, which nobody had heard of until it was announced the winner.
South Korea, China to Start Joint Solar Energy Project (posted 12/29/04)
South Korea will cooperate with China in developing ways to harness new and renewable energy resources, beginning with a joint solar energy project
Strong Quake Hits Northern Japan, No Tsunami Warning (posted 12/29/04)
An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 4.9 struck the northern Japanese prefecture of Niigata on Tuesday but no tsunami warning was issued.
Tsunami causes Kalpakkam-2 to trip (posted 12/29/04)
Kalpakkam-2 tripped following the giant tidal wave that hit the east coast of India Dec. 26, but the 170-MW PHWR remains safe and there was no release of radioactivity, India's Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) said in a message sent today to the IAEA.
US Scientists Say Quake Movement Shifted Islands (posted 12/29/04)
permanently moved the tectonic plates beneath the Indian Ocean as much as 98 feet (30 metres), slightly shifting islands near Sumatra an unknown distance
Race to Bury Asia's Dead as Toll Soars Near 60,000 (posted 12/29/04)
Stricken Indian Ocean nations worked swiftly on Wednesday to bury thousands of bodies as experts warned disease could kill as many people as the 60,000 already dead from the violent crush of Sunday's tsunami.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON THE FREQUENCY AND MAGNITUDE OF HEAVY PRECIPITATION (posted 12/29/04)
IT IS NOW WIDELY RECOGNISED THAT THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ARE LIKELY TO BE EXPERIENCED THROUGH CHANGES IN THE FREQUENCY OF EXTREME EVENTS, INCLUDING FLOODING.
water weight (posted 12/29/04)
Let us analyze some forces that may cause old Mother Earth to "slip a disk" (or a plate?)
Measuring Earthquakes By Magnitude (posted 12/29/04)
Seismologists indicate the size of an earthquake in units of magnitude, a logarithmic measure of earthquake size.
Magnitude / Intensity Comparison (posted 12/29/04)
The following table gives intensities that are typically observed at locations near the epicenter of earthquakes of different magnitudes.
magnitude (posted 12/29/04)
A number that characterizes the relative size of an earthquake.
Yarmouth, Mass., would get wind farm windfall (posted 12/28/04)
Like other Cape and Islands communities whose horizon could be forever altered by offshore windmills, Yarmouth is officially opposed to a wind farm in Nantucket Sound.
Northeastern Pennsylvania gives windmills a spin (posted 12/28/04)
There's one obvious reason this mountainous, sparsely populated township is poised to become one of the leading areas for wind power in the eastern United States.
Westar Not in
Wind Market Kansas Utility Says Now Isn't the Right Time (posted
12/28/04) - Kansas set a record for the value of the oil and natural gas produced in
the state --- $3.3 billion. - Ethanol production increased 60 percent to a new record of 130 million
gallons - Kansas continues to be a net importer of energy Coalition Wants
Cook Closed (posted 12/28/04) American Electric Power Co.'s attempt to renew its license for its twin
reactors at the D.C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant in Bridgman is facing stiff
opposition from environmental and public interest groups. Itochu,
Chubu Elec. Form Fund to Invest in U.S. Power Biz (posted 12/28/04) they have set up a 40-million- dollar fund to invest in U.S. power firms and
learn their business skills acquired in a deregulated market. OAK
CREEK POWER PLANT Consumers Must Demand (posted 12/28/04) This decision should serve as a warning to utility companies who think they
can cut corners in the permitting process without consequence. Florida
Power & Light Co. says Hurricane Frances was most costly (posted
12/28/04) Jeanne may have been stronger, Charley may have been more surprising, but it
was stubborn, slow-moving Frances that cost the most. New
nominees, big choices will shape California utility board in 2005 (posted
12/28/04) Despite the divergent votes, California traveled a long way from the
disastrous deregulation experiment that led to the state's power crisis of
2000-01. Leader:
Concern Over Wind Power (posted 12/28/04) Unfortunately for the advocates of wind power, many of whom do not live in
the country, it is clear both from growing protests and The Scotsman letters
page that there are many who do not wish some of our most beautiful scenery to
be covered in wind turbines. There is also a growing number who now suspect the
economics of wind power. Appalachian
Power Customers Set Record for Electricity Usage (posted 12/28/04) "Extreme cold temperatures, combined with steady growth in customer
consumption of electricity Anger Over
Support for Nuclear Power (posted 12/28/04) ALLAN Wilson, the Executive's minister for renewable energy, sparked anger
yesterday when he gave his support to the principle of building new nuclear
power stations in Scotland. CEZ Will
Reduce the Combustion of Biomass With Coal (posted 12/28/04) CEZ (Prague, Czech Republic), power company, will decrease its production of
electric power, which is produced by the mixed combustion of coal and biomass,
by 25% Ski Club Turns to
Solar Power (posted 12/28/04) SKI club members have switched to solar power to warm up their days on the
slopes. Solar
Power To Generate 60% Of SBCFCU's Electricity Needs (posted
12/28/04) The 38-kilowatt system will generate approximately 60% of the
SBCFCU's electricity usage, reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere
by more than 77,000 pounds per year, and it will pay for itself in 10 to 15
years by saving money on electricity. Russian
government asks ministries to draft energy sector reform plan (posted
12/28/04) to draft a comprehensive plan for the reform of the power
sector and to submit it to the government in the first quarter of 2005 OPEC
sees surplus of 1-mil b/d at current production rates (posted
12/28/04) "For the fourth quarter of 2004, the current level of OPEC production
and the estimated level of demand imply a surplus to the balance of around 1-mil
b/d El Paso
Corporation Announces Settlement of Pending Litigation with State of Arizona (posted
12/28/04) a settlement, which has received final approval from the
Maricopa County Superior Court El Paso
reaches settlement with Arizona on energy crisis lawsuits (posted
12/28/04) El Paso Corp has reached a $46.4-mil settlement with Arizona over the state's
pending litigation from the western energy crisis of 2000-2001 California
ruling clears way for Sempra class action suit trial (posted
12/28/04) A California appeals court decision has cleared the way for a $24-bil class
action lawsuit against Sempra Energy and two of its subsidiaries to go forward Falling dollar
makes coal attractive (posted 12/28/04) A German utility source said falling US dollar exchange rates, (the dollar
has lost around 40% of its value against the European single currency Global
Warming, Pollution Add to Coastal Threats (posted 12/28/04) A creeping rise in sea levels tied to global warming, pollution and damage to
coral reefs may make coastlines even more vulnerable to disasters like tsunamis
or storms in future Oil
Contamination Closes Fisheries in Bering Sea Near Grounded Freighter (posted
12/28/04) State regulators have banned commercial fishing in the Bering Sea near the
wreckage of a grounded freighter where fuel oil has been seeping since early
this month. Tidal Wave
Began Beneath Indian Ocean (posted 12/28/04) The chain reaction that sent enormous, deadly tidal waves crashing into the
coasts of Asia and Africa on Sunday started more than six miles beneath the
ocean floor off the tip of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Tsunami
Threatens Survival of Low-Lying Maldives
Islands (posted 12/28/04) The tidal waves that swept across the Indian Ocean did more than take a heavy
toll of lives and property in the Maldives -- it confronted the tiny island
nation with a threat to its survival. Oil-Spill
Cleanup Makes Progress on Mexican Beaches, but Pollution Persists (posted
12/28/04) Mexican state oil monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos on Monday announced it had
recovered about two-thirds of the estimated 5,000-barrels of oil that spilled
last week into a river feeding the Gulf of Mexico. California
Farmers have until Year's End to Turn in Plans to Clean the Air (posted
12/28/04) The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is requiring
large-scale farmers to submit plans by the end of the year showing what they're
doing to reduce the microscopic particles of dust, chemicals or other substances
that come from their land. A Solar-Powered Site (posted
12/23/04) Portland may not be the sunniest spot in the United States, but that didn't
stop the Portland Oregon Visitors Association (POVA) from launching a
solar-powered Web site Buyout
Rejection Leads to Drop in Shares for UniSource Energy Corp (posted
12/23/04) Shares of UniSource Energy Corp. dropped more than 3 percent Wednesday, a day
after state regulators rejected a $3 billion buyout of the company by a private
investment group. Calif.
Utilities Budget for Climate Change (posted 12/23/04) The California Public Utilities Commission now requires the cost of
addressing global warming in the future be accounted for in current utility
budgets. Concerns
sprout over chemical used to stunt trees by South Carolina utility (posted
12/23/04) A chemical that stunts tree growth is being injected into the ground around
trunks under power lines on James Island Department of
Energy Announces the Award of 35 Cooperative Agreements with U.S. Universities
Totaling About $21 Million (posted 12/23/04) major nuclear energy research and development programs, including the
Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative, the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems
Initiative and the Nuclear Hydrogen Initiative. DOE Releases
Annual Energy Outlook Report (posted 12/23/04) The report says that by 2025 as much as 68 percent of the U.S. petroleum
demand could depend on imported oil, up from 56 percent in 2003. Honda Accord
Hybrid Now Available (posted 12/23/04) The all-new 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid, the world's first V-6 powered
gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle and Honda's third hybrid, is now on sale at
Honda dealerships nationwide. Large oil
reserves found in Bohai Bay (posted 12/23/04) Exploration teams have found the Bohai Bay Basin of North
China may contain 20.5 billion tons of offshore oil reserves, with 9 billion
tons already proven Minnesota
pollution agency's plan limits mercury discharges (posted 12/23/04) As part of a long-range plan to reduce mercury levels in
Minnesota lakes and rivers, the state Pollution Control Agency on Wednesday
outlined an eventual discharge target the state should meet to restore
mercury-contaminated waters. Power-Grid
Upgrade Gets Initial OK (posted 12/23/04) The reliability of Boston's electric system could be improved under a massive
transmission-line upgrade given preliminary approval yesterday by regulators. Renewable Energy
Markets (posted 12/23/04) Analysis of how customers buy into biomass energy technologies, examples of
renewable power suppliers, how Renewable Energy Certificates work, and where
providers are now operating. Solar,
Biomass Projects Part of Pnm's Future (posted 12/23/04) Public Service Company of New Mexico, which has waded into wind power on a
large scale, is about to put its big toe into another pool of alternative
energy. The
Orlando Sentinel, Fla., Home Energy column (posted 12/23/04) You didn't have to be one of the 8.8 million Florida residents who lost power
during those storms -- outages that ranged from hours to a couple of weeks or
more -- to appreciate how much we rely on electricity in our everyday lives.
Now everyone wants to find out more about photovoltaics
THIS WEEK AT EIA (posted
12/23/04) THIS WEEK AT EIA is a list summarizing and providing URLs for
every Energy Information Administration (EIA) product released during this week.
You can sign up for many of these products U.S.
Dismayed by Latest Russian Moves on YUKOS (posted 12/23/04) "We are disappointed in the way this case has been handled," State
Department spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters. "We certainly don't think
it's been disposed of in a transparent or open way." Venezuela,
China pledge to boost strategic partnership (posted 12/23/04) expand cooperation in the energy sector, launch mining
cooperative projects and enrich cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure
construction and [the] high-tech sector Venture
Capital Firms Are Backing the Renewable Energy Innovators (posted
12/23/04) With oil in excess of $45/ barrel and upward pressure continuing, we believe
that more of the alternative energy/ renewable energy will become economically
viable. Venezuela and
Russia pledge to work to stabilize oil market (posted 12/23/04) Two of the world's largest oil
suppliers, and pledged to work to stabilize the world oil market. Russia might
stop energy exports by 2010 (posted 12/23/04) Russia could stop energy exports by
2010 because of its low energy efficiency Nuclear assets drew
Chicago-based Exelon's eye to New Jersey power producer (posted
12/23/04) It was the nuclear plants, three poorly operating reactors, that attracted
Exelon Corp.'s attention and eventually led it to acquire New Jersey's largest
utility. No way found
to bury more of power lines in Connecticut (posted 12/23/04) Some groups want more than 24 miles of the cables buried, citing reasons
including the potential health hazard of overhead lines they worry will generate
electro-magnetic fields. New
Mexico regulators approve solar, biomass plans (posted 12/23/04) State regulators Tuesday approved a PNM plan to spend up to $1.4 million
on solar and biomass projects to comply with a state renewable energy law. Gazprom's
prospects improved by Rosneft, Baikal deals (posted 12/23/04) Russia's Gazprom is likely to have improved its chances of skipping around
legal traps set by Yukos in the US, through maneuvering its oil assets and units
via Rosneft Arizona
utility board votes down proposed buyout of Tucson utility's parent (posted
12/23/04) State utility regulators rejected a $3 billion leveraged buyout of Tucson
Electric Power Co.'s parent company Tuesday, saying hundreds of millions of
dollars in new debt posed too great a risk to ratepayers. Arizona
denial of utility sale may be of interest in Oregon (posted
12/23/04) Repercussions of the vote could filter through to Oregon, where utility
regulators are deciding whether to approve buyout firm Texas Pacific Group's
proposal to acquire Portland General Electric from Enron for $2.35 billion. Tokyo
Electric Power Co. to procure uranium from Canada (posted 12/23/04) Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Wednesday it will begin to procure Canadian
uranium for nuclear power plants when Saskatchewan Spending surge
for green power (posted 12/23/04) London POWER
companies are to be allowed to invest pounds 560m in expanding their networks to
transport energy from renewable sources in remote locations, the regulator Ofgem
announced yesterday. Avocado
Oil, Taco Grease Fuel Eco-Bus in Mexico (posted 12/23/04) Ecologists
toured Mexico City taco stands and sushi bars on Wednesday to refuel an old
school bus with waste cooking oil that will power the next leg of a
green-awareness tour from California to Costa Rica. Santa Workshop
Under Threat From North Pole Thaw (posted 12/23/04) Santa may
have to move his workshop from the North Pole because global warming is thawing
the ice beneath his elves' and reindeers' feet. Phone Makers
Ask for More Research into DNA Damage (posted 12/23/04) Two of the
world's top mobile phone makers said more research is needed into the potential
for cell phone radiation to damage DNA, following a laboratory study by 12
European institutes which found harmful effects. Letter
From Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections (posted 12/23/04) With this last Update of the year we want to conclude an exciting 2004. The
energy-world has seen much turbulence and some fundamental changes. New sea
pollution found two years after Prestige disaster (posted 12/23/04) It has been two years since the
Prestige oil tanker carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil sank, polluting the
coasts of Spain, Portugal and France. Currently, the Commission and
Parliament are trying to pass legislation to prevent ships from dumping
pollutants into the sea. Pollution
devastates main Albanian oil field (posted 12/23/04) In the centre of a forest of oil rigs
that ooze petrol, thousands of Albanians have become victims of the pollution
that has devastated the county's main communist-era oil field, Patos-Marinza. OPEC president
sees global oil demand to sharply fall (posted 12/23/04) World oil demand may fall sharply in
the second quarter of 2005 and the OPEC may take action in anticipation of such
a decline, OPEC President Purnomo Yusgiantoro said. OPEC prepares
to approve oil production cut (posted 12/23/04) OPEC oil ministers joined in supporting
a cut in output toward production target levels early next year in a bid by the
organisation’s 11 member states to stave off further falls in the world price
while trying to avoid a new frenzy of buying. Saudi
oil minister says fear factor adds $ 10 to $ 15 to oil price (posted
12/23/04) Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ali Naimi
said that the "fear factor" over supplies has added $ 10 to $ 15 a
barrel to the price of oil and reiterated that his country is working toward
lifting its sustainable oil production capacity. The
untold story of Iraq's economic revival (posted 12/23/04) As President Bush said, this agreement
represents a major international contribution to Iraq's continued political and
economic reconstruction. But there is more to say about the economic successes
in Iraq -- a lot more. Oil-rich
Iraq is running on empty (posted 12/23/04) For weeks now, Iraq has been in the
grip of a worsening energy crisis, an irony not lost on its citizens. Oil
infrastructure sabotage and attacks on fuel convoys, plus a surge in demand
caused by cold weather and more cars on the roads, have been to blame. Iraq’s
oil infrastructure is losing billions due to insurgency (posted
12/23/04) When Saddam Hussein's lieutenant heard
that an oil pipeline had been sabotaged in Qushqia, his order was swift: blow up
the village. Under Saddam, nobody messed with oil. Iraq
to spend $ 1 bn to increase oil output by 15 % in 2005 (posted
12/23/04) Iraq, the fifth-largest oil producer in
the Middle East, will spend more than $ 1 bn next year to increase oil output
capacity by about 15 % to 3.25 mm bpd, an Iraqi official said. Iran
discovered 19 oil and gas fields in past 7 years (posted 12/23/04) over 253,000 km of Iran’s area have
been under study within 16 exploration blocks to identify probable hydrocarbon
reserves. Iran will be
number one producer of petrochemical products by 2025 (posted
12/23/04) Based on projections, supplying needed
global oil during the upcoming 30 years will require investment in oil producing
countries of the Middle East about double the figure realized for 1990s." Oil-rich
Emirates look to renewable energy (posted 12/23/04) A country that produces nearly 2.5 mm
bpd of crude oil has little reason to look anywhere else. However, regard for
the environment and the realisation that fossil fuel reserves may not last
forever have induced authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to consider
renewable energy options. India’s
current oil reserves will last only till 2016 (posted 12/23/04) India has oil reserves to last only
till 2016, if no new discovery is made, India needs to
look for alternate sources for energy security (posted 12/23/04) The Government and industry should play
a pro-active role to find alternate sources of energy to meet the target of
providing electricity to all by 2012 China
ranks No.1 in newly added installed power capacity (posted 12/23/04) China's newly added electricity
installed capacity has reached 51 mm kW, ranking No. 1 in the world. China is
frantic for energy supplies (posted 12/23/04) At first glance, the events are
unconnected. A possible Chinese takeover of a leading Canadian oil company. A
secret submarine in Japanese waters. A border deal in Siberia. Trade pacts with
obscure African nations. Diplomatic efforts to protect rogue states in the
Middle East. China is
flexing its muscle to cut oil deals (posted 12/23/04) About a three-hour drive south of
Shanghai, along the East China Sea, workers are building 52 gigantic tanks, each
capable of holding more than 25 mm gallons of oil -- enough to supply every
driver in China with gasoline for a month. China looks
further away for oil (posted 12/23/04) China will continue to rely on its
offshore areas to meet domestic oil supply for the next five years Africa urged
to use gas in sustainable manner (posted 12/23/04) Exporting to the West was only part of
the solution for Africa's surplus of natural gas, much of which was flared for
lack of a market Mexico to
drill in Gulf before US and Cuba take the oil (posted 12/23/04) President Vicente Fox said that his
country has started deep prospecting operations in the Gulf of Mexico
"before the Cubans or the Americans take our oil." US oil and
natural gas imports to grow sharply (posted 12/23/04) US demand for energy will easily
outstrip domestic supplies over the next two decades, despite a modest increase
in energy production, the Energy Department said in a report. Aging oil
wells pose threat to environment (posted 12/23/04) The petroleum industry and energy
regulators are grappling with a growing problem -- thousands of inactive oil and
gas wells and other oil- and gas-field facilities that have yet to be properly
shut down or abandoned. US activists
keep eye on oil and gas leases in national forest lands (posted
12/23/04) A US federal oil and gas lease auction
will offer companies the chance to bid for drilling rights on roadless tracts in
a popular national forest, conservation groups say. The auction will be run by
the Bureau of Land Management Looming energy
crisis overshadows Bush (posted 12/23/04) When George W. Bush entered the White
House in early 2001, the nation was suffering from a severe "energy
crisis" brought on by high gasoline prices, regional shortages of natural
gas, and rolling blackouts in California...In response, the President promised
to make energy modernization one of his top concerns. However Commission
releases energy report (posted 12/23/04) Attempting to break the political
stalemate on energy policy, a bipartisan national commission called for
incentives to increase energy production, mandatory limits on greenhouse gas
emissions and better gas mileage for cars and trucks. Canada
launches second round of ethanol expansion program (posted 12/23/04) The $ 100 mm Ethanol Expansion Program
was launched in October 2003 under Canada's climate change plan to reduce
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions NPC
calls US strategic oil product reserves “impractical” (posted
12/23/04) The National Petroleum Council, an
influential board of industry experts that advises the US government on energy
matters, said that government stockpiles of refined oil products are impractical
to manage and could create more market uncertainty. How the US is
slowing foreign drills (posted 12/23/04) Who's to blame for the approximately $
2 a gallon most Americans paid for gasoline on their Thanksgiving Day travels? Quote
of the day (posted 12/22/04) OPEC looks at
changing composition of basket to include 11 crudes (posted
12/22/04) OPEC has been studying not only the question of whether it should raise the
target price band for its basket of crudes but also whether it should change the
composition of the basket December
US gas prices inflated thanks to 'euphoria' (posted 12/22/04) Current US natural gas prices should pull back in the coming weeks once Intentional
LNG spill could cause 'major injuries' (posted 12/22/04) A large intentional spill of liquefied natural gas over water could result in Credit Inferno is
Finished (posted 12/22/04) The bloodletting may be over. But the difficulties in the
utility industry are not. After the greatest credit collapse in decades, such
companies have gotten a breather, although their future generally won’t
brighten significantly for another five years. Chinese
Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan meets US secretary of energy (posted
12/22/04) Zeng Peiyan said: China and the United States have broad
common interests and both countries have achieved positive progress in their
constructive cooperative ties over recent years. At present, the Taiwan issue is
the biggest factor affecting the steady development of Sino-US ties. Chiron:
Got Records Request, Not Subpoena (posted 12/22/04) The documents are part of ongoing investigations into contamination problems
at the firm's British vaccine plant wiped out about half the U.S. flu shot
supply for the 2004-2005 season and left U.S. officials scrambling to find other
doses. Amazon Gas
Heralds Changes in Brazil Rain Forest (posted 12/22/04) A tower of
orange flame rises above the Amazon jungle, firing the energy goals of the
Brazilian government. Dutch Pioneer
Corporate Bike to Rival Company Car (posted 12/22/04) In a nation
with more bicycles than people, two Dutch entrepreneurs are selling the concept
of a company bike, as an alternative to the much more expensive company car that
clogs up roads and cities. Oil Price
Surge Threatens Economic Stability and National Security (posted
12/22/04) "The bottom line for consumers, industries, and governments alike is
the urgent need to conserve energy and step up efforts to develop new energy
sources. " Key Energy
Report Scant on Renewables (posted 12/22/04) "What we need today is a sensible energy policy that keeps our
economy rolling without compromising our national security, our health, or the
oceans and landscape that are our national endowment. As the report makes clear,
Congress and the Bush administration have not gotten this job done." Solar PV
Production Increases to Meet 2005 Demand (posted 12/22/04) Demand for solar photovoltaics (PV) are on the rise in the United States and
Europe, and manufacturers are stepping up production to meet whatever 2005 could
bring. Lithuania Eyes
Biofuels Energy Shift (posted 12/22/04) Liquid biofuels are produced from domestic renewable sources of energy and
emit an ecologically friendly profile of combustion gases and are not involved
in the increase of greenhouse gases (CO2). Worldwide
Solar Thermal Capacity Underestimated (posted 12/22/04) The International Energy Agency's Solar Heating and Cooling Program and major
solar thermal trade associations published new statistics on the use of solar
thermal energy. National
Alliance to Promote Renewable Energy Interests (posted 12/22/04) "As its priority, the Alliance will seek to make the production
tax credit permanent, and work to be sure the credit applies to all renewable
energy technologies on an equal basis to conventional power supplies." As
Bush Stands Firm, States Flirt with Europe on Carbon Controls (posted
12/21/04) Two sets of Americans have come here to talk global warming: the United
States, opposed to controls on carbon emissions, and a bloc of united states,
from Maine to Delaware, that plan to impose them. Bush
Administration to Allow Continued Use of Ozone-Depleting Pesticide (posted
12/21/04) The Bush administration announced new rules Thursday to allow U.S. farmers
who grow tomatoes, strawberries and other crops to continue using methyl
bromide, an ozone-depleting pesticide that had been scheduled to be phased out
worldwide next year. CLEAN ENERGY
POWER® 2005 (posted 12/21/04) High energy prices and
limited availability are something that affects each and every person, and
therefore everyone must play a role in the solution. Now’s the time to get
informed about alternative sources of energy… Cleaning up coal (posted
12/21/04) "I think it's a manageable risk," said Rogers. EC
adopts final rules to enable CO2 spot trading (posted 12/21/04) The European Commission has adopted the final part of the emissions trading
directive that sets up the electronic registries system to track ownership of
the emissions allowances Egypt's
Suez Canal Authorities Control Oil Spill (posted 12/21/04) Egypt's
Suez Canal authorities have contained an oil spill in the waterway and stopped
it moving towards Port Said Entergy to
Purchase One Million CO2 Credits Through Blue Source (posted
12/21/04) Entergy is exercising their option to purchase 1 million CO2 emission
reduction credits, representing the largest geologic CO2 sequestration purchase
within the United States. Exelon and
PSEG merger will form largest U.S. electric utility (posted
12/21/04) Exelon and PSEG will merge to form the largest electric utility in the U.S.,
the companies announced today. Global
Municipal Solid Waste to Increase 7% in 2004 (posted 12/21/04) A report from Research Markets in Dublin, Ireland estimates that in 2004, the
total amount of municipal solid waste generated globally will increase 7% over
2003 figures to 1.84 billion tonnes. Law expected
to push clean energy (posted 12/21/04) CHINA China's law on renewable energy may come out in June,
says a senior legislator. Leavitt Signs
Sharp Increase In Unhealthy Pesticide (posted 12/21/04) Leavitt will release regulations today allowing a 2
million pound increase in 2005 in the use of methyl bromide, an ozone-depleting
and cancer-causing farm chemical, in violation of both an international treaty
and the Clean Air Act. The Marginal Price of Oil (posted
12/21/04) Now that we have passed the point where prices could be set by fiat, energy
analysts and politicians are at a loss for words. Mobile Phone
Radiation Harms DNA (posted 12/21/04) Radio waves
from mobile phones harm body cells and damage DNA in laboratory conditions Moves to curb
investment in power plants (posted 12/21/04) CHINA The government will eradicate unapproved power plant
construction projects, by stopping bank loans to unapproved plants, and by
controlling land property usage and rail transportation. New
chief of Pittsburgh-area utility places nearly $600 million bet (posted
12/21/04) chief executive officer that something had to be done about
replacing the aging work force tending Duquesne's power lines. Protest,
praise heard at meeting about proposed San Antonio-area power plant (posted
12/21/04) Dozens of people stepped up late Thursday to alternately praise and blast
plans for City Public Service's proposed new coal-burning plant at Calaveras
Lake. Quote of the
Day (posted 12/21/04) "The results today seem clear. We still run the risks
of cold weather...we don't have as many of inventories as we should." Russia YUKOS
rudderless after mystery firm buys unit (posted 12/21/04) its investors guessing as to its next move on Monday after selling its main
oil production unit to Baikal Finance Group, a mystery firm registered at a
grocery in provincial Russia. Russia's
nuclear energy concern on agenda in 2005 (posted 12/21/04) This requires that nuclear power generate 22-23 per cent of
the country's electricity by 2020. Saudi
Government Approves Kyoto Climate Protocol (posted 12/21/04) Saudi
Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, gave its approval on Monday to the
Kyoto protocol which aims to stem global warming Sharp targets solar (posted
12/21/04) Sharp Corp. plans to expand its solar cell production lines in
Japan, boosting annual production output from 315 megawatts to 400 MW. The Coyote clan (posted
12/21/04) University
of Texas at San Antonio graduate develops wind-powered turbine (posted
12/21/04) bringing electrification to a little village in northern Mexico in a way that
could be a model for off-grid energy use. Waste in a
land of plenty (posted 12/21/04) The US generates the highest amount of waste per person in the world and
continues to rely on landfilling at the expense of recycling and
waste-to-energy, according to the latest in an annual series of national surveys
on municipal solid waste generation and management Waste
incineration and the community (posted 12/21/04) The incineration of municipal waste has been the subject of controversy for
many years and has been widely opposed because of concerns about the pollution
of the air with toxic materials, particularly dioxins. WRI Unveils
New Greenhouse Gas Data and Analysis Tools (posted 12/21/04) The World Resources Institute unveiled an expanded and
more robust set of tools ..The Climate Analysis Indicators Tool WWF Calls for
Risk Assessment (posted 12/21/04) Greater Protections as Bering Sea Disaster
Grows This tragedy highlights the risk of locating one of the
busiest shipping routes in the world in an area rich in wildlife and prone to
extreme weather conditions. Yukos tax
prosecution seen as ploy (posted 12/21/04) The Russian government is using its prosecution of the Yukos
oil giant on tax-evasion charges as a pretext to reassert state control over
Russia's oil sector, which rivals Saudi Arabia in output, analysts say. Yukos
threatens lawsuit over Yuganskneftegas stock sale (posted 12/21/04) Yukos said that it believes the Yuganskneftegas asset is protected Blame high gas costs (posted
12/20/04) It takes about 7000 Btu of natural gas energy to generate a
kilowatt-hour and the cost of natural gas is about ten dollars per million Btu.
Therefore our loss of nerve on hydropower means that we will spend, through our
electric bills, about twenty million dollars per year on imported natural gas. California
approves free-market approach for building new power plants (posted
12/20/04) State regulators approved a free-market approach to
power-plant construction Thursday, enabling independent "merchant"
generators to remain major players in California's energy picture. China's
consumption of electric power to increase 12 percent in 2005 (posted
12/20/04) China's consumption of electric power is forecast of reach about 2,425
billion KWH in 2005 Colorado
approves first new coal-fired power plant in state in 23 years (posted
12/20/04) Under the agreement for the new unit at the Comanche Generating Station in
Pueblo, Xcel Energy must upgrade pollution-control equipment at the two existing
units. Court orders
JNC to give info on candidate sites for nuke waste (posted 12/20/04) In handing down the ruling, Presiding Judge Naofumi Nakamura rejected a claim
by the nuclear energy developer that the disclosure would obstruct the proper
implementation of its operations. EPA to
Designate Tennessee Counties as Polluted (posted 12/20/04) "For the second time this year, EPA is making official
what we all know to be true-Tennessee communities and Great Smoky Mountains
National Park have serious air quality problems," Forest
Industry Gets Greener with EcoLogo Certification (posted 12/20/04) Biomass is a clean, green, carbon-neutral energy source
derived from industrial by-products such as bark, wood shavings and sawdust, and
is Canada's second-largest renewable energy source. Fuel Cell
Center Needs Projects (posted 12/20/04) The Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) in Denver,
Colorado issued a request for proposals for fuel cell projects. Italian
government plans to send nuclear waste abroad for treatment (posted
12/20/04) The Italian government plans to send most of the country's nuclear waste
abroad for treatment and storage, an official was quoted as saying. Japan to
Suspend Operations at Nuclear Plant After Suspected Leakage (posted
12/20/04) Five of the plant's six reactors have already been put out of operation due
to defects and regular inspections Lower house
ratifies Australian nuclear project (posted 12/20/04) Argentina's lower house has ratified a bilateral agreement to complete the
construction of a nuclear power plant in Australia and recycle the waste in
Argentina Maverick US
States Prove Popular at Climate Talks (posted 12/20/04) Not all
Americans are unpopular at this week's UN conference on climate change. Natural
gas costs drive inflation (posted 12/20/04) Inflation
rose 0.2 percent in the Midwest between October and November, the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics reported Friday, due in part to an increase in natural gas
prices. Pennsylvania
Governor Rendell Inks Clean Energy Bill (posted 12/20/04) First Large-scale Solar Electric Facility Built After
Deregulation Serves As Backdrop for Landmark Bill Signing PUC
concludes Sempra utility didn't rig prices (posted 12/20/04) California Public Utilities Commission rejected a finding that one of the
company's utilities had rigged natural gas prices during the state's power
crisis. Russia
may build seven more nuclear plants in Iran at US $10 billion (posted
12/20/04) "We believe that Iran needs such nuclear capabilities for peaceful
application of nuclear technology," Saudi Aramco
says it is on alert as Bin Laden issues new threat (posted 12/20/04) Saudi Aramco said Sunday the kingdom's oilfields, which contain some 25% of
the world's reserves, were safe and the state-owned company was on alert at all
times against possible attack. Saudis
need 30-plus oil, so OPEC cuts will materialize (posted 12/20/04) Saudi Arabia's need for oil prices of well above $30/bbl will ensure that Scant
Progress on Post-Kyoto as Climate Talks End (posted 12/20/04) UN talks
on climate change ended Saturday with few steps forward as the United States,
oil producers and developing giants slammed the brakes on the European Union's
drive for deeper emissions cuts to stop global warming. Security From The Sea (posted
12/20/04) "Whilst the boom in the oil and gas reserves of the North Sea is now
coming to an end, we have discovered a huge new energy resource that has been
there all along, and only waiting for our ability to exploit it. " South Korean
minister defends nuclear waste site plan (posted 12/20/04) Lee stressed that low-and intermediate-level radioactive repositories will
not be used to store highly radioactive by-products SunPower
Expands Solar Cell Plant Capacity (posted 12/20/04) These are good days to be in the business of manufacturing solar
photovoltaics (PV) as demand has exploded, lead primarily by a booming German
market. Sweden to Shut
Down Second Nuclear Reactor (posted 12/20/04) The move is part of Sweden's program to lessen its dependency on nuclear
power over the next 30 to 40 years. TEP
is Ordered to Refund Up to $25K (posted 12/20/04) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday ordered Arizona Public
Service Co. to pay $4 million for violating rules governing power transmission
services in 2002 and 2003.
Twenty US
States Must Cut Air Pollution By 2008 (posted 12/20/04) Most
non-compliant states are clustered around the Midwest, which has the lion's
share of US coal-fired generation US Says China
to Lead Way in Nuclear Energy (posted 12/20/04) Outgoing US
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said on Friday China would emerge a leader in
nuclear energy and called for further cooperation between the two countries in
developing alternative sources of power. White
House Creates Cabinet-Level Ocean Policy Panel (posted 12/20/04) The Bush
administration created on Friday a cabinet-level committee to address rising
pollution and overfishing in US territorial ocean waters. Yuganskneftegaz
shares awarded to unknown Baikal Finance (posted 12/20/04) Baikal's bid, which was around Rb14-bil above the starting price, eventually
turned out to be the only one submitted. Russia's
Putin says nuclear energy must be cost-effective, safe (posted
12/17/04) Russia will produce more electricity. By 2010, two new
generating units will be launched at Russia's power stations and the service
life of the 10 functioning power stations will be extended 2004 Among the
Hottest Years on Record (posted 12/17/04) The year 2004, punctuated by four powerful hurricanes in the Caribbean and
deadly typhoons lashing Asia, was the fourth-hottest on record, extending a
trend since 1990 that has registered the 10 warmest years, a U.N. weather agency
said Wednesday. Active Power
Ships First CleanSource XR Unit (posted 12/17/04) CleanSource XR stores energy in the form of heat and compressed air. When
power is needed, the compressed air is routed through a thermal storage unit to
acquire heat energy. California
governor lauds PUC approval of power procurement plans (posted
12/17/04) California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday lauded the state Public
Utilities Commission's decision approving long-term power procurement plans for
the state's three investor-owned utilities. PA
Gov. Rendell Signs Measure Enacting Clean Energy Portfolio Standard in PA (posted
12/17/04) Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell has signed into law a clean energy
portfolio standard that will cut energy costs, promote economic development and
encourage technologies to protect and restore the environment by ensuring more
electricity generation comes from environmentally beneficial resources. Connecticut
Debuts Clean Energy Communities Program (posted 12/17/04) The program will offer a free solar energy system to municipalities that
commit to purchase clean energy representing 20 percent of their electricity use
by 2010. East Timor
cabinet approves new regime for oil, gas development (posted
12/17/04) With its petroleum regime in place, East Timor is preparing Extreme
Weather Losses Soar to Record High (posted 12/17/04) 15 December - 2004 is set to go down in the history
books as the most expensive year for the insurance industry world-wide as a
result of hurricanes, typhoons and other weather-related natural disasters. NASA
Spacecraft Tracks Global Air Pollution (posted 12/17/04) A NASA spacecraft has begun the first-ever daily tracking of how air
pollution moves across the globe, Quote
of the day (posted 12/17/04) Recapping Cap
and Trade Systems for Greenhouse Gas Emissions (posted 12/17/04) We can argue for years about whether the earth is warming (or cooling) as a
result of industrialization or just going through a natural cycle along some
geologic timeframe that defies our human understanding. Still, the evidence is
mounting that continued reliance on combustion of fossil fuels at an unbridled
pace presents both immediate and long-term hazards to health and economic
wellbeing here in the U.S. and around the world. Scientist Uses
Whey to Protect Food (posted 12/17/04) Oxygen, water, seeping oils -- they're all out to get your food, turning
sweet nuts sour and tasty confections rancid. US court
grants Yukos temporary injunction (posted 12/17/04) A US Bankruptcy Court judge in Houston late Thursday granted Russian Yukos'
request to impose a temporary injunction order blocking the Russian government's
Dec 19 auction of the company's main production subsidiary, Yuganskneftegaz. Manhattan
Scientifics Receives Important Fuel Cell Patent (posted 12/17/04) Smaller than a brick and weighing less than two pounds, the hydrogen-powered
NovArs fuel cell is intended to power a bicycle or a motor scooter for several
hundred miles without having to refuel Great River
Energy Seeks Power Resource Proposals (posted 12/17/04) The RFP seeks two very different types of power resources: baseload and
distributed generation. El Paso
Corporation Closes Sale of Two Power Plants (posted 12/17/04) These sales support El Paso's long-range plan to reduce the company's debt,
net of cash, to approximately $15 billion by year-end 2005. Georgia Power
may face fines for soot emissions (posted 12/17/04) The decision clears the way for three environmental groups to extract fines
or other penalties from the power company. A trial is set March 14. World
Wildlife Fund Report Calls FPL a `Bright Spot' (posted 12/17/04) FPL Group scored the highest ranking in the U.S. and second globally in a
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report that analyzed 72 of the world's leading power
companies reviewing current use of available technologies to reduce C02
emissions, as well as clear commitments made for future improvements. Customers Pay
Off Big Debt to San Diego Gas (posted 12/17/04) San Diego Gas & Electric customers have at last paid off one of the more
infamous debts of the 2000-2001 electricity crisis, the $750 million charge the
utility said it was owed for power purchases during the deregulation debacle. Has Hydro
Quebec Grossly underestimated Gentilly 2 refurbishment costs (posted
12/17/04) "76% of Quebecers support wind energy while only 7%
support nuclear energy Regulators:
TEP broke transmission services rules (posted 12/17/04) Audit finds utility got transmission service not
available to other electricity wholesalers. EU Wants More
Mandatory Emissions Cuts (posted 12/17/04) The
European Union, the heavyweight in the fight against global warming, will push
for mandatory cuts in emissions after the Kyoto protocol expires in 2012 despite
fervent opposition from the United States. Laggard
Countries Wake Up to Tough Kyoto Targets (posted 12/17/04) The Kyoto
protocol to cut greenhouse gases goes into effect two months from Thursday and
industrialized countries like Canada and Japan find themselves with emissions
embarrassingly beyond their agreed targets for 2012. Bendy Solar
Panels Provide Portable Energy Supply (posted 12/17/04) European
scientists have developed light, flexible solar panels that could be sewn on
fabrics and placed on surfaces to charge objects ranging from cell phones and
DVD players to batteries. US
FERC finds APS, TEP violated transmission rules (posted
12/16/04) Two of Arizona's largest investor-owned utilities violated
federal electric transmission rules by providing their merchant power units with
information on the status of the grid and transmission capacity that were not
available to other customers UK government
publishes new planning guidance for renewables (posted 12/16/04) The guidance, issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, is aimed at
helping the UK reach government targets of producing 10% of electricity from
green energy by 2010 and 15% by 2015. FERC
Orders Two Ariz Utilities To Issue Refunds (posted 12/16/04) The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Wednesday found two
utilities in Arizona in violation of the agency's open access transmission rules
meant to prevent market abuse. Coal-plant
case taken directly to high court (posted 12/16/04) Opponents, who object to the use of coal, the most polluting
form of generating electricity, will continue to fight the project 'Clear
skies' keeps cloud over Ohio (posted 12/16/04) THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION VOWED LAST WEEK to begin the New Year
with a "strong push" for a "clean air and clean energy
agenda." This makes sense, though, only if "strong push" means
"sudden halt." Leading
the Way in Renewables, Alliant Energy Makes Another Leap (posted
12/16/04) Already a national leader in utilizing renewable resources in
its energy mix, Alliant Energy Corporation (NYSE: LNT), confirmed plans today it
will add 50 to 100 megawatts (MW) of wind generation by the end of 2005 Pepsi
Cola of Klamath Falls Unveils 172 Kilowatt Solar Electric System for 'Net Zero'
Energy Use (posted 12/16/04) A combination of tax credits, financial incentives, attractive
loan terms -- and the prospect of eliminating all of their electric bills
--attracted Pepsi to solar energy. Empire
District Electric to purchase wind energy from PPM (posted 12/16/04) "A major step in ensuring that our customers benefit from a balanced mix
of generation options." Weather
Warnings Hang Over Tense Climate Talks (posted 12/16/04) Experts
warned on Wednesday that the world is seeing some of its hottest weather and
worst natural disaster damage as environment ministers tried to crack US
resistance to joining international efforts against global warming. With
Few Options Left, Big Oil Pushes Deeper into Gulf of Mexico (posted
12/16/04) Ninety
miles off the swampy coast of Louisiana, a towering maze of pipes and metal juts
out of the sea, reaching down a half-mile -- twice the height of a skyscraper --
to crank out oil. US Plant to
Make Clean Power from Turkey Droppings (posted 12/16/04) It may not
be the total answer to relieving the United States' addiction to foreign oil,
but the plant will burn 90 percent turkey dung and create clean power for 55,000
homes. US Resists
Changing Stance Amid Climate Warnings (posted 12/16/04) Meteorologists
warned on Wednesday that 2004 would be one of the hottest years since records
began as environment ministers tried to crack US resistance to joining
international efforts against global warming. Arctic Ocean
Was Balmy 70 Mln Years Ago (posted 12/16/04) It may be
freezing cold and covered in ice now but 70 million years ago the Arctic Ocean
was as tepid as the Mediterranean. Blair Faces
Test of Bush Friendship on Environment (posted 12/16/04) Blair has
pledged to put climate change at the top of his agenda for the 12 months
starting in January that Britain has the helm of the Group of Eight rich
nations. 2004
Signals More Global Warming (posted 12/16/04) Global
warming is set to continue, and bring with it an increase in extreme weather
such as hurricanes and droughts, scientists from the United Nations' World
Meteorological Organisation warned on Wednesday. Italy Calls To
End Kyoto Climate Limits After 2012 (posted 12/16/04) Italy has
called for an end to the Kyoto Protocol after the environmental treaty's initial
period in 2012, preferring voluntary agreements that would entice the United
States, China and India to tackle climate change. Cuts in Carbon
Dioxide Emissions Urged (posted 12/16/04) The world's chief climate scientist on Tuesday disputed the U.S. government
contention that cutbacks in carbon dioxide emissions are not yet warranted to
check global warming. "The science says you've got to reduce
emissions." California
Seeks to Create More Solar Homes (posted 12/16/04) California could have 1 million buildings producing solar energy by 2018,
with half of all new homes powered by the sun Time
to Reinvent Our Future (posted 12/16/04) Human beings have almost always lived within a worldview in
which everything is interconnected and where we knew we had responsibilities to
act in certain ways to ensure nature's generosity and abundance would continue.
But suddenly in the past century we've become blind to those interconnections
and therefore have lost our sense of responsibility - and now it's putting our
future at risk. Is
it True that Dry Cleaning Is Bad for the Environment? (posted
12/16/04) Studies show that perchloroethylene--the solvent used by the vast majority of
dry cleaning establishments--is both hazardous to human health and injurious to
the environment. Spring Coming
Earlier Than It Used To (posted 12/16/04) In one of the most comprehensive studies that plants in the Northeast are
responding to the global warming trend, Cornell scientists and their colleagues
at the University of Wisconsin found lilacs are blooming about four days earlier
than they did in 1965. Disruption of
Wildlife Populations Forecast in Wildlife Society Report on Global Warming (posted
12/16/04) A warning of possible
major shifts in the ranges and the restructuring of entire plant and animal
communities, and the disappearance of some forest types in the United States New California
Energy Efficiency Standards will Save Consumers Money and Reduce Pollution (posted
12/16/04) The standards will cover new products sold in
California in 24 categories, including consumer electronics, swimming pool pumps
and external power supplies. Australia
proceeding on $75 million ‘Solar Cities’ initiative (posted
12/15/04) Solar Cities will showcase a new energy scenario “where the uptake of solar
power and energy efficiency measures by households and business, and innovative
approaches to energy markets that deliver more effective signals to energy users
can contribute to Australia's sustainable energy future Climate
Change Impact? Look in Your Backyard (posted 12/15/04) To
witness the impact of a warming planet, one need not make a costly trip to the
melting Arctic ice cap. Proof of climate change is right there in most people's
backyards, scientists said on Tuesday. Climate
Experts Confer on Post-Kyoto Steps (posted 12/15/04) International experts, searching for ways to break a deadlock with the United
States over climate change, consulted on an array of ideas Monday to lure that
No. 1 polluter into a joint effort to control "greenhouse gases,"
along with such second-rank emitters as China and India. Commission
Recommends National Energy Policy (posted 12/15/04) Energy security for the United States is an issue that is split between the
need to diversify the country's energy resources and the reality that the
nation's infrastructure is built around fossil fuel consumption. Fenoc target
of federal jury investigation (posted 12/15/04) The letter notifying the company that it was the target of the grand jury
probe also said that prosecutors believe "federal charges will be
returned" against the company by the grand jury. Fuel
Cell Fleet in Chrysler's Reach (posted 12/15/04) California and Michigan can't get enough of their fuel cell cars, apparently.
DaimlerChrysler said it doubled the amount of fuel cell vehicles that it
currently manages in the United States Global
LNG sector poised for accelerated expansion: Moody's (posted
12/15/04) The liquefied natural gas industry is poised to enter a period of accelerated
expansion driven by "steadily increasing" global gas demand, high
market prices and falling units costs of production and delivery Global
lender seeks best ideas for renewables (posted 12/15/04) The World Bank will provide US$3 million for innovative
ideas in the area of renewable energy. Groups want RTD
to drop diesel (posted 12/15/04) The nation's largest supplier of natural gas for
vehicles has launched a campaign to overturn the Regional Transportation
District's recommendation to buy 183 new diesel buses. HIGH WINDS
PLUNGE THOUSANDS INTO DARK (posted 12/15/04) High winds along the Cascade foothills toppled trees and
knocked out power yesterday, leaving thousands of residents in the dark and
sending utility crews scrambling to restore electricity. Cold-weather
prospects drive January NYMEX gas 16.7 cts higher (posted 12/15/04) Prospects for colder weather in the near-term and in longer-term outlooks
Tuesday lifted the January NYMEX gas futures contract for the second day in a
row. Cold
weather in eastern US keeps oil above $41/bbl (posted 12/15/04) The first cold snap of the season in the eastern US boosted heating oil IPE
Brent higher on the "likelihood" of cold weather in the US (posted
12/15/04) Crude oil futures on London's International Petroleum Exchange rose Wednesday
in electronic morning dealing as fears over heating oil shortages remained a
major concern Kyoto
Protocol not enough to fight global warming: IEA (posted 12/15/04) While the Kyoto Protocol is an important step, more efforts are needed to
promote energy efficiency and new technologies to cope with climate change Lead,
Arsenic in Imported Herbal Remedies (posted 12/15/04) More than a
dozen "Ayurvedic" herbal remedies imported from India and Pakistan
were found to contain harmful levels of the heavy metals mercury, lead and
arsenic, US researchers said on Tuesday. National
Security to Lead Renewable Energy Deployment (posted 12/15/04) "We find ourselves dependent on imports from people who, by and
large, are hostile to us. It makes (energy independence) a national security
imperative." NuStart to
file at least one COL application in 2008 (posted 12/15/04) NuStart Energy plans to file at least one combined construction and operating
license (COL) application to NRC in 2008, the nuclear industry consortium told
NRC this week. Opponents
of proposed San Antonio coal-fired power plant have new concern (posted
12/15/04) When opponents of City Public Service's proposed 750-megawatt coal plant meet
with regulators Thursday, it's not only what's in the facility's draft permit
that bothers them. They're also upset about what's not in it. OZONE CLEANUP
STRATEGY IN PLACE (posted 12/15/04) Now, a coalition of 11 counties and 20 cities and towns in the
Piedmont Triad has taken steps to reduce the severity and impact of that
pollution. Reports Say
Japan to Explore Disputed Area of East China Sea (posted 12/15/04) Japan plans to explore natural gas fields in a disputed area of the East
China Sea that rival China has also been surveying, Japanese media said Tuesday,
amid growing tensions between the two countries. Rich
Need To Do More on Environment - World Bank (posted 12/15/04) The World
Bank on Tuesday chastised rich countries for not giving enough to fund global
environmental protection and warned that overall progress in meeting global
environmental targets was "alarmingly slow." U.S.
corporations purchase megawatts of green power (posted 12/15/04) Six companies in the United States have purchased 39 MW of
renewable energy certificates. U.S.
renewables industry wants to commercialize technologies (posted
12/15/04) ACORE wants research budgets to increase by three-fold, to handle support for
a utilization strategy that is similar to Germany and Japan. U.S.
report calls for more support to renewable energies (posted
12/15/04) The U.S. government must increase its support for renewables by US$360
million a year, according to a senior bipartisan group of energy officials. U.S.
utility urges national action on global warming (posted 12/15/04) One of the largest electric utilities in the United States
wants a national program to reduce GHG emissions that is based on renewable
energy. Greenhouse gas emissions are a “likely contributor” to global warming,
Edison International told energy regulators US
EPA says emissions of fine particulates reach new low in 2003 (posted
12/15/04) US levels of particle pollution, a mix of solid particles and liquid
droplets, are continuing to decline and emissions of fine particles, known as PM
2.5, were the lowest in 2003 since nationwide monitoring began in 1999 US
focusing on alternative energy sources after oil hike (posted
12/15/04) Visiting US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has told senior Japanese
officials that the US is more strongly commmitted to the development of
alternative energy resources following this year's spike in oil prices White House to
press its air pollution agenda (posted 12/15/04) "The centerpiece will be 'Clear Skies' legislation and/or
the 'Clean Air Interstate Rule,' " Leavitt added in an interview.
"Both of those will provide a 70 percent reduction of nitrogen oxides and
of sulfur dioxide. It would be a $50 billion investment in clean air; it would
take more tons of pollution out of the air." Yukos files
for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in US court (posted 12/15/04) Yukos said in a statement Wednesday. The company made the filing in the US
Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston, seeking to
prevent the Russian government, the auction bidders and financiers from
participating in planned sale of the company's property Alaska Oil
Spill Crews Seize on Calmer Weather (posted 12/14/04) About 150 people were ready to begin cleaning up an oil spill threatening
endangered animals Sunday, four days after a ship broke apart and six people
died in a helicopter rescue attempt. China looks to
the elements for renewable energy (posted 12/14/04) As the country's fast economic development demands more electricity, and the
world moves towards renewable resources, China is looking at wind as an energy
source. Wind is the fastest growing source of electricity in the world but its
use in China is still low, even though there is actually plenty of it here. DaimlerChrysler,
GM to Team Up on Hybrid Engines (posted 12/14/04) General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG, two of the world's biggest
automakers, are teaming up to develop hybrid technology, which combines
combustion engines and electric motors, for use in their vehicles Developing
Giants Under Pressure on Climate Change (posted 12/14/04) While
developing nations China, Brazil and India grow at break-neck pace with their
burgeoning industry and farming, industrialized countries want them to clean up
the dirty practices that have made them some of the world's biggest polluters. Environmental
Protection Agency Hasn't Won Improvements It
Touted (posted 12/14/04) The federal government has quietly allowed oil refineries nationwide to miss
court-mandated deadlines to reduce air emissions, prolonging the exposure of
hundreds of thousands of people to dangerous pollutants. Global
emissions-cutting accord will hit APEC economies (posted 12/14/04) A new report by an Australian research institute predicts that the economies
of the so-called APEC countries of the Pacific Rim will be hit hardest by the
Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Here's
how Schwarzenegger intends changing energy in Calif (posted
12/14/04) In his own words,
appearing in early October in the San Diego Union Tribune Gov Arnold
Schwarzenegger wrote Impact
of Greenhouses Gases Discussed at U.N. Global Warming Summit (posted
12/14/04) A new report on ecological damage from greenhouse gases dominated the
sidelines of a U.N. conference on global warming Saturday as delegates from
nearly 200 nations assembled to prepare for the launch next year of the Kyoto
Protocol. New York may
get millions more energy shoppers (posted 12/14/04) A proposed
settlement of Consolidated Edison's distribution rate case includes changes in
retail access rules that could make another 1 million to 3 million customers in
New York economic for marketers to serve. Nuclear plants
in New England say they deserve credit for 'green' energy (posted
12/14/04) As the nuclear power industry stages a nationwide comeback, New England is
emerging as a major battleground in the industry's campaign to be recognized as
a "green" energy source. OPEC
may cut output ceiling at Jan 30 meet (posted 12/14/04) "We may decide to decrease the ceiling at that time," he told a
news conference in Dubai. He noted that OPEC had already decided at talks last
Friday in Cairo to remove excess production of 1-mil b/d above the official
ceiling President
Bush to Make 'Aggressive Push' to Cut Air Pollution (posted
12/14/04) President Bush will make air pollution a top priority in Congress early next
year, starting with "an aggressive push" to build support for his
pollution-cutting plan, senior administration officials said Saturday. Salem units to
return after closing due to oil spill (posted 12/14/04) The units use the river for cooling water. The U.S. Coast Guard said today
that the cleanup effort continues. Oil impacted about 126 miles of shoreline,
and 70 miles of that shoreline has patches of a very light sheen of oil Some Kids May
Have Autism Risk From Mercury (posted 12/14/04) Some
children may have an inherited weakness that may predispose them to develop
autism when exposed to mercury from fish or other sources US
power sector, DOE sign accord to cut GHG emission intensity (posted
12/14/04) Officials with the US power sector and the Department of Energy Monday signed
an agreement designed to lead to voluntary reductions in greenhouse gas emission
intensity over the next 10 years. US senator
seeks continued agency support for OCS leasing bans (posted
12/14/04) US Sen Bill Nelson (Democrat-Florida) Friday asked Interior Secretary Gail
Norton to continue to support existing moratoria on oil and natural gas leasing
off Florida's coasts and those of other states as the agency prepares its
2007-2012 Outer Continental Shelf leasing plan. 'After
Kyoto' Takes Centre Stage at Climate Talks (posted 12/13/04) The Kyoto
agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions doesn't take effect for two months,
but climate change negotiators are already fixated on what happens when it
expires in 2012. China Pledges
Clean Drinking Water for All Rural Residents by 2020 (posted
12/13/04) All rural residents in the People's Republic of China will have access to
clean drinking water by 2020 under a new plan announced recently by the central
government's Water Resources Ministry Coal Stays On
The Front Burner (posted 12/13/04) Ron Wood, President of Black & Veatch Energy Engineering and Construction
Division, believes government should prohibit the use of natural gas for uses
such as electricity generation. Commission
Recommends National Energy Policy (posted 12/13/04) Energy security for the United States is an issue that is split between the
need to diversify the country's energy resources and the reality that the
nation's infrastructure is built around fossil fuel consumption. Drinking Water
Could be Beneficial to Patients with Low Blood Pressure (posted
12/13/04) drinking two glasses of water can raise blood pressure, potentially providing
a solution for patients with low blood pressure while standing Electric
Utilities Take Steps to Create Energy Authority for Western States (posted
12/13/04) A better air traffic controller is needed to deliver electricity in the West,
and that calls for a massive restructuring of the existing system, proponents of
a sweeping plan said Thursday. Environmental
Case for Coal and Nuclear (posted 12/13/04) Russia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and Tony Blair's decision to keep
Kyoto on the agenda of his recent Washington visit following the re-election of
George Bush have ensured the environment remains at the head of global politics. EPA
to Reverse Sewage Standard, Allow Massive Dumping (posted 12/13/04) Millions of Americans will face an increased threat of
bacteria, viruses and parasites in their water thanks to a new federal policy
allowing sewer operators to dump inadequately treated sewage into the nation's
waterways. Fuel Cells
Will Be Viable As Adoption Curve Emerges (posted 12/13/04) The technology may one day transform the industry, but so far hype has
outpaced reality. Costs must decrease and product life increase to achieve
market adoption on a mass scale. Early adopters are few and far between.
Research is mounting in different directions. Goodbye,
Yucca; Hello, Utah? (posted 12/13/04) Delays in opening a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain are forcing
atomic energy producers to consider interim storage sites Government
Relying on Industry to Protect Water Supplies (posted 12/13/04) The Environmental Protection Agency issued new voluntary guidelines Thursday
that rely on industry to secure drinking water and wastewater treatment plants
against attack. Green Energy
Resources Establishes International Commodity Standards for Fuel Grade Woodchips (posted
12/13/04) The specifications include size, shape, moisture content and other relevant
data for the Renewable Energy industry. homeowners
in 'Zero Energy Homes' cheer low utility bills (posted 12/13/04) Micah Van Der Kamp of Sacramento looks forward to his monthly electric bill. Infrastructure
Security Guidelines Issued to Water Utilities (posted 12/13/04) The interim voluntary guidance documents provide drinking water, wastewater
and stormwater utilities with practical assistance for implementing improved
security measures in new and existing facilities of all sizes Nobel Winner
Maathai Sounds Alarm Over Planet (posted 12/13/04) "Today
we are faced with a challenge that calls for a shift in our thinking, so that
humanity stops threatening its life-support system," Nukes Can Cut
Global Warming (posted 12/13/04) Nuclear power now has powerful advocates around the world, who see it as a
significant energy source available to avoid environmental catastrophe. Offshore
Renewable Energy Development (posted 12/13/04) "Although a number of successful devices have been installed at
shoreline locations, the true potential of wave energy will only be realized in
the offshore environment where large developments are conceivable. Mexican
Ecologists Protest U.S. Gas Plant on Coast (posted 12/13/04) In a classic spat between big business and environmentalists, major oil
companies and Mexico's government say LNG could be the solution to North
America's power shortage. Oil
in surplus this year-end compared with usual deficit (posted
12/13/04) The world oil market has surplus of around 1-mil b/d this year-end compared
with a deficit of 600,000 b/d seen in the same period in previous years hence
OPEC decided to cut output Panel:
Spend Billions on Energy Research, Projects (posted 12/13/04) U.S. energy policy over the long term will require new nuclear power plants,
cleaner coal and cars that get more miles per gallon, experts said Wednesday. Prices may
keep on climbing in 2005 (posted 12/13/04) Coal buyers and sellers can expect to see more
volatility in the market and higher prices in 2005, coupled with lingering
uncertainty about emissions requirements President Bush
nominates Sam Bodman to Energy Secretary (posted 12/13/04) President Bush Friday morning announced the nomination of Samuel Bodman to
the post of Secretary of Energy to replace outgoing Secretary Spencer Abraham.
Bodman, an engineer with experience at venture capital and energy companies Remarks by
President Bush and Secretary of Energy Nominee Sam Bodman (posted
12/13/04) a transcript of remarks made by President Bush and Secretary
of Energy Nominee Sam Bodman New US Energy
Chief Likely to Keep Low Profile (posted 12/13/04) The
unexpected choice of a low-profile Treasury Department official to be the new US
energy secretary signals that the Bush administration wants an experienced
administrator to run the department, leaving policymaking to the White House Sandia to
Begin Testing Innovative Arsenic Removal Technologies (posted
12/13/04) Sandia National Laboratories will begin testing innovative ways to treat
arsenic-contaminated water in an effort to reduce costs to municipalities of
meeting the new arsenic standard issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). Shell
Solar provides new turn-key design for a large-scale solar electric system (posted
12/13/04) Shell Solar engineers have designed an innovative, patent-pending
"Single Axis Tracking System" for nearly one megawatt of solar panels.
This system will generate more power, as the tracker "follows the
sun", rather than being installed at a fixed angle. Shell,
Niger Delta community reach truce (posted 12/13/04) Shell Nigeria Monday said it had resolved a dispute between it and a local
community that had shut two of the company's flowstations in the Rivers State,
in the Niger Delta. Solar electric
system reduces cost of fuel (posted 12/13/04) that "solar panel systems are still too expensive for
home or business owners to find the technology practical." I don't agree. Study Shows
Big Untapped De Residential Market (posted 12/13/04) Distributed energy (DE) is making inroads into residential markets in North
America and beyond. This may come as a surprise to many, as the market for
on-site power generation has long been focused on the commercial and industrial
sectors. The
Hydrogen Economy An Objective Look Part 1 (posted 12/13/04) "The hydrogen economy" encapsulates a vision of hydrogen as a
superior successor to fossil fuels for serving the world’s energy needs. That
vision has attracted both passionate advocates and passionate detractors. Both
sometimes overstate their cases. This article attempts to sort out the key
issues. The
Hydrogen Economy: An Objective Look -- Part 2 (posted 12/13/04) hydrogen is likely to have an increasing role to play in the future economy,
regardless of how it fares as a transport fuel. Three
Mile Island lowers power after leak (posted 12/13/04) A non-radioactive steam leak in Three Mile Island's Unit 1 Thursday afternoon
has forced the plant to reduce power. Toyota Aims to
Commercialize Biofuels (posted 12/13/04) Aiming for the commercialization of a new type of eco-friendly and recyclable
fuel, Toyota Tsusho and the Hokkaido prefectural government will carry out this
project as a national project Transmission
is Half of Wind Energy for New Mexico (posted 12/13/04) "I believe that wind power can break through the 'glass ceiling' and
become a huge part of our electricity supply." Governor,
Take Your Time on Power-Export Scheme (posted 12/13/04) we're wary of Gov. Bill Richardson's proposal that we export the energy we
will produce here. VA.
Power to Waive Charge in 2005 (posted 12/13/04) A special charge that many say has hampered competition in Dominion Virginia
Power's service territory will disappear, at least for 2005. W.Va
wind energy project hits snags (posted 12/13/04) After a tumultuous meeting Tuesday at which county residents protested a
November deal under which county commissioners could obtain power line easements
by eminent domain, commissioners agreed to cancel their contract with Liberty
Gap Wind Force LLC. Waste Issue
Dominates Nuclear Scene (posted 12/13/04) National Laboratories and private industry continue to develop new and
improved nuclear technologies; politicians continue to argue over support for
new commercial nuclear plants; and industry groups discuss how to get the next
nuclear project underway. But because of the legal wrangling that always
accompanies the issue, only nuclear waste activities have much public
visibility. Water Treatment
Outsourcing (posted 12/13/04) We have found that outsourcing water treatment for the power and other
industries, while possibly providing short-term solutions, is debilitating to
the utility organization in the long term. Weather Stalls
Attempts to Contain Alaska Spill (posted 12/13/04) About 150
people have been sent to an Aleutian island to try to clean up fuel oil
streaming from a wrecked cargo ship, but harsh weather has kept most from the
spill site WorldWater Unveils
World (posted 12/13/04) WorldWater & Power Corp., maker of solar energy systems, today unveiled
the world's largest solar-powered irrigation pumping system during a
commissioning ceremony at Seley Ranches, Borrego Springs, CA. Amazon Burning
Makes Brazil a Leading Polluter (posted 12/10/04) Burning of the Amazon and other forests accounts for three quarters of
Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions and has made the country one of the world's
leading polluters, a long-delayed government report showed Wednesday. Broin
Announces New Ethanol Process (posted 12/10/04) The Broin Companies have announced a new patent-pending technology for
ethanol production that eliminates a costly energy-consuming cooking step in the
process. Bush’s other oil
war (posted 12/10/04) The largest refinery in the country was
established here in the "Petroleum Capital" of Colombia, which is now
one of the most militarised cities in the country. It is also one of the most
violent, since oil exploration also brought pollution, conflict, paramilitary
violence and most recently Canadians
think oil and gas industry is biggest polluter (posted 12/10/04) Canadians believe the oil and gas
industry is causing the greatest damage to the country's environment, pulling
slightly ahead of other resource sector industries such as coal, forestry and
mining, a newly released government poll shows. Chevron Energy
Solutions Launches Energy Conservation (posted 12/10/04) has begun construction on an energy conservation project that will save
Washtenaw County taxpayers more than $215,000 a year in energy, maintenance and
operational costs. China expects
energy use to double by 2020 (posted 12/10/04) China plans to double its energy
consumption as its economy quadruples by 2020 Codey puts
moratorium on windmills along Shore (posted 12/10/04) Acting Governor Codey is putting the brakes on proposals for
windmills along the Jersey Shore, promising a moratorium to allow more time to
study the effects on the environment and tourism. Colorado
Governor's Office of Energy Management and Conservation Seeks Proposals for Fuel
Cell Initiative (posted 12/10/04) announced a solicitation for proposals from organizations with expertise in
the emerging fuel cell industry to take the lead in fulfilling the State's goal
to expand fuel cell related research, development, education and commercial
application in Colorado. Duke Power to
Voluntarily Install Emission Controls at Lee Steam Station (posted
12/10/04) When the new projects are completed by mid-2006, we will have
reduced nitrogen oxide emissions at Lee Steam Station by 60 percent since
1997." Energy
Bill Update: Commission Tries to Bridge Policy Differences (posted
12/10/04) A cohesive national energy policy remains elusive but a
bipartisan group hopes that its ideas will be implemented. Energy
expert believes US doesn't need foreign oil (posted 12/10/04) The United States can end its
dependence on foreign oil and make money along the way EPRI Issues
Status Report on Broadband Over Powerline (posted 12/10/04) Market success will depend
on delivery of benefits beyond consumer Internet services, study indicates EU interested
in close energy cooperation with Caspian states and neighbours (posted
12/10/04) The Ministerial Conference on Energy
Cooperation between UE, the Caspian Region -- Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan and
Russia -- and their neighbouring countries -- Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia,
Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Armenia -- was held on 13 November in Baku. Expert: Coal
prices inflated (posted 12/10/04) Coal prices inflated News Forms Services Regional Lee Newspapers Great Falls,
Mont. Markets Symbol(s) News Source Links to the source information used by our
reporters in the writing of news stories. Extra capacity
will harm OPEC (posted 12/10/04) Oil producing countries in OPEC and
outside OPEC are embarking on fresh efforts to increase their oil production
capacity to the maximum levels. Future
of proposed Grid West RTO at issue in regional discussions (posted
12/10/04) With Northwest stakeholders preparing to vote later Thursday on whether RTO
West should evolve into Grid West Group to file
license request for new US nuclear plant in 2008 (posted 12/10/04) A consortium of nine nuclear utilities and two reactor vendors plans to file Groups Say
Government Plans Oil and Gas Lease Auction for National Forest Tracts (posted
12/10/04) A federal oil and gas lease auction planned for Friday will offer companies
the chance to bid for drilling rights on roadless tracts in a popular national
forest, conservation groups say. Heidar
Aliyev's oil strategy makes Azerbaijan grow stronger (posted
12/10/04) Due to successful implementation of
Heidar Aliyev's oil strategy, Azerbaijan becomes stronger from year to year,
improves welfare of its people and occupies a firmer place in the international
arena. How secure is Saudi
oil? (posted 12/10/04) Though oil prices have retreated from
their record highs of October, a terrorist attack on oil installations in Saudi
Arabia could send them soaring to new heights IEA
Summary: Concern over falling oil prices 'overstated' (posted
12/10/04) Despite signs that China's oil demand growth continues to cool and stocks are
building, oil-producing countries' concerns about falling prices are
over-stated, as high prices, capacity constraints and strong demand growth all
remain in place for the time being, the International Energy Agency said Friday. Iran's
alliance with China could cost US leverage (posted 12/10/04) A major new alliance is emerging
between Iran and China that threatens to undermine US ability to pressure Tehran
on its nuclear program, support for extremist groups and refusal to back
Arab-Israeli peace efforts. ISO
New England expects adequate power supply for winter demand (posted
12/10/04) The ISO New England Thursday said the region's power supply should be
adequate to meet projected electricity use this winter. Korea,
Japan and China push for joint oil purchase (posted 12/10/04) Moon Chung-in, chairman of the
Committee on Northeast Asian Cooperative Initiative was quoted as saying that
Korea, Japan and China were getting closer to striking a deal that would allow
them to make joint purchases of crude oil by the three countries that rely on
overseas natural resources. MTEM raises
record funding for oil revolutionary technology (posted 12/10/04) Edinburgh University spin-out MTEM has
raised a record £ 7.4 mm of funding to commercialise a technology that it
believes could revolutionise the oil industry. New Zealand
scientists see way to replace oil (posted 12/10/04) New Zealand scientists have found a
breakthrough method of purifying hydrogen, using iron sands, which may help the
world to develop a clean-burning replacement for oil. Nigeria and
Swiss banks fund crude oil theft (posted 12/10/04) More disturbing revelations are
emerging at the on-going probe of the missing MT African Pride by the House of
Representatives. Besides security agencies, local and foreign banks have been
fingered in the nefarious activities of bunkering ships. NUCLEAR SITE GETS
INITIAL NOD (posted 12/10/04) Federal regulators have reached a preliminary conclusion that
there are no environmental reasons to prevent an early site permit for the North
Anna nuclear power station. Ohio in race
to develop fuel cell technology (posted 12/10/04) The technology is so promising for the future that nearly every state wants
to be a part of it. Oil
pollution is killing once-rich bird population (posted 12/10/04) Heart wrenching images of birds
struggling to free themselves from oil has become more common in Atlantic
Canada, where environmentalists say illegal oil dumping is killing hundreds of
thousands of birds. Oil
products dominate Africa's exports to US (posted 12/10/04) A report by the US Department of
Commerce reveal that petroleum products accounted for 80 % of all the AGOA
exports. Oil:
What's Russia really sitting on? (posted 12/10/04) With oil still hovering near $ 50 a
barrel, the last thing people want to hear is that there's even less of the
stuff out there than previously thought. Oil unites China
and Taiwan (posted 12/10/04) Despite one of the most strained
cross-strait relations for more than half a century, China and Taiwan have been
increasingly trading in refined petroleum products recently. OPEC
agrees cut in physical supply, no ceiling change: delegate (posted
12/10/04) OPEC ministers meeting in Cairo have agreed to rein in some 1-mil b/d of
crude supply and bring production back in line with their self-imposed
ten-member output ceiling of 27-mil b/d OPEC
ministers agree to rein in 1-mil b/d oil oversupply (posted
12/10/04) The decision is expected to remove around 1-mil b/d of excess production
above quota levels from world markets, he said. Worried by the sharp fall in
world oil prices in recent weeks OPEC believes
dollar is the best (posted 12/10/04) OPEC president Purnomo Yusgiantoro said
the cartel won't adopt the euro to replace the dollar as the currency for oil
sales, explaining that countries which are OPEC members have different markets. Pa.'s cleaner
energy plan (posted 12/10/04) The Alternative Energy Bill requires utilities to get 18
percent of their electricity from alternative energy sources by 2020. Utilities
must get 8 percent of their electricity from so-called "Tier One"
sources that include wind, solar and biomass. PGE
Announces Its Largest-Ever Renewable Wind Power Purchase (posted
12/10/04) "We are pleased to be delivering more renewable energy to our
customers at an affordable price and we trust PPM Energy's record as a reliable
and responsible power supplier, Pilot project
to collect edible oil for biodiesel (posted 12/10/04) A pilot project to collect used edible
oil from households, which will in turn be transformed into biodiesel, is
expected to start in January, Environment Minister George Pullicino said.
Speaking at Edible Oil Refining Company, in Marsa, Malta -- the company which is
already collecting oil from catering establishments, as well as lards and animal
remains from the abattoir and transforming them into biodiesel Potential for
Wind Power Said Great in Plains States (posted 12/10/04) A California businessman said Monday that the Dakotas and Nebraska could
become highly profitable havens for the largest wind farms in the nation over
the next decade or two. Preparing for
Continuity (posted 12/10/04) With another winter upon us, it's a good time to America's utilities to plan
ahead for summer. As we all know, the "dog days" of summer are
anything but for utilities; with power consumption soaring to new heights in
lockstep with the thermometer, the nation’s aging power grid is often pushed
beyond its limits. Russia and
Venezuela to pool resources in oil exploration (posted 12/10/04) "Russia and Venezuela have
excellent and extensive resources and serious experience and may be regarded as
leading world oil exporters," Putin said. Russia boosts oil
production (posted 12/10/04) As of November 25, 2004, oil and gas
condensate production grew 9 %, or 34.9 mm tons, in Russia. Oil exports amounted
to 163.9 mm tons, which is an 18.1-% annual increase. Saudi Arabia
is finding a new friend in Asia (posted 12/10/04) Saudi Arabia is looking for new friends
and finding them -- in Asia. The oil-rich kingdom feels spurned and disliked by
its traditional close allies in the West; ties have never been quite as warm
since Sept. 11, 2001. Solar energy
changes life of Tibetans (posted 12/10/04) Inspired by science and technology,
Tibetans, who have long adored the sun as a god, are now putting their deity to
work. South Korea
becomes more self-sufficient in oil (posted
12/10/04) South Korea is becoming increasingly
self-sufficient in oil as local firms become more involved in overseas oil
development projects, Southwest
Gas Proposes General Rate Increase (posted 12/10/04) Southwest Gas Corporation (NYSE: SWX) has filed a request
with the Arizona Corporation Commission (Commission) to increase its authorized
operating revenues by $70.8 million. Study:
Return of Wolves Changes Ecosystem (posted 12/10/04) a growing body of evidence suggests that killing off predators such as wolves
and grizzly bears in the last century started a cascade of effects that threw
ecosystems out of balance. Switzerland
imports power Oct 03-Sep 04 as hydro output falls (posted
12/10/04) Switzerland failed to live up to its traditional role as a net exporter of
electricity in the hydro year The
dragon in Central Asia: The hunt for friends, and oil (posted
12/10/04) In just over a decade, China -- with
its booming economy and growing political clout -- has become a major player in
the region. The
Energy Challenge 2004 - Other Renewables and Demand (posted
12/10/04) In addition to wind and solar, there are some other renewable resources that
will make an energy contribution during this century, but they are vastly
outweighed by the potential for demand reduction through efficiency and
conservation. US
dependence on Saudi oil: Political rhetoric and hard facts (posted
12/10/04) First of all, let's get one thing
straight. Saudi Arabia doesn't "produce" oil", it extracts it.
Any country's "oil production" is really its oil extraction. That one
phrase alone -- "produce oil" -- has created real havoc in world
political and economic circles. US refiners get
rid of sour oil (posted 12/10/04) In a year that has seen oil prices
reach record highs, it may seem odd that producers have been offering discounts
to get rid of the stuff. But that has been happening with crude oil known as
"heavy sour," which is different from the "light sweet
crude" whose per-barrel price is most often quoted as the price of oil. Wind
energy has pluses -- and minuses (posted 12/10/04) On the one hand, we clearly need to
develop clean, sustainable and home-grown sources of energy if we are to solve
our environmental problems and achieve independence from foreign sources. On the
other hand... Beacon Power
Tests Solar Energy Storage (posted 12/09/04) A new project in New York will put their energy storage systems to the test
as a solution to power grid blackouts. Canadians
willing to pay more for green power (posted 12/09/04) A national poll suggests that 87% of Canadian voters support green power as a
source of electricity. Dairy Methane
Used in Fuel Cell Trials (posted 12/09/04) "Powerco recognizes that this technology shows the potential of
distributed generation around the world - electricity generated at the point of
use rather than through centralized systems and extensive transmission
networks." Emerging
renewables to provide 1% of global energy by 2030, says ExxonMobil (posted
12/09/04) The growth in wind and solar will be 10% “mainly because of subsidies and
related mandates,” predicts one of the largest oil companies in the world. Evergreen
Solar Pushes the Micron Barrier (posted 12/09/04) "...(the company) has demonstrated in its pilot operations that it
can manufacture wafers using one third of the silicon required by conventional
methods." Final report
urges greater use of renewables (posted 12/09/04) Wisconsin should increase its reliance on renewables to 10% within the next
decade, according to a task force created by the state governor. Flying the
Friendly Fuel Cell Skies (posted 12/09/04) United Nations (UN) Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous
Goods to allow the transport of methanol cartridges for fuel cells on board
passenger aircraft. Green
power customers increase 23% in U.S. (posted 12/09/04) The United States had 6,813 net-metered electric customers last year, up 23%
from 4,472 in 2002. Harness
Winds of Change; New Lines Planned to Carry Clean Power (posted
12/09/04) Southern California Edison is proposing to run new 500,000-volt lines between
west Lancaster, Valencia, Acton and Tehachapi to serve a huge expansion of
Antelope Valley wind-energy farms. Industry aims
to build new nuclear plants earlier (posted 12/09/04) The future looks promising for the construction of the next generation of
nuclear power plants Japan retains
global lead in solar PV capacity (posted 12/09/04) Japan remains the leading country in the world for solar PV, both in terms of
new installations and per-capita capacity. More Federal
Money Needed for Energy Security (posted 12/09/04) Future energy security will require development of new nuclear power plants,
coal that is less polluting and tougher federal requirements on automobile fuel
economy, a nonpartisan panel of energy experts says. New Mexico
pushes wind power development (posted 12/09/04) New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson wants to develop more wind power in his state
and market it to other states in the West. Nuclear
plant shut down after small steam leak in Jenkinsville, S.C. (posted
12/09/04) Scana Corp. shut down its nuclear power plant in the Midlands Monday,
immediately after discovering a small steam leak. Nuclear Waste
Initiative Targeted (posted 12/09/04) The Bush administration is challenging Initiative 297, a ban on additional
nuclear waste imports to Hanford that was approved by 69 percent of Washington
state voters on Nov. 2. Only
one utility relies on renewables, says WWF report (posted
12/09/04) Only one of the major electric utilities in the world is
using renewable energy to address the threat of climate change. Ontario
Establishes Renewable Fuels Requirement (posted 12/09/04) "With this announcement, all of Ontario can ride renewable." OPEC
ministers support curbing excess supply, see quota cut ahead (posted
12/09/04) OPEC ministers arriving in Cairo Thursday a day ahead of the group's formal
conference gave near-unanimous support to a move to rein in excess production
above nominal output quotas in response to the recent fall in oil prices. OPEC output
needs to stay at current level (posted 12/09/04) OPEC should not move to curb output levels at its meeting Friday in Cairo,
the head of the US Department of Energy's statistical division said Thursday.
"I think given where inventories are, OPEC production needs to stay where
it is. PA
Governor Rendell Signs Measure Mandating Clean-Energy Portfolio Standard (posted
12/09/04) Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed into law a clean-energy
portfolio standard that will cut energy costs, promote economic development and
encourage technologies to protect and restore the environment by ensuring more
electricity generation comes from environmentally beneficial resources. Putting the
Pieces Back Together (posted 12/09/04) Scientists think that our species, Homo sapiens, emerged about 100,000 years
ago somewhere in Africa. Red Tide Algae
Lurks in Gulf Coast (posted 12/09/04) "It looks almost the size of a small state. It really is a large area of
bloom," "I'd have to say that this is the largest red tide bloom that
I have ever seen." San Francisco
has potential to capture lead in renewables (posted 12/09/04) The west coast city of San Francisco is “uniquely positioned” to capture
one of the fastest-growing investment categories in North America – the clean
energy sector. US
EIA sees 1.8% average annual increase in US power use to 2025 (posted
12/09/04) Total US electricity consumption, including both purchases from power U.S.
Wind Farming, Inc. Executes Options to Acquire New Energy and Environmental
Technologies (posted 12/09/04) USWF has executed options to acquire several new recently developed
technologies relating to the energy and environmental industry. Washington
Utility Moves on New Wind Project (posted 12/09/04) Puget Sound Energy announced its second wind power project in Washington
State, bringing the utility's proposed ownership of wind energy to nearly 400 MW Wind
group estimates that turbines kill 3.1 birds per MW capacity (posted
12/09/04) Each wind turbine in the United States is responsible for killing 2.3 birds
per year, according to a national industry group set up to monitor avian
fatalities. Killer
heatwave due to emissions (posted 12/08/04) The record-breaking European heatwave in the summer of 2003, which was linked
to almost thirty thousand deaths around the continent, was mostly down to
greenhouse gas emissions from human activity EU steps up
pressure in Argentina (posted 12/08/04) The meeting has brought together ministers and
senior representatives from almost 200 countries, and is primarily looking at
the successful implementation of Kyoto, along with ways to support developing
countries in dealing with the effects of climate change. Energy
companies failing on renewables (posted 12/08/04) A new report by conservation group WWF claims
that power companies around the world are not putting enough investment into
renewable and clean energy sources in order to reduce their environmental
impact. Beckett
outlines climate change threat (posted 12/08/04) Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett has spoken of
the dangers of ‘unchecked’ climate change, at a conference this week.
Coastal erosion, rising temperatures and extreme weather conditions were all
outlined as likely outcomes of the global problem. Panel
issues US energy plan pushing production, conservation (posted
12/08/04) A bipartisan group of US energy experts Wednesday released a broad energy
strategy aimed at ending what the group's chairman described as the
"political and regional polarization" that has prevented the US from
"adopting sensible approaches" to the country's biggest energy
problems. GE executive
says US policy discourages renewable energy industry (posted
12/08/04) Steven Zwolinski said US policy breeds instability for renewable energy UK set to miss
own target of 20% CO2 cuts by 2010: Beckett (posted 12/08/04) The UK government is set to miss its own target of cutting carbon dioxide
emissions by 20% below 1990 levels by 2010, it said Wednesday. "We will
not, on the basis of current policies alone, achieve our ambitious 2010 domestic
goal of a 20% cut in carbon dioxide emissions," Margaret Beckett, the
environment secretary, said Wednesday. US government
unable to assess reliability of power grid (posted 12/08/04) Changes in the US power industry have outpaced the federal government's
ability to verify that existing and planned transmission capability is adequate
"to keep the lights on," the US Energy Information Administration said
in a report Tuesday. High gas
inventories prompt US EIA to cut price projections (posted 12/08/04) Pointing to "continued high natural gas inventories," the US Energy 'Greens'
sue Corps for avoiding ruling that blocked NWP 21 (posted 12/08/04) "The Corps has allowed (the coal industry) to obliterate hundreds of
miles of Appalachian waterways, and apparently, a court order wasn't enough to
stop them." British
Gas launches eco-friendly tariff (posted 12/08/04) BRITISH GAS will today become the first power company to link energy
efficiency directly to customer bills with an offer to freeze prices for three
years for households that sign up to a new environmentally-friendly tariff. Utility's
cooperation makes good sense (posted 12/08/04) Cinergy is wise to participate in fashioning greenhouse gas regulations
instead of fighting them. Green utility
lowers its rates to match giant Texas competitor (posted 12/08/04) Until now, consumers who wanted the company's pollution-free power plans had
to pay several dollars more a month over TXU, the area's incumbent provider. Search
is on for flaws deep in the heart of Surry, Va., nuclear reactor (posted
12/08/04) Deep inside the water-filled nuclear reactor, a robotic inspector poked its
sensor-tipped arm into a pipe to scan for cracks thinner than a human hair. Duke
nuclear unit returning to service (posted 12/08/04) Duke Energy
Corp.'s Catawba 1 nuclear unit outside Rock Hill has begun to return to service
after the plant shut down unexpectedly Sunday. Proposals
renew debate over Calif's electricity future (posted 12/08/04) Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger met with top energy aides late last week and is
expected to make public soon a detailed version of the pro-deregulation plan he
laid out during the recall campaign. Congress Acts
to Preserve Money for Environmental Farming (posted 12/08/04) The House voted Monday to protect aid to farmers who convert to
environmentally sound practices. 'Hero
of the Planet' Engineer Puts 'Green' Mark (posted 12/08/04) McDonough is turning the high-flown ideal into reality. He has overseen the
design of everything from biodegradable carpets to green buildings and from Nike
shoe recipes to, now, whole cities in China. Japanese
Automakers Continue to Produce Greenest Vehicles (posted 12/08/04) Japanese manufacturers continue to make the cleanest-burning vehicles, but
automakers are generally doing a poor job in lowering emissions that contribute
to global warming North
Carolina 'Tinkerer' Recycles Automotive Antifreeze (posted 12/08/04) Millions of gallons of antifreeze drained from car radiators and industrial
cooling systems are considered hazardous waste and can't legally be poured into
sewers or the environment. Protests Cut
Deeper Into Nigerian Oil Output (posted 12/08/04) Protests at
three Nigerian oil platforms cut deeper into output from the world's eighth
largest exporter on Tuesday US Automakers
Challenge California Emission Rules (posted 12/08/04) The suit
challenges California's legal authority to regulate motor vehicle fuel economy,
the industry group said. Pipe Damage
Blamed For Slow Return Of US Gulf Oil (posted 12/08/04) Extensive
pipeline damage triggered by mudslides and the pounding from a 75-foot rogue
wave are the chief reasons for the sluggish return of oil and gas production in
the Gulf of Mexico after September's Hurricane Ivan, a government official said. Kyoto
Revitalizes US Climate Bill (posted 12/08/04) A US
Senate bill that would attempt to slow global climate change by limiting
greenhouse gas emissions has a better chance of becoming law now that the Kyoto
protocol has been ratified by Russia Honda
Gets 'Greenest' Award From US Group (posted 12/08/04) Japanese
automakers produce the cleanest-burning vehicles and they were led in the 2003
model year by Honda Motor Co., while General Motors Corp. placed dead last. US
Workers' Group Says EPA Censors Comments (posted 12/08/04) The US
Environmental Protection Agency censored warnings that a Bush administration
plan to build roads in national forests could harm drinking water, a group
representing government workers said on Monday. Idaho Looks
for Creative Ways to Buy Water (posted 12/07/04) Idaho water officials will ask farmers to make an offer if they want to sell
water Mars
Once had Water, Researchers Conclude (posted 12/07/04) There is undeniable proof that water once existed on the planet Mars, a team
of researchers has concluded in a series of 11 articles this week in a special
issue of the journal Science. Arizona May
Deal Water to Nevada (posted 12/07/04) Nevada could take as much as 1.25 million acre-feet of Arizona's Colorado
River allocation under a deal endorsed by the Central Arizona Project board,
according to a report in the Arizona Republic. Study Urges
Caution in Contaminant Source Tracking (posted 12/07/04) When a community finds that water it relies on for drinking or recreation
contains E. coli (Escherichia coli), a bacterium found in the feces of
warm-blooded animals that indicates fecal contamination, residents and officials
naturally want to find the cause and fix it—quickly. Cities,
States Fail to Utilize Cost-Effective Option to Meet Lower Arsenic (posted
12/07/04) Often overlooked in the debates for a safe and cost-effective solution to
meet contaminant standards such as arsenic–and one approved by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency–is the end-of-the-line use of POU/POE devices Clean Water
Act Agreement to Address Sewage Overflows (posted 12/07/04) "Aging sewer systems create significant environmental problems across
our nation," General
Electric to Acquire Ionics (posted 12/07/04) Ionics is a global leader in desalination, water reuse & recycling, and
industrial ultrapure water services. "Water is the lifeblood of industries
and communities around the world, and scarcity, increasing demand and rising
costs are driving the need to conserve, reuse and identify new supplies of this
essential resource, Government
Officials and Tribal Representatives Will Convene to Sign Great Lakes
Declaration (posted 12/07/04) The Great Lakes Declaration is an intergovernmental pledge of support for the
development of a strategy to further protect and restore the Great Lakes through
the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration process. Stormwater BMP
Database Coalition Formed (posted 12/07/04) This tool will prove critical as communities, departments of transportation,
and private parties plan to spend potentially billions of dollars over the next
several years implementing BMPs for compliance with regulatory programs for
protecting water quality. Eroded
Beaches May Get $68-Million Injection of Sand (posted 12/07/04) State environmental officials plan to ask lawmakers for an emergency
appropriation of $68-million to put back millions of tons of sand washed off the
Florida's beaches during Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne NDWAC's
Water Security Working Group Meeting Announced (posted 12/07/04) to provide an opportunity for the WSWG members to continue deliberations on
the features of active and effective security programs UN
Chief Voices Hope for Access to Safe Drinking Water for All (posted
12/07/04) Kofi Annan Monday expressed his hope that one day the world will no longer
have to face the dire consequences of inadequate access to safe drinking water
and basic sanitation. Dell
Foundation Awards $1 Million Grant to Innovative Nonprofit Solving Global Water
Problems (posted 12/07/04) WaterPartners estimates it will provide more than 200,000 children and adults
in India with ready access to safe drinking water over the next decade through
WaterCredit and the MSDF gift. Oil
Price Trends Through 2004 – 2010 (posted 12/07/04) The base for this ‘surprising’ growth of world oil demand, and reason why
demand is growing faster than in the 1990s is unstoppable growth of all forms of
commercial energy demand by key, large population, very fast growing economies
including China, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. Crude
stabilizes just over $43/bbl; eyes on OPEC (posted 12/07/04) US
senator calls for solutions to 'looming' natural gas crisis (posted
12/07/04) US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici on
Monday called for legislative proposals that offer Retail
gas prices likely to remain high (posted 12/07/04) Forecasts of double-digit increases in gas prices were accurate, and Kentucky
Public Service Commission Chairman Mark David Goss said Monday there is no
assurance that the situation will change in the months ahead. U.S.
FIRMS SEE PROFIT IN CARBON EMISSIONS MARKET (posted 12/07/04) Many U.S.-based multinationals that do business in countries where greenhouse
gases will soon be regulated have long seen a financial incentive in getting a
head start on curbing emissions. Nuclear under
Fire in New Jersey (posted 12/07/04) The move follows complaints that the station-whose Hope Creek and Salem 1 and
2 units make it the country's second-largest generator of nuclear energy-has
deferred needed maintenance, failed to correct long-standing problems and
ignored employees who have come forward with safety concerns. Cinergy Clean
Air Efforts Praised (posted 12/07/04) A report by Cinergy Corp. that endorses restrictions on so- called greenhouse
gas emissions, should carry weight in the national debate over global warming,
as even environmentalists are praising Cinergy's stand. Sen.
Lieberman calls for new vote on emissions bill (posted 12/07/04) "It's time to think beyond oil and realize there are cleaner more
efficient energy sources," Innovative
Renewable Energy Technology From Nextek Power Systems Approved By California
Energy Commission (posted 12/07/04) The NPS-1000 offers a more efficient way to use the power produced by
renewable energy sources such as solar panels, fuel cells, and more. Ruling Nips Energy
Plans (posted 12/07/04) Dane County Circuit Judge David Flanagan on Monday overturned the state's
approval of Wisconsin Energy's $2.15 billion coal plant project in Oak Creek. Klappa said the ruling would invalidate all of the commission's recent
decisions, whether for coal-fired or natural gas-fired power plants. High
Gas Prices Lift Industry's Spirits (posted 12/07/04) High prices are lifting spirits in the oil and natural gas industry. Do
You Have Any Tips for Saving Energy in My Home? (posted 12/07/04) A University of Michigan study estimates that the average American household
could reduce its energy bills by 65 percent and, over the home's lifetime, save
$52,000 if it maximized energy efficiency. Business
Groups Beat Out Environmentalists in Spending Bill (posted 12/07/04) From an Alaska land swap to tours of a Georgia barrier island, business
interests bested environmentalists in battles that shaped Congress' $388 billion
spending bill. EPA Projects
Hazardous Waste Sites Growing in Number and Cleanup Costs (posted
12/07/04) At the current pace of cleanup work, it could take up to 35 years and $280
billion to fix most of the nation's existing and yet-to-be-discovered hazardous
waste sites US
Firmly Anti-Kyoto as UN Climate Talks Start (posted 12/07/04) The United
States showed no signs of budging in its opposition to the Kyoto protocol on
Monday as UN climate change talks began, a month after President George W.
Bush's reelection and Russia's ratification of the agreement. Shell
to Spend $6 Billion on Qatar Gas-To-Liquids Plant (posted 12/07/04) GTL plants
process natural gas into products such as diesel. Europe is short of diesel as
oil refiners lack sufficient production capacity and demand is rising. Australia to
Meet Kyoto Target But Refuses to Sign (posted 12/07/04) Australia
is on track to meet targets set by the global Kyoto Treaty to cut greenhouse gas
emissions but will still not sign the pact because it ignores key areas of the
fight against global warming in developing nations. Power-Starved
China Inks Energy Conservation Plan (posted 12/07/04) China,
grappling with its worst energy crunch in two decades, aims to save millions of
tonnes of coal and oil a year by putting "conservation first" and
making industry more efficient Energy Remains
Challenge for Bush (posted 12/07/04) Among the challenges facing President Bush in his second term is a big one
left over from his first: energy. Japan
Firms, Banks Create Greenhouse-Gas Reduction Fund (posted 12/07/04) The Japan Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will invest in overseas GHG reduction
projects and exploit overseas GHG reductions for helping achieve the national
target under the so-called Kyoto Mechanism High
Gas Prices Hurt Some, but SUVs Remain Popular (posted 12/07/04) Nationwide surveys taken throughout the year showed prospective SUV buyers
feeling negative vibes as regular unleaded gas prices have hovered around $2 a
gallon and up. Plant
Suspends Fertilizer Operations Near Las Cruces, N.M. (posted
12/07/04) Recurring concerns by Mesquite residents over possible ground water
contamination and unhealthy air from a nearby chemical company have drawn a
suspension order from the New Mexico Environment Department Baden-Wuerttemberg
Takes Precautions (posted 12/06/04) Citizens in
Baden-Wuerttemberg that live closer than ten kilometres to a nuclear reactor can
get free high-dosage iodine tablets from the pharmacy for the first time. China's
Renewable Energy Development Strategy (posted 12/06/04) China, which relies heavily on coal for power production, is looking to clean
up their energy supply with a big Climate
talks expected to focus on future of Kyoto Protocol (posted
12/06/04) Assisting developing countries to adapt to the adverse effects of global
warming will be a major agenda item when 4,000 delegates convene Monday at
climate change talks in Buenos Aires, but behind-the-scene discussions about the
future direction of international efforts to control greenhouse gases are
expected to be a major unfolding story. Doing Nothing
Can Be Expensive (posted 12/06/04) After testimony by the
German Institute for Economic Research, worldwide global harms of up to 214
trillion US dollars are expected in next 50 years due to a temperature increase
of 1°C. In order to combat this climate change, greenhouse gases must be
decreased by 60-80% by 2100 FERC to issue
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on wind power Jan 19 (posted 12/06/04) The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will issue a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking on Jan 19, 2005 open meeting in a bid to create uniformity in
windfarm grid links and encourage the construction of more wind generation Forecaster
Sees Fewer Atlantic Hurricanes In 2005 (posted 12/06/04) On the
heels of the most-destructive season in more than a decade, Colorado State
University professor William Gray said the 2005 season will produce 11 tropical
storms and hurricanes, slightly more than the average but four less than last
year. FUEL CELL CAR KIT (posted
12/06/04) This new Thames & Kosmos Fuel Cell Kit provides a
playful introduction to one of the most significant technologies of the 21st
Century. With this kit you can build a model car that actually runs on water! Great
Park should follow example of energy-efficient projects (posted
12/06/04) Orange County's proposed Great Park is destined to be a green oasis -- and if
some designers have their way, not just in trees. How Global
Warming Can Lead To A Big Chill (posted 12/06/04) Global
warming could lead to a big chill in the North Atlantic, at least if history is
anything to go by, researchers reported on Friday. OBTAIN FUEL FROM WATER (posted
12/06/04) Attention Alternate Energy researchers! These people
have put together the most up-to-date Hydrogen Power plans, reports and
schematics in this package, which is Hundreds of pages in
length and over 1 megabyte of information. Oil
prices continue three-day slump, Brent below $40 (posted 12/06/04) Benchmark global oil prices continued to fall Friday, extending sharp losses Ontario
minister leaves door open on some coal (posted 12/06/04) The Ontario government has stated in no uncertain terms that, to cut air
pollution, it will shut down all 7,600 MW of the province's coal-fired fleet by
2007. However, last week, Energy Minister Dwight Duncan said that he would
consider keeping several coal-fired units on standby in case of a power
shortage. OPEC
sees oversupply, wants to stop excessive stockbuild (posted
12/06/04) a sign the group may weigh cutting output when its oil ministers meet this
week. 'Robust'
Grid is Needed to Propel Wind Power (posted 12/06/04) The Western states have tremendous opportunities to generate power from wind,
but there's a glaring deficiency: inadequate high- voltage power lines to carry
the electricity to consumers. Tokyo Battered
By Record Winds (posted 12/06/04) Record-breaking
winds struck Tokyo on Sunday, beaching a tanker, toppling trees, halting trains
and injuring at least 14 people in and near the capital UN
Talks To Review Where "Dangerous" Warming Starts (posted
12/06/04) OSLO - A
decade after the world pledged to prevent "dangerous" global warming,
194 nations meet next week to review whether rare heatwaves and a fast Arctic
thaw may signal that the planet is nearing the brink. US Postal
Service plans Bay Area renewable power plant (posted 12/06/04) Chevron Energy Solutions will complete major energy efficiency upgrades and a
hybrid renewable power plant -- including a fuel cell and two solar electric
technologies What's
moving the oil markets? (posted 12/06/04) Read more... UC Davis
Developing Prototype Anaerobic Digester (posted 12/03/04) The researcher sees the digester as a way to derive energy from the more than
14 million tons of high-moisture, organic waste generated in California each
year. A Lifetime with Solar (posted
12/03/04) Little by little, we installed equipment to enjoy all the modern conveniences
in a remote setting. Our location at 4000ft is well above Tucson, so any city
pollution comes diluted. Water is pure. Kansas Holds
Off Wind Power Development in Prairie Area (posted 12/03/04) Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius asked last week for wind developers to hold
off on development of wind energy in the Flint Hills area to preserve tallgrass
prairie. Nuclear Plants
to shut down due to oil spill (posted 12/03/04) Both units will begin reducing power Friday and then be shut to avoid getting
oil into the plant's water intake structures due to the Athos I tanker spill Abraham
confident energy bill will pass (posted 12/03/04) Outgoing Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham told members of the National
Petroleum Council he fully expects Congress to pass a new comprehensive energy
policy bill that would allow for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge. Wind,
Solar Power Would Boost State's Economy (posted 12/03/04) A proposed renewable energy program would cost New Jersey homeowners as
little as $5 a year and provide economic and health benefits to the state, a
Rutgers University study has found. Massey Energy
to Open Mammoth Mine (posted 12/03/04) "We anticipate production of approximately 800,000 tons from this mine
in 2005," Sparking Fuel
Cell Production (posted 12/03/04) Fuel cell production may be about to accelerate. Two industrial heavyweights
are advancing their pilot program to generate electricity from fuel cells that
can be cleaner and more efficient than centrally located power plants. Talk Up Good Service (posted
12/03/04) Utility managers who talk about good customer
service but do not demonstrate it are fighting a losing battle with their
employees. South Asia
Stares at Looming Water Crisis (posted 12/02/04) According to U.N. estimates, about 2.3 billion people in about 50 nations
will be saddled with severe water shortages by 2020 because of global warming. Environmentalists
See Trouble for Air, Wildlife in Bush's Second Term (posted
12/02/04) Environmentalists see some of their worst fears playing out as President Bush
moves to cement a second-term agenda that includes getting more timber, oil and
gas from public lands and relying on the market rather than regulation to curb
pollution. Builders
Turn More Toward Environmentally-Friendly Products as Costs Fall (posted
12/02/04) Construction companies, Bob Vila-types and architecture firms for years shied
away from environmentally friendly products, citing high costs as a deterrent. Justice
Department to Fight Hanford Initiative in Court (posted 12/02/04) The 586-square-mile Hanford reservation was created in World War II as part
of the top-secret Manhattan Project to build the atomic bomb. It remains the
most contaminated site in the nation Power
Companies Fail To Chart Clear Course To Combat Climate Change (posted
12/02/04) Despite their role as the biggest contributors to
climate change, a new report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reveals that the
planet's largest power companies are failing to make use of available
technologies to address the threat that climate change poses to the environment. Oiled
Birds Wash Up on Newfoundland Beaches (posted 12/02/04) Hundreds of dead and dying oiled birds are washing up
on the beaches of Newfoundland, but the oil in their feathers is not from the
Terra Nova spill, indicating some ships crews are dumping their bilge oil near
the spill to cover up their illegal actions. Global
energy security no longer a major concern (posted 12/02/04) Concern about energy security is no longer a major concern as a result of
more efficient use of oil and increasing utilization of alternative energy
sources OPEC
likely to roll over current output quota (posted 12/02/04) US Trade
Groups Voice Frustration On Lack Of Energy Bill (posted 12/02/04) The heads of several energy trade groups Wednesday agreed that the best way
to address the U.S. energy supply crunch is to get Congress to pass a
wide-ranging energy bill. Also, they voiced frustration over the fact that
Congress didn't pass such legislation in previous years, despite an energy bill
being a White House priority. Wind power
advocates seek to boost transmission capabilities (posted 12/02/04) With production of wind power growing rapidly, the industry's next challenge
is to find ways to move the power to consumers. Diablo
Canyon, Calif., nuclear power plant may store radioactive waste (posted
12/02/04) The public could have significantly more access to land surrounding Diablo
Canyon nuclear power plant within two years if the state Coastal Commission
approves plans to build a storage facility for the plant's highly radioactive
waste. More
Mexican Cos Head Toward Private Power Generation (posted 12/02/04) Frustrated by high electricity prices during peak hours, more than 30
companies have come together in Mexico's northern industrial city of Monterrey
to generate their own power. EPA Releases
Notice of Data Availability for Clean Air Mercury Rule (posted
12/02/04) In Dec. 2003, EPA proposed two alternatives for controlling
mercury. Currently, nationwide mercury emissions from power plants are about 48
tons per year. U.S.
Natural Gas Prices Increase (posted 12/02/04) NUS Consulting found the average price of natural gas nationwide increased by
4.3 percent from the period of September 2003 to September 2004. Cracks Found
In San Onofre Reactor Heater (posted 12/02/04) It was scheduled to return to service on Nov. 21, but plant managers now say
it will be off line until early January Brazil
Amazon Deforestation Jumps, Data Show (posted 12/02/04) An area of
Amazon jungle larger than the US state of New Jersey has been destroyed this
year and work on a new highway is mainly to blame Brazil Garbage
Dump Could Be Climate Trailblazer (posted 12/02/04) A Brazilian
garbage dump could be a trailblazer for thousands of projects in developing
nations under a UN plan to battle global warming Oil
Tanker Aground in North Wales, No Pollution (posted 12/02/04) A small
coastal oil tanker carrying 4,000 tonnes of gas oil has run aground at Holyhead
on the island of Anglesey in north Wales Humans Raise
Risk of Europe Heatwaves (posted 12/02/04) Human
activity has raised the risk of more heatwaves like last year's, which gave
Europe probably its hottest summer since 1500. World Shame of
Living Dead of Bhopal Gas Disaster (posted 12/02/04) Two decades
after a leak sent clouds of lethal gas into the homes of hundreds of thousands
of poor Indians, the world has failed to either help the victims or punish the
culprits Carbon To
Blame For Pollution Heart Damage (posted 12/02/04) Air
pollution clearly causes immediate damage to the heart, including heart attacks,
but its short-term effects on asthma and other respiratory symptoms are harder
to document Ultra-Low
Emissions Fuel Cell To Feed Power to Local Distribution System (posted
12/01/04) an
important milestone, bringing on-line one of the first utility-scale fuel cell
power plants in North America that will feed power to consumers from a
substation. Marubeni
Announces Siting of Direct FuelCell (posted 12/01/04) Innovative
food waste digester gas power plant is first project to receive funding under
Japan's $200 Million 'Biomass Nippon' program Honda and Plug
Power Announce Experimental Operation of Second (posted 12/01/04) HES II is the further evolution of a joint development effort by Honda and
Plug Power to produce a home refueling unit that provides hydrogen from natural
gas for vehicle refueling, heat for domestic hot water use and electricity for
the home. Fuel
Cell Technologies and Siemens Westinghouse Sign MOU. (posted
12/01/04) regarding the global supply, sales and distribution of solid oxide fuel cell
systems International
‘green technological revolution’ needed – Blair (posted
12/01/04) "Over the coming decades, a massive shift
towards lower carbon energy systems will be needed if we are to meet the world's
growing energy needs whilst also avoiding the worst impacts of climate change,”
said Blair. Hydrogen
Generated by Antarctic Winds (posted 12/01/04) "When the system is fully developed, an Antarctic station will, for
the first time, be able to use a renewable source to meet virtually all its
energy needs." With Friends Like These (posted
12/01/04) "If Hollywood screenwriters are putting out this type of out dated,
misleading, and downright wrong information on a show that has a naturally
progressive angle, then we have a lot more work before us than we thought.
" Bachelor's
Program in Renewable Energy Systems (posted 12/01/04) With renewable energy technologies sporting the fastest growth rates of any
energy industry, it only makes sense that higher education would seize this
opportunity and begin offering degrees catered specifically to the renewable
energy field. Solar
Electrolyzer Focus of Hydrogen Research (posted 12/01/04) "Hydrogen is the fuel of the future and solar applications to produce
hydrogen are a good way to become energy independent." Renewable
Energy Twice-as-Nice in Ontario (posted 12/01/04) "The ten new energy projects provide 395 megawatts of clean,
renewable energy, which will reduce our dependence on dirty coal-fired plants
and enhance air quality throughout the province." Quote
of the day (posted 12/01/04) http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/Quote
of the Day/ Yukos outlines its
options (posted 12/01/04) Russia’s Yukos has all
but run out of options to keep its business afloat, as gas giant Gazprom looks
increasingly likely to try to snap up Yuganskneftegaz at next month’s auction
of the key Yukos subsidiary. New
diesel sulfur regs could lead to significant supply woes (posted
12/01/04) OPEC
Nov crude output rises to 30.5-mil b/d (posted 12/01/04) OPEC crude production rose by 200,000 b/d, or almost 1%, in November as Saudi
Arabia and other members of the cartel pumped more than their official output
ceiling in a bid to lower near-record prices Crude prices
slip after earlier rally on supply (posted 12/01/04) January crude futures on NYMEX and the IPE eased Tuesday afternoon after
rallying on word that Norway's Statoil expected a 200,000 b/d North Sea supply
outage to last several days. Free
market think-tank says US retail market restructuring failed (posted
12/01/04) Because efforts to restructure retail power markets have largely failed to
deliver reduced electricity costs to consumers and contributed to problems in
the industry, all efforts should be abandoned in favor of "more aggressive
deregulation After
seeing mercury data, EPA seeks more comments (posted 12/01/04) Environmental Protection Agency is considering modifying its benefits
assessment and certain aspects of its methodology. It now seeks comments on the
areas in question. Samsung
Engineering Develops Hydrogen-Powered Scooter (posted 12/01/04) The newly-developed technology uses a water-based solution of sodium
borohydride, made from sodium borate, to produce hydrogen gas. Europe
should set 25% target for renewables by 2020 (posted 12/01/04) A global energy coalition wants the European Union to aim for sourcing 25% of
its energy from renewables by 2020. Senate urges
more support for renewable energies in Canada (posted 12/01/04) A committee of the federal Senate wants the government of Canada to provide a
five-year moratorium on the 7% sales tax for purchases of all renewable energy
equipment. Wind,
bioenergy and gas could replace coal in Victoria (posted 12/01/04) Cleaner energy sources could displace both the capacity and the output of a
1,600 MW coal-fired facility by 2010 by a mix of realistic supply-side and
demand-side initiatives. Alternative
state energy plan calls for more renewables in Texas (posted
12/01/04) “All Texans have the right to purchase clean renewable energy from their
electric provider at prices that are reasonable and just and nondiscriminatory.” TVA
to pay $338 million to states (posted 12/01/04) $630 million in contracts to supply low-sulfur coal to power plants nearest
the Great Smoky Mountains. New State
Program Encourages Residents to Convert Sunshine Into Electricity (posted
12/01/04) the first rebate in Nevada resulting from a pioneering state program to
encourage the use of renewable energy. The program is called SolarGenerations. The
Energy Challenge 2004 - Hydrogen (posted 12/01/04) Widespread research on all aspects of hydrogen production, storage,
transportation and use is evident, not just in the USA, but worldwide, and
technological advances are appearing at a bewildering rate. Environment
Group Slams Power Cos Over Global Warming (posted 12/01/04) Power companies have failed in their efforts to invest in renewable energy
and combat global warming Ohio Firm
Hopes to Produce Electricity From Landfills (posted 12/01/04) A hangar at the Huron County Airport will soon be home to an Ohio company
that hopes to turn landfill gas into electricity all over the country. Plug Power
Expands GenCore Product Line (posted 12/01/04) Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq: PLUG) today introduced three new
product configurations designed specifically for the electric utility substation
backup market. Booming
China Awash in 'Out of Control' Acid Rain (posted 12/01/04) China's explosive economic growth is outpacing environmental protection
efforts, leaving the country awash in "out of control" acid rain, the
China Daily said Tuesday. EU Eyes
British Nuclear Decommissioning (posted 12/01/04) Brussels is
poised to vet Britain's plan for a state-owned nuclear decommissoning body to
ensure it won't break European Union prohibitions on state aid Indonesia to
Formally Charge Newmont Executives (posted 12/01/04) Indonesian
prosecutors on Tuesday said they would prosecute six executives from the world's
largest gold miner, Newmont Mining Corp., over a pollution case being closely
watched by foreign investors. Norway Weighs
Hydropower Ownership Future (posted 12/01/04) Norway took
a step towards opening its hydropower industry to private and foreign investors
on Tuesday when officials suggested reforms of century-old rules favouring
public ownership of hydroelectric concessions. Blockbuster
Atlantic Hurricane Season Closes (posted 12/01/04) Everything
about the Atlantic hurricane season was big -- lots of powerful storms that
spawned hundreds of deadly tornadoes, many deaths, an unprecedented onslaught on
Florida, a huge damage toll and millions evacuated. Gas
Leaks Shut 280,000 Bpd North Sea Oil Supply (posted 12/01/04) More than
280,000 barrels per day (bpd) of North Sea oil production remained halted on
Tuesday after two separate gas leaks shut fields in the Norwegian and UK
sectors. Delaware River
Opens to Traffic after Oil Spill (posted 12/01/04) Ships were
moving slowly into and out of the Port of Philadelphia Tuesday after the
Delaware River was partly shut by a crude oil spill last Friday Bush reaches out to
Canada (posted 12/01/04) President George W. Bush's quick trip to Canada beginning Tuesday will be
short on ceremony and long on discussion as Bush and Prime Minister Paul Martin
seek to ease national irritants at a time when U.S.-Canadian relations are
perhaps at their lowest since the Vietnam War. Dollar Hits All-Time Low
Against Euro (posted 11/30/04) Persistent worries over high oil prices and the U.S. trade and budget
deficits have pushed the dollar to new depths against the 12-nation euro in
recent weeks. French
parliament sets waste policy hearings for early 2005 (posted
11/30/04) The French parliament will hold hearings in early 2005 on high-level and US
regular gasoline drops to $1.942 (posted 11/30/04) The cost of regular-grade gasoline dipped 0.3 ct from last week to average
$1.942/gal, the US Energy Information Administration said Monday. Despite the
drop, prices are still 45.5 cts/gal higher this year than the corresponding week
of 2003. Delaware River
transit reopened on case-by-case basis (posted 11/30/04) Vessel passage along a 12-mile stretch of the Delaware River closed after a World crude market has
1-mil b/d supply excess: OPEC official (posted 11/30/04) World oil markets are oversupplied by about 1-mil b/d as OPEC pumps more
crude than its official ceiling in a bid to lower prices, the group's acting
secretary general said Tuesday. Saudis
see balanced oil market, ready to pump more if asked (posted
11/30/04) Saudi Arabia was willing to pump well beyond its current crude production EU ministers
reject reducing taxes to offset oil price rises (posted 11/30/04) Wisconsin
court sends Oak Creek plans back for further review (posted
11/30/04) The PSC gave final approval late last year to two of the three proposed Endesa bears
brunt of Kyoto cuts (posted 11/30/04) Spanish power companies including Endesa, Union Fenosa and Hidro-Cantbrico
are preparing for a 21% cut in their permitted greenhouse gas emissions from
coal-fired power plants between 2005 and 2007 under proposals published by
Spains ministry of environment. Energy Crisis
Hits Small Business (posted 11/30/04) UK ENERGY PRICES have increased sharply in recent months, with further hikes
predicted. The independent gas and electricity watchdog Energywatch warns that
"thousands of small businesses are being pushed to the limit." 'Green'
eco-friendly hospital in Boulder, Colo., uses sustainable energy (posted
11/30/04) Some of its floors are made of flaxseed. It's surrounded by a wildlife
habitat, and there are outlets in the parking lot to charge your electric car. 'Green'
startups draw investors, capital from California pension fund (posted
11/30/04) Venture capitalists see green in the next generation rechargeable battery
from PowerGenix Systems. Ojibwe
Tribe, Utility Study Renewable Energy in Minnesota (posted 11/30/04) The Fond du Lac Ojibwe Band in Cloquet, Minn., is exploring the potential of
using the winds, flowing waters and wood as sources of renewable energy. U.S.
Wind Farming, Inc. to Re-Power Old Generation Wind (posted 11/30/04) The "repowering" will consist of the replacement of 2-3 decades old
technology wind turbines, some non-operational and hazardous to the aviary
population, with advanced technology, aviary friendly, GE wind turbines. Nevada
program will help fund solar, wind farm projects (posted 11/30/04) Two developers said Friday they are getting closer to beginning construction
on separate alternate energy projects that will take advantage of a new state
program. Seattle
City Council extends agreement for wind-generated power (posted
11/30/04) The Seattle City Council has passed an ordinance that will allow the city to
acquire wind-generated power through 2020. Waveguide
principle found for terahertz imaging (posted 11/30/04) Terahertz imaging made national headlines in the wake of the
9/ 11 attacks as a new approach for detecting explosives and nonmetal lethal
devices. Terahertz fields with wavelengths longer than infrared radiation but
shorter than radio frequencies are sensitive to a range of materials denser than
clothing but not as dense as bone or metal, which can be picked up with X-rays. Brazil
Indians Grapple with White Man's Advance (posted 11/30/04) The event was also a chance to forge links with other tribes and air common
grievances in a struggle that has gone on since Portuguese explorers first
landed in Brazil on a beach just a few miles away from here in 1500. International
Forum to Take up Acid-Pollution Problem (posted 11/30/04) "Other parts of the world have been looking at these issues for 150
years, and they have got solutions ... We'd like PennDOT and DEP to be aware of
these other alternatives." Fine
Particle Pollution is Cutting European Life Expectancy, Says U.N. (posted
11/30/04) The burning of fossil fuels and wood is cutting life expectancy in some parts
of Europe by up to two years, despite a significant reduction in other
pollutants, the United Nations said Monday. Hillary
Opposed to Highway to South Pole (posted 11/30/04) Work on the 1,020-mile "ice highway" from the Antarctic coast south
of New Zealand to the South Pole is currently in its third season. US Mining
Giant Faces off against Police (posted 11/30/04) Mention Newmont Mining Corp. in this impoverished seaside community and
villagers angrily recount how pollution from its gold mine has killed the fish
and sickened residents with headaches, nausea and tremors. Use of Key
Chemical in Treatment of Commodity Crop Exports Spotlighted at International
Ozone Layer Conference (posted 11/30/04) Governments Also Agree on Level of Methyl Bromide
Exemptions For Developed World Farmers Blair Urges
Dialogue With US on Climate Change (posted 11/30/04) Prime
Minister Tony Blair on Monday urged a new international dialogue with the United
States on climate change, weeks before Britain takes over the presidency of the
G8 group of industrialised nations. North
Sea Oil Platform Leaks Gas, Workers Evacuated (posted 11/30/04) Well
experts at a North Sea oil platform struggled to stop a gas leak early on Monday
after helicopters evacuated most of the crew from the installation because of
fears of an explosion. Canada's
Terra Nova Oil Project Remains Idle (posted 11/30/04) Canada's
second-largest offshore oil project remained idle Monday as regulators looked
into the cause of an oil spill into the Atlantic Ocean eight days ago Major UK Study
Sees Little Harm in GMO Crops (posted 11/30/04) A fresh row
over genetically modified (GMO) crops brewed in Britain on Monday after a major
government and industry-backed study found no evidence they harmed the
environment. Europe's
Tug-of-War on GMO Crops Rages On (posted 11/30/04) UK
scientists pronounced some genetically modified (GMO) crops harmless on Monday
but European Union experts demurred, declining to approve another new GMO
product for the eighth time in a row EU
Food Safety Agency Attacked for Pro-GMO
Bias (posted 11/30/04) An
environmental group accused Europe's top food safety agency on Monday of
repeated bias in favour of genetically modified (GMO) foods and links with the
biotech industry. Statoil
shuts in 200,000 b/d oil output on Snorre A platform leak (posted
11/29/04) Norway's Statoil has been forced to shut in some 205,000 b/d of crude output Oil
investors see $30-34/bbl oil price as fair: Naimi (posted 11/29/04) Russia's
UES board approves creation of third wholesale genco (posted
11/29/04) Russia's power monopoly UES has approved the creation of one more wholesale
generation company (WGC) and two more territorial generation companies (TGCs) as
part of Russia's power sector reform UK regulator
Ofgem says gas price probes continuing (posted 11/29/04) British energy regulator Ofgem is continuing its actions to investigate the Wind Power
Deal Making will be focus of Wind Power Finance (posted 11/29/04) By all accounts, the future of wind power has never looked brighter. The
industry has received a tremendous stimulus from the widening array of state
mandated renewable portfolio standards. What's more, the rising price of natural
gas is making the economics of wind power increasingly competitive. Plans for
National Energy Bill May Be Losing Steam in House (posted
11/29/04) After four years of failure, House energy committee chairman Joe Barton
said Wednesday that he won't pursue national energy policy legislation in the
next Congress. Congress
Approves $18 Million for Billion-Dollar, Zero-Emission Plant That Would Be
World's First (posted 11/29/04) West Virginia is among the contenders to be the site of the plant, which has
an estimated overall cost of $1 billion. United
Utilities Quits Renewable Energy (posted 11/29/04) UNITED UTILITIES, the owner of the water and electricity networks in
North-west England, is close to quitting the green energy business and is in
advanced discussions with a number of potential buyers. 'Constraints
to Renewable Energy' (posted 11/29/04) He said he wanted to reach a target of over 13 per cent of energy consumption
from renewable sources by 2010, but it presented major challenges. Foundation
Begins Photovoltaic Research Project (posted 11/29/04) a new generation of photosensitive roofing and glazing materials promises to
transform and expand the use of PV by turning whole buildings into electrical
generators Seven School
Districts Now Considering Wind Turbine (posted 11/29/04) Seven school districts in south central North Dakota are considering wind
energy to save money on utility costs. EPCOR awarded
contract for a wind power project through Ontario Renewable RFP (posted
11/29/04) "The Ontario government's RFP process demonstrates that government and
the private sector can work together to respond to Canadians' strong interest in
developing additional renewable energy," Ont.
Signs on 10 New Renewable Energy Projects to Provide 395 Megawatts (posted
11/29/04) Ten private renewable energy projects will be built in Ontario by the end of
2007 and will generate enough electricity to power over 100,000 homes annually Plastic
Solar Cells Get a Nanoboost (posted 11/29/04) SOLAR POWER, LIKE FUEL CELLS, has a strong future, but the problem is how to
make it more cost-effective. Over the past ten years, scientists tried to
substitute polymers for the expensive- but effective-crystalline materials such
as silicon, a traditional solar cell material. These attempts produced solar
cells with poor efficiencies at converting light into electricity. Sandia Labs
Working on Solar Power Farm (posted 11/29/04) Solar farms with up to 20,000 dishes each could produce enough electricity to
compete with so-called peaking power stations Energy Supply
Short of Demand (posted 11/29/04) Many provinces and regions across China have struggled with coal, electricity
and oil shortages over the past two years. Iran's
Bushehr nuclear plant becomes operational within 15 months (posted
11/29/04) "The plant is a perfect example of using nuclear
technology for peaceful purposes, but even for this, America, on several
occasions, interfered in the process of drawing up our contract with Russia.
Contrary to its claim, America never assisted Iran in its endeavour for peaceful
use of nuclear energy." Iran's
Electricity Capacity Surges (posted 11/29/04) According to "Tehran Times", electricity production of the country
is expected to increase by 3,000 megawatts in 1384 (starting March 21, 2005). Ontario Fuel
to Contain 5 Percent Ethanol by 2007 (posted 11/29/04) Gasoline in
Canada's most populous province will contain an average of 5 percent of
pollution-reducing ethanol by 2007 Yukos
shareholders to consider liquidation/bankruptcy (posted 11/26/04) The shareholders of embattled Russian oil giant Yukos have decided to
consider liquidation or bankruptcy of the company at their extraordinary general
meeting on Dec 20 13 Countries
Launch Methane to Markets Partnership (posted 11/26/04) Methane to Markets has the potential to reduce net methane emissions by up to
50 million metric tons of carbon equivalent annually by 2015 and continue at
that level or higher in the future. This would be the carbon equivalent of
removing 33 million cars from roadways for one year or eliminating emissions
from 50 500-megawatt coal-fired power plants. GTI Converts
Ethanol into Hydrogen (posted 11/26/04) Ethanol produced from corn grown in the Midwest could be providing hydrogen
for the fuel cell vehicles of tomorrow Grant
helps run Albany, N.Y.-area solar power training project (posted
11/26/04) A state authority has kicked in $148,000 for a project
designed to teach Capital Region electricians how to install and maintain solar
panels. Ontario Plans
Renewable Energy for 100,000 Homes (posted
11/26/04) Ontario plans 10 new energy projects that could supply power to 100,000 homes
from renewable sources like wind, hydro and landfill biogas Energy Bosses
Urge EU to Back Nuclear Power (posted 11/26/04) Europe's
nuclear energy generators urged European Union policy makers on Thursday to
include nuclear energy as a central part in the bloc's energy mix and future
planning. Rains Soak
Drought-Hit Vietnam (posted 11/26/04) Rains
started this week in the central region, bringing relief to rice farmers who had
faced drought since September. Fuel-Cell
Firm Ceres Powers Ahead on London Debut (posted 11/26/04) The
Surrey-based company plans to develop fuel cells for use in home boilers to
provide cheaper and more environmentally friendly heating and electricity for
the home. Asia Faces
Living Nightmare From Climate Change (posted 11/26/04) In the
decades to come Asia, home to more than half the world's 6.3 billion people,
will lurch from one climate extreme to another, with impoverished farmers
battling droughts, floods, disease, food shortages and rising sea levels. Statoil
Says to Open Norway's First Hydrogen Station (posted 11/26/04) Norway's
oil and gas group Statoil will open the nation's first hydrogen filling point
for cars at a petrol station in 2006 Could
Be Days Before Terra Nova Restart (posted 11/26/04) It could
could be days before Canada's second-largest offshore oil project, Terra Nova,
restarts after being shut down last weekend when crude spilled into the ocean. UK’s
oil balance moves into deficit (posted 11/26/04) The UK's oil trade balance swung into
the red for the first time in 13 years in September. The figures hint that
the global economy is getting back on track after the recent soft patch seen in
the US. Britain’s
energy time bomb (posted 11/26/04) "By 2020, we will probably be
importing three-quarters of our primary energy needs -- and we will need to
adapt to that Oil ought to be
traded in euro (posted 11/26/04) The declining exchange rate for US
dollars is creating economic uncertainty, particularly for oil exporting nations
like Norway. OPEC
Fund signs agreement with UNESCWA (posted 11/26/04) The project aims to integrate renewable
energy resources into the life pattern of poor rural communities, thereby
enhancing development opportunities and protecting the environment. Iran wants
China to replace Japan as top oil importer (posted 11/26/04) "Japan is our number one energy
importer due to historical reasons... but we would like to give preference to
exports to China, Iran reports
on power generation capacity (posted 11/26/04) Iran’s power generation capacity rose
by about 53 % in seven years following construction of power plants with the
capacity to produce 12,130 MW of power. Is
it raining petrodollars in the Arab world? (posted 11/26/04) Oil is just a commodity, it must be
looked at as a "means" to achieve true wealth. The mere fact that
those Arab states whose major portion of revenues come from oil, do not increase
the wealth of their countries unless those proceeds are used efficiently to
generate true wealth for all of their citizens, in other words it is called
productive capital. President of
OPEC believes crude oil prices will keep falling (posted 11/26/04) The president of OPEC, the oil
producers' cartel, called an end to the season of high crude oil prices by
stating that stocks had returned to normal levels. Kazakhstan's
oil wealth poses threat to ecology (posted 11/26/04) "Just a couple of months ago the
beach was covered in oil - we've been told not to come here any more." Pipeline
explodes in Kazakhstan (posted 11/26/04) A ruptured gas pipeline exploded and
caught fire in western Kazakhstan, killing three workers and injuring three
others. Russia’s
oil and gold reserves close to exhaustion (posted 11/26/04) the country’s exploitable reserves of
oil, uranium, copper and vein gold would be exhausted in 2015. Russia to
start reducing oil exports in two years (posted 11/26/04) Russia will start to reduce oil exports
in two years as oil production levels in the country stabilize and fall India to
invest in Russian oil and gas projects (posted 11/26/04) India will invest $ 3 bn in developing
oil and gas fields in Russia to build a partnership in the energy sector. Australia's
fossil fuel reliance means alternative energies are overlooked (posted
11/26/04) When the Government thinks energy, it
thinks coal and gas. Australia has huge reserves of coal, and the reality is
that sooner or later we're going to have to decide that like uranium, we're
going to have to leave a lot of it in the ground. China's
push for energy supplies sours ties with Japan (posted 11/26/04) China is stepping up efforts to secure
sufficient energy supplies as its rapid economic growth has pushed it into
second place in global oil consumption behind the United States, resulting in
friction with Japan over its natural gas exploration project in the East China
Sea and fuelling the recent surge in oil prices. Power demand
to keep soaring in China next year (posted 11/26/04) State Grid Corporation of China
predicts a rise of about 10.5 % in China's electric power consumption and the
country's electric power demand will skyrocket to 2.39 tn kWh next year China’s
oil demand growth may slow to 6.7 % (posted 11/26/04) China expects oil consumption growth to
slow to 6.7 % next year from 20 % this year as government measures to crimp
economic expansion take effect. China
becomes the world's second largest power generation giant (posted
11/26/04) China's installed generating capacity
totals 400 mm kW, making it the world's second largest power generation giant
after the United States. Energy may become China's
biggest inflation driver (posted 11/26/04) "Although food prices will
increase next year, energy will account for the bulk of inflationary
pressure." India should
prepare for a new energy economy (posted 11/26/04) In the next three-four decades, the
trends show hydrogen, which is cleaner and renewable, will replace oil and gas
as the world's main source of fuel, "India will be a laggard in the race
and we will be forced to pay through our nose for proprietary technology if we
fall behind (in the adoption to a new fuel era). China and EU
launch energy and environment program (posted 11/26/04) Introduction of the program is expected
to draw energy-saving experience from members of European Commission and promote
the sustainable development in China. Korean
officials pledge more efficient energy policy (posted 11/26/04) events such as the political and
military uncertainty that prevails in the Middle East, from where Korea fills
about 80 % of its oil demand, the increasing disruptions to the global fuel
supply and rapidly deteriorating environmental conditions, have all contributed
to high prices for Korea's oil. Korea has
become an energy producing country (posted 11/26/04) Korea’s dream of becoming an energy
producing country came true within 40 years after Korea started searching the
continental shelf in 1964. Eighty oil
firms in Angola quit over rising prices (posted 11/26/04) About 80 of the 84 companies officially
registered in Burundi to import and market petroleum products locally have
ceased operations due to increasing oil prices on the world market and the
government’s unwillingness to adjust prices upward. Nigeria tries
to build new economy without oil (posted 11/26/04) The price of fuel is soaring in Nigeria
and its provision is irregular, creating shortages in a region that virtually
floats on oil. Egypt
likely to become sixth-largest exporter of liquefied gas (posted
11/26/04) The country's energy exports are expect
to surge to $ 10 bn by 2010 boosted by liquefied gas exports. The LNG
controversy between the USA and Mexico (posted 11/26/04) Getting the gas to the American
continent entails liquefying it by super-cooling, hauling it here with tankers,
and re-gassifying it for pipeline distribution by warming it. Thirty
re-gasification terminals are proposed for the United States, which is Mexico’s
prime natural gas supplier. Brazil:
A bio-energy superpower in the making (posted 11/26/04) The sugarcane needed to make Brazil the
world leader in sugar and alcohol production also generates enormous quantities
of waste pulp, a source of energy that feeds the electricity market as well as
running the sugar mills and distilleries. Surging
oil prices likely won't shock American economy (posted 11/26/04) Though crude oil prices seem to have
topped out, they've risen 78 % over the past year - 23 % in just the past two
months. Sooner or later, common sense would tell us, those high prices will work
their way like tapeworms through the rest of the US economy. Common sense is almost surely wrong.
The US economy is far less sensitive to spikes -- or drops -- in oil prices than
two decades ago, economists say. Wyoming’s
aging oil fields could still produce (posted 11/26/04) Oil production in Wyoming has declined
at an annual rate of about 5.4 % since 1991. But don't count Wyoming's first
black gold down and out. The US is
squandering oil and gas reserves (posted 11/26/04) I had the privilege of listening to a
noted expert on energy use. Randy Udall raised some cautionary flags about
energy use in the United States. Perhaps the most frightening statement he made
was to say, "We are as dependent on oil and natural gas as the Sioux and
Cheyenne were on the buffalo." US has a new
vision to cut oil dependence (posted 11/26/04) Today the US is the biggest oil
consumer in the world; it uses 21 mm bpd of oil and imports 55 % of its
consumption. It has less than 3 % of the world oil reserves and this is
declining. It, on the other hand, consumes 25 % of the total world daily demand
for oil. Rising fossil
fuel prices make green power more competitive (posted 11/26/04) With oil futures soaring above $ 55 a
barrel and natural gas doubling in price in the last two years, renewable energy
is looking a lot better to many -- not just on environmental merits but on
price. Fish oil fuels
diesel vehicles in Ontario (posted 11/26/04) Maritime provincial governments should
follow the lead of Ontario, which offers consumers a tax incentive for using
"greener" fuel When will the joy
ride end? (posted 11/26/04) British coal launched the Industrial
Revolution, but American oil put the pedal to the metal. No other material has
so profoundly changed the face of the world in such a short time. Alaskans face
big gas pipeline decision (posted 11/26/04) Alaskans face a decision soon that
ranks up there with the Permanent Fund in terms of significance. Gov. Frank
Murkowski has made a proposal for the state to invest in a natural gas pipeline
to be built from the North Slope to the Lower 48. Quote
of the day (posted 11/25/04) US utilities
face challenges on BPL as regulators mull policy suggestions (posted
11/25/04) While there are still questions about the regulatory treatment of broadband
over power line (BPL) service at the state level, both US federal and state
regulators are going out of their way to say they do not intend to stifle
broadband deployment with restrictive regulations. Wisconsin
Energy takes 'another step' in plan to build power plants (posted
11/25/04) Wisconsin Energy Corp. won another round in its quest to build
two coal-fired power plants in Oak Creek. New poll
confirms Canadians want Green Power (posted 11/25/04) Eighty-seven per cent of Canadian voters support the use of
green power as a source of electricity. "It's time for Canada's
federal and provincial governments to develop aggressive policies to promote the
use of green power," said Ken Ogilvi Importing LNG
risky says rival (posted 11/25/04) State power company boss Keith Turner is damning a proposal to import
liquefied natural gas to fuel power stations as disastrous for the New Zealand
economy and its people, said importing LNG would "place this country at the
mercy of overseas forces over which we have no control". Lithuania
announces shutdown of nuclear plant (posted 11/25/04) The nuclear plant, which produces about 80 per cent of
electricity consumed in Lithuania, is a Chernobyl-type plant with high-power
pressure-tube reactors. The reactors are considered unsafe by the West. Other
Nations Resist U.S. Delay in Phasing out Ozone-Damaging Chemical (posted
11/25/04) Negotiators for an international treaty to phase out chemicals that harm the
Earth's protective ozone layer are balking at the continued delay the United
States sought in meeting the 1987 treaty's goal for a 2005 ban on methyl
bromide. Arctic States
Agree Vague Plan to Slow Thaw (posted 11/25/04) Eight Arctic countries agreed a vague plan to counter a rapid melt of the
region on Wednesday with indigenous peoples accusing the United States of
blocking stronger action aimed at slowing global warming. Good News Shows
We Can Change (posted 11/25/04) Sometimes, just when you start feeling that everything is hopeless, something
will happen to reaffirm your faith in humanity and our ability to get out of
tight spots. Last week was just one of those times. Groups
Join, Seek Action on Global Warming (posted 11/25/04) More than a dozen conservation and public health advocacy groups joined on
Tuesday to throw their collective support behind further legislative action to
prevent global warming. Drought Fans
Fears of Rice Shortage in Cambodia (posted 11/25/04) Drought has
hit a fifth of Cambodia's rice growing land and the country is worried about
running short of the staple, officials said on Wednesday. Global Warming
Fight to Get Harder From 2012 (posted 11/25/04) Fighting
global warming will get tougher once the Kyoto protocol ends in 2012 and the
world must try to get Washington involved in the long term, the head of the UN
Environment Programme said on Wednesday. Oil Up as US
Winter Stocks Stay Tight (posted 11/25/04) Oil prices
rose on Wednesday as a US government report showed heating fuel stocks in the
world's largest energy consumer remained tight ahead of the winter, despite a
small build in distillate supplies. Forecasters
Expect Cooler-Than-Normal US Winter (posted 11/25/04) This is not
a brutally cold winter coming up, but it is (going to be) colder than normal in
the east part of the United States, (and) to the South Bi-Coastal
Warming Plans Take Shape in Kyoto - Less US (posted 11/25/04) Experts say
nascent regulatory developments in both East Coast and West Coast states that
would limit emissions and form cap-and-trade carbon markets could one day force
the federal government's hand in forming a national law regulating carbon. Company Plans
First Texas Fuel Ethanol Plant (posted 11/25/04) In a state
legendary for its oil industry, a company is planning to begin construction
early next year of the first plant in Texas to make non-petrochemical,
pollution-reducing ethanol. No Sign of El
Nino in Pacific For Now (posted 11/25/04) Sea
temperatures in the southeastern Pacific show no sign of bringing extreme
"El Nino" weather conditions in the next two months, Affordable
Solar Power Benefits Thousands in India (posted 11/24/04) In India, the potentially huge market for solar energy is not being fully
penetrated due to the lack of availability, affordability and reliability of
renewables. To overcome the obstacles to widespread adoption, there is a need to
reduce costs to enable the government to subsidise effectively, train people and
provide easy access to finance. Bio-oil
Business Looks to Canada's First Nations (posted 11/24/04) DynaMotive Energy Systems and Potlatch Creations have created an alliance to
work for the development of bio-oil projects on aboriginal traditional lands. Canada
should commit C$2.2 billion to renewables (posted 11/24/04) Government should also establish Green Energy Production Incentives, similar
to WPPI but to promote the adoption of solar, wave, tidal, hydro and biogas,
with incentives structured to reflect the marginal development costs of each
technology. Clean
Diesel Fuel Will Be Available, but Costly, in Alaska (posted
11/24/04) The new clean fuels are mandated by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
rules. These rules have caused concern among trucking firms and others operating
diesel engines that there may be problems getting the fuel in Alaska. Coal to remain
dominant U.S. Power Fuel (posted 11/24/04) Power providers could spend up to $64 billion to achieve government-mandated
clean-air requirements, but the rules should not affect coal's status as the
dominant U.S. fuel source, a new report said on Monday. EERC
Awarded $2.3 Million Mercury Research Project (posted 11/24/04) to test promising control technologies for removing
mercury from coal-fired power plants burning Texas lignites. Environmental
groups seek to overturn coal plant air permits (posted 11/24/04) In their appeal, the Sierra Club and Grand Canyon Trust argued the proposed
plants pose a threat to public health and "vistas in Utah's national
parks." The groups said they are challenging two Prevention of Significant
Deterioration permits approved last month by the DAQ. EU pushes
offshore wind to meet 2010 renewables target (posted 11/24/04) European Union member states are pushing offshore wind and other renewable Harnessing
Canada's Wind Resources (posted 11/24/04) It is estimated that the wind resources in Nunavik alone could produce 40% of
the country's electricity needs. In early 2004, there was enough electricity
produced in Canada from wind turbines to power approximately 100,000 homes. High Oil
Prices Push US to Look at Oil Shale (posted 11/24/04) The US
government said Tuesday it was ready to resurrect oil shale drilling in the
Rocky Mountains, a technology heralded 30 years ago to boost America's energy
output until it failed financially. Hydrogen to be
produced from wind turbine at South Pole (posted 11/24/04) “The ultimate aim is to be able to run the station and all the field camps
without the use of any fossil fuels,” say officials at the site. “We believe
this may be the first attempt to use hydrogen as a major energy source in
Antarctica.” IdaTech
Unveils Portable Fuel Cell System at 2004 Fuel Cell Seminar (posted
11/24/04) The entire fuel cell system, including reformer and
hydrogen purification module is about the size of a large lunch box, measuring
about 12 by 8 by 6 inches. Its fuel is a prepackaged methanol-water mixture,
which provides a highly compact and long lasting source of power. Announces
International Development Contracts for Multi-Megawatt Wind Energy (posted
11/24/04) Under the Terms of Those Contracts, U.S. Wind Farming, Inc.
Will Produce Electricity and Hydrogen for the Residential, Commercial and
Transportation Industry Landfill gas
becomes first GHG reduction project registered under CDM (posted
11/24/04) The Clean Development Mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol has approved its first
project: a facility that converts landfill gas to energy. Maine Firms
Go Green, Too (posted 11/24/04) The temperature dipped into the 30s and gray clouds swarmed high in the sky
one recent afternoon, but the few hours of sunlight that peeked through were
sufficient to generate enough hot water for a busy night at the Washboard
Laundry. Nanotechnology
Enabled Portable Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (posted 11/24/04) NanoDynamics has introduced a new portable solid oxide
fuel cell. The Revolution 50 has been designed for a wide range of applications Nuclear Energy
Belongs in the Technology Museum (posted 11/24/04) "Nuclear energy is still too expensive and too dangerous. Huge
amounts of water are needed in a time of increasing water shortage. Uranium
supplies are limited. In Europe $1 trillion was spent on nuclear research while
renewable energy fell by the wayside." Oil Spill
Halts Output at Terra Nova Oil Project (posted 11/24/04) Up to 1,000
barrels of crude from the offshore Newfoundland venture leaked into the Atlantic
Ocean on Sunday when equipment that separates water from the oil malfunctioned One
Year Later, Green Building Proves Itself (posted 11/24/04) "This building is proof that new structures can be built without
requiring significant energy for heating and cooling." OPEC has no
plans to adopt euro for crude sales (posted 11/24/04) OPEC has no plans to ask buyers to pay for its crude in euros as a result of Power
plant's danger to farms cited at hearing (posted 11/24/04) A public hearing called by the
Lane County Board of Commissioners over the controversial West Cascade Energy
LLC natural gas-fired power plant drew more than three dozen opponents and no
supporters. Reactor at
Wisconsin nuclear plant is closed (posted 11/24/04) One of the two reactors at the Point Beach nuclear plant was
shut down last week to fix a leaking steam pipe. Renewables
receive Euro 5.3 billion of energy subsidies in Europe (posted
11/24/04) “Despite significant emissions of carbon dioxide and residual air
pollutants emanating from the burning of fossil fuels, the amount of fossil fuel
subsidies remains high, particularly for coal,” the report notes. “Support
for renewable energy, which is on balance considered environmentally beneficial,
is increasing steadily through the introduction of regulatory support
mechanisms.” Russia's
Ratification of Kyoto Climate Treaty 'Historic' (posted 11/24/04) Formal Handing Over of Accession Papers Made at
Security Council Meeting Event Marks Countdown for Global Warming Agreement
Entering into Legal Force Southern
China's Guangdong Orders Closure of Hydropower Plants to Save Water (posted
11/24/04) More than 100 hydroelectric plants in southern China have been ordered shut
to preserve water for farming amid an extended severe drought. Super power
generator operational (posted 11/24/04) China's first domestically-manufactured 600-megawatt super-
critical power generator commenced operations yesterday in Huaneng Qinbei Power
Plant in Central China's Henan Province. Compared with traditional technology, the super-critical power
generators burn coal under higher pressure at higher temperatures, and are more
efficient. UK-based
group offers Euro 1 million to renewable energy projects (posted
11/24/04) Funding of Euro 1 million will be made available to fund renewable energy
projects around the world. Wind group
calls for level playing field for renewables (posted 11/24/04) Competition is “far from being effective” in the European Internal
Electricity Market, where 95% is based on conventional power sources and 5% on
new renewables, including 2.4% from wind. Wind-Power
Capacity Reaches Record Levels (posted 11/24/04) NEARLY three times as much wind-power capacity has been installed across the
UK in 2004 compared to 2003, spelling a record year for the rapidly expanding
and increasingly controversial industry. "As soon as we have security, we will start to build
capacity. We have huge oilfields and we will develop them with the help of Arab
and foreign investors,"
energy_challenge_2004
Petroleum (posted 11/23/04) For the first weeks of the recent price surge, most writers were trying to
lay blame on OPEC for acting like robbers. In fact, as analysts are now
beginning to realize, prices have gone up in 2 stages. The first in 2003 was
simply due to the weak dollar. During that stage, the price in Euros barely
budged. The second (2004) is due to WW demand outstripping supply, aggravated by
security concerns. Iraqi southern
oil exports to resume fully (posted 11/23/04) "When it was fixed we will tell you." US Congress
says FERC has sole jurisdiction over LNG terminals (posted 11/23/04) The US Congress, responding to the California Public Utilities Commission's Former PSC
Chairmen Call on Legislature to Fix Broken Electric Choice Law (posted
11/23/04) Two former Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) chairmen
-- Dan Demlow and Steven Fetter -- have joined leaders of Citizens for Long-term
Energy Affordability and Reliability (CLEAR) to urge legislators to address
structural problems with the current electric choice system. Full steam ahead (posted
11/23/04) The chemical industry has been a major consumer of electricity since the
1930s, and for all this time, it's also been a user of combined heat and power
plants. The technology makes perfect sense - chemical plants invariably consume
large amounts of steam, all year round, as the main method of providing heat to
the process. Speaker touts
alternative power (posted 11/23/04) The family harnesses its own power not only because of
the costs of electricity, but because they say it's better for the environment.
Nicholson said the emissions generated by energy plants hurt the environment,
and he wanted to come up with a way to not contribute to that system. More
wind, solar power on the way (posted 11/23/04) By the year 2020, 18 percent of Pennsylvania's energy
will have to come from alternative sources - such as wind, solar and waste coal
- under a bill passed Saturday night by the House and Senate. Research May
Lead To Improved Fuel Cell Design (posted 11/23/04) Produced images revealing
how water behaves inside hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells generate
electricity through simple chemical reactions. Hydrogen molecules pumped into
one side of a fuel cell react with platinum, breaking into constituent protons
and electrons. The electrons leave the fuel cell via wire to power a computer or
propel a car, before returning to the oxygen side of the fuel cell. DOE to
miss its Yucca deadline (posted 11/23/04) It was the first time the department has said it
will not meet its goal of turning in the application by the end of 2004. Russia,
South Africa sign atomic energy cooperation agreement (posted 11/23/04) "The agreement permits the supply of nuclear energy
technology for peaceful purposes, in particular medicine Solar Plan
Energizes Cathedral City (posted 11/23/04) Cathedral City has become the first city in the Coachella Valley to
capitalize on a resource that has been available to all the valley cities since,
well, eons before they existed as municipalities. Mercury
Control Costs Could Damage Industry (posted 11/23/04) Technology isn't readily available to control mercury emissions from power
plants. Some energy officials see movement toward mercury regulations as
premature and costly to West Virginia power stations, the coal industry and
recipients of coal-severance tax revenues. Canada's
Terra Nova Oil Project Shut After Spill (posted 11/23/04) Canada's
second-largest offshore oil project, Terra Nova, has been shut down after a
mechanical problem caused oil to spill into the Atlantic Ocean Ship
Malfunction Causes Oil Spill off Egypt Coast (posted 11/23/04) A Maltese
tanker leaked oil into the Mediterranean off Egypt's north coast on Saturday
because of a technical problem. Local authorities were cleaning up the
spill and had no plans to close ports on Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Indonesians
Protest Against Garbage Dump (posted 11/23/04) Indonesian
police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of demonstrators
who blocked roads and set buildings ablaze in protest against a new garbage
processing centre in their neighbourhood. Biofuels Seen
Key to UK Farming Future (posted 11/23/04) Biofuels
could become a major revenue earner for Britain's arable farmers within 5-10
years, but much will depend on government support. Activists
to Race Giant "Floating Faeces" Down Thames (posted 11/23/04) Two teams
of rowers wearing gas masks and each towing a giant inflatable representing
faeces will race each other down the River, to protest what they see as a lack
of investment in London's antiquated sewers. North Dakota
Experimental Forest a Surprise Success (posted 11/23/04) The 636-acre Denbigh Experimental Forest was established in 1931 by the
federal government to test which types of trees would survive the harsh climate
and sandy soils of the upper Midwest. Religion Can
Be Powerful Tool for Protecting Ecology (posted 11/23/04) Religion can be used to mobilize people to protect the environment because
spirituality is closely linked to nature, members of a panel on faith-based
conservation said last week. Asian CEOs
Warned of Threat from Climate Change (posted 11/23/04) More severe tropical cyclones, heatwaves and a dramatic shift in rainfall
patterns could batter Asia by the end of the century as its factories boom, a
leading climate expert told Asian chief executives on Friday. Congress
Considering Destructive Water Bill in Lame Duck Session (posted 11/23/04) lawmakers are considering passage of a fiscally
wasteful and environmentally destructive authorization of water projects at a
time of record-breaking deficits, the National Wildlife Federation warned today. No Evidence
Ozone Layer is Recovering (posted 11/23/04) Mexico's Nobel Prize-winning chemist Mario Molina said Friday that despite
recent measures scientists still don't have evidence that the ozone layer is
recovering. Great Lakes
Region Ponders How to Keep Its Precious Waters Safe (posted 11/23/04) When a Canadian company floated the idea of hauling Lake Superior water
aboard huge tankers to parched sections of Asia, the reaction hereabouts
resembled the fury of the region's infamous November gales. Controlled
Flood Set at Grand Canyon (posted 11/23/04) Officials plan to release a controlled flood, opening four giant steel tubes
at the base of the dam and sending a torrent down the Colorado and into the
canyon. An estimated 800,000 metric tons of sediment will be stirred up during
its 90-hour run. Seven years or 70 (posted
11/23/04) A team of
Australian scientists expects their work with titanium oxide ceramics said to
harvest sunlight and split water to produce hydrogen fuel Keeping the
lights on no longer cuts it (posted 11/23/04) Normally we think
of reliability as keeping the lights on but that's not enough in a digital
economy, EPRI CEO Kurt Yeager told us. What does
electrifying the world really mean? (posted 11/23/04) "Civilizations
and basically all living species ultimately depend on energy. Approaching Zero (posted
11/22/04) Imagine living in a home where the electricity meter sometimes runs backward,
making you a net producer of electricity. As
Ice Thaws, Arctic Peoples at Loss for Words (posted 11/22/04) Many
indigenous languages have no words for legions of new animals, insects and
plants advancing north as global warming thaws the polar ice and lets forests
creep over tundra. Conservation
Goals Are Plan for Success (posted 11/22/04) Northwest utilities and their customers have reduced projected demand for
electricity by 2,500 megawatts over the last 20 years. That's enough juice to
light up two and a half cities the size of Seattle. Danish
energy industry sets renewables target of 30% by 2025 (posted 11/22/04) Denmark's energy industry has set itself the target to increase the share of
energy from renewable sources in the Danish energy sector to 30% by 2025 from
the current 12% Declining
coal stockpiles to boost gas demand: Jefferies analyst (posted 11/22/04) Coal inventories are being depleted more quickly than they can be
replenished, which means some electric utilities increasingly will rely on
underutilized gas-fired generators Electric
Utilities Eye Broadband Rollouts (posted 11/22/04) Executives at some electric utilities pointed last week to a variety of
potential IT and business benefits that could be gained from emerging broadband
over power line (BPL) capabilities, including improved support for applications
such as load forecasting. Greens
declare war on Blair for `failures' over climate change (posted 11/22/04) BRITAIN'S LEADING environmental organisation dramatically
withdrew support from Tony Blair yesterday over climate change, saying he could
not be trusted to reduce global warming. Grid West
supporters write Congress to counter strong opposition (posted 11/22/04) Seeking to win congressional support for a controversial plan to create the
Grid West transmission operator in the Pacific Northwest, utilities involved in
the project sent a barrage of letters to skeptical lawmakers this month N.
American electricity called adequate for winter (posted 11/22/04) North America's electricity producers are expected to meet demand for
electricity this winter and perform reliably, an industry-oversight group said
Friday. N.C.
files notice to sue EPA over plant emissions (posted 11/22/04) North Carolina's attorney
general plans to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to force it to
require lower emissions from coal-fired power plants in 13 other states. NWF
says mercury control costs are negligible, industry disagrees (posted
11/22/04) A report by the National Wildlife Federation released earlier this month
concluded that older coal-burning power plants can be retrofitted with
technology to cut mercury emissions at a cost of about "one cup of coffee
per household per month," but federal regulators and the power industry
said the report wrongly calculates the economics of pollution controls, which
they said currently have no guarantees. Oil Prices
Regain Momentum (posted 11/22/04) Production edged higher, but the jump in production was insufficient to
offset the decline in imports and strong demand OPEC should
not cut output unless it wants prices up again (posted 11/22/04) The fall in oil prices since mid-October does not mean the beginning of a
price slide, and OPEC should not cut output unless it wants to push prices back
up again Passage of
Clean Energy Bill Revolutionizes Electricity Industry (posted 11/22/04) This legislation will create thousands of manufacturing and construction
jobs, attract billions in private investment to Pennsylvania, stimulate local
tax bases, help clean our air and water, provide incentives to reclaim piles of
coal waste at abandoned mines, spur energy conservation and actually lower
electricity prices by creating a greater, more diverse supply of electricity. Petrobras
Finds Oil Leak on Sea Floor off Brazil (posted 11/22/04) Brazil's
state-run oil company Petrobras said on Friday it found an oil leak on the sea
floor in Marlin Sul, which is expected to become the company's main off-shore
producing field. Renewable-Energy
Amendment Raises Questions for State Utilities (posted 11/22/04) From fighting the state legislature to relentlessly gathering signatures
during the hot summer months, it has been one long struggle to put
renewable-energy issues on the ballot. Russia Accused
of Theft as YUKOS Oil Auction Set (posted 11/22/04) Russia pressed ahead on Friday with the last step in the destruction of
YUKOS, saying it will auction the oil major's main Siberian unit on Dec. 19 for
$8.65 billion and hit it with a new tax claim. Russian
authorities raid homes of Yukos employees (posted 11/22/04) Russia's authorities have launched wide-scale searches of offices and homes
of Yukos management, adding to the company's fears that the government is on the
verge of increasing still further the ferocity of its assault on the oil
producer with a spate of personal criminal charges against its staff. Scientists See
Hope Amid Coral Doom and Gloom (posted 11/22/04) Even though
nearly two thirds of coral reefs are now officially endangered, some are
bouncing back despite warmer oceans and pollution, giving hope the marine
marvels are not completely doomed Shortage of
Rain May Lead to Power Outages in Northeast Thailand (posted 11/22/04) The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) has warned that
drought conditions in the Northeast could affect power generation next year. SunPower's
Solar Cells Designed Into Futuristic 'BioHaus' Building Facade (posted
11/22/04) SunPower's A-300 silicon solar cells -- which generate 25-30 percent more
power than conventional solar cells -- were encapsulated between sheets of glass
by Saint Gobain Glass Solar and integrated into the building's rounded south
facade. US firms could
benefit from Libya (posted 11/22/04) Libya's efforts to revitalize its gas and oil industry could provide ample
business opportunities for US energy companies if they have the patience to
pursue them US Plans Would
Defer Roan Plateau Drilling (posted 11/22/04) The Bush
administration has marked the Rocky Mountains as an area where it wants to see
more oil and gas development to lessen domestic reliance on imported energy but
environmental groups have been fighting the plans. Utilities
Score High in Diversity (posted 11/22/04) Utilities across the nation put in a strong showing in Fortune's top 50 list
for the most diverse companies. Sempra Energy, Southern California Edison, PNM
Resources, PG&E Corporation, Consolidated Edison, DTE Energy, and Pepco all
made the top 50. Water problems
force layoff at American Coal (posted 11/22/04) Since it opened more than two years ago as part of AmCoals Galatia
underground mining complex, Millennium has been plagued by geological woes,
mainly water and roof falls. The company continually pumps water from
Millennium. What's
Moving the Market? (posted 11/22/04) Benchmark sweet crude futures maintained their bullish momentum during early
trading Monday as concerns about the adequacy of heating oil stocks in light of
cold weather forecasts once again dominated oil market sentiment. Why
the UK energy market isn`t working (posted 11/22/04) London- The UK energy market is suffering from high and volatile gas
wholesale prices and Energywatch is accusing producers of manipulating the
market. Declining
coal stockpiles to boost gas demand: Jefferies analyst (posted 11/22/04) Support
Builds for ACORE "Phase II" Conference (posted 11/19/04) Attention and attendance is mounting for an upcoming renewable energy
conference slated for early December in the Nation's capitol. It is based
largely on transitioning renewable energy technologies from a research and
development phase to a mass deployment and implementation phase. San Diego RFP
Envisions Over One MW Solar PV (posted 11/19/04) The City of San Diego is seeking a firm, or a team of firms, to provide cost
effective solar photovoltaic (PV) electric generating systems at eight city
sites. Renewable
Energy Takes a Back Seat to Hydrogen (posted 11/19/04) Today, almost all hydrogen is produced via steam
reforming of natural gas at oil refineries. Free Solar PV
Systems Offered in Connecticut (posted 11/19/04) Yeah, it caught our attention too. It's all part of the Connecticut Clean
Energy Fund's (CCEF) new program - Connecticut's Clean Energy Communities. Energy Hiring Hot Spots (posted
11/19/04) America is digging deep for coal miners.
The Gulf of Mexico is desperate for oil platform workers and
petro-engineers to rebuild after a horrendous hurricane season.
Natural gas producers from Alaska to the Southwest and beyond are vying
for experienced field hands who can help squeeze more fossil fuels out of the
earth while prices are high and the demand is increasing. And the electricity business, well, it needs just about
every power engineer it can muster right now. Yukos
warns of further 'theft' of Yukos' assets (posted 11/17/04) Yukos Friday denounced the Russian government's planned sale of
Yuganskneftegaz as "clearly illegal," said the starting bid price bore
no resemblance to the unit's true value, and warned that selling off Yugansk at
a low price increased the likelihood of further "artificial" sales of
Yukos assets to meet "artificial" tax bills. OPEC revises
2005 demand for its crude below 28-mil b/d (posted 11/17/04) OPEC has revised its estimate of demand for crude produced by its eleven
members next year plus movements in and out of stocks downwards by 140,000 b/d Approving new
gas storage projects, US FERC touts flexibility (posted 11/17/04) Highlighting the application of rate flexibility to promote infrastructure
development, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday cleared the
way for operation of new gas storage capacity in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast
regions. Melting
Glaciers Threaten World Water Supply (posted 11/17/04) Around 75 percent of the world's fresh water is stored in glacial ice, much
of it in mountain areas, allowing for heavy winter rain and snow-falls to be
released gradually into river networks throughout summer or dry months. Brazil Trains
Environmental Police to Guard Amazon (posted 11/17/04) Ranks of young camouflage-clad federal police agents lined up in a rain
forest clearing to learn how to raid illegal mining and squatter camps, nab
foreigners stealing plant and animal species and shoot straight in the jungle. Russia
Formally Notifies U.N. of Kyoto Acceptance (posted 11/17/04) Russia formally notified the United Nations on Thursday of its acceptance of
the Kyoto Protocol on global warming, starting a three-month countdown for the
long-debated 1997 pact to come into force. Soy
Story: On the Environmental Impacts of Soy (posted 11/17/04) As of 2004, 85 percent of the U.S. soy crop was genetically modified,
accounting for some 63.6 million acres of soybeans. Canada Must
Consult Natives in Land Disputes (posted 11/17/04) In
its two unanimous decisions, the court said that while governments are obliged
to try to reach an accommodation with natives when there are disputes, natives
do not have a veto over land-use plans, and forestry and mining companies have
no obligation to consult with natives. US
Winter Weather Mixed Bag - NOAA (posted 11/17/04) Winter
weather in the United States, affected by a weak El Nino, will be warmer in the
West and cooler and wetter in the South and Southeast, forecasters predicted
Thursday. NASA's
Eyes in the Sky to Help Global Conservation (posted 11/17/04) Space
agency NASA, which first put man on the moon, will now help to map the Earth in
the name of conservation, the agency announced on Thursday. Greens
Paint Grim Picture of Future, Warmer World (posted 11/17/04) Environmentalists
forecast a grim future for planet Earth on Thursday, predicting that droughts,
heatwaves and hurricanes will become increasingly common and more severe if
global warming is allowed to continue unchecked. Accelerating
Distributed Power in New York (posted 11/17/04) "We are making it possible to accommodate even larger power
generating units, while also opening up all of the local utility delivery
systems in the state to such connections to provide more choice and flexibility
to customers." Biggest US gas
consuming body says high gas price kills industry (posted 11/17/04) The American Chemistry Council, representing the largest industrial consumers
of natural gas, has called on the US government to open up more areas of the
Outer Continental Shelf for gas exploration saying high natural gas prices were
destroying the industry's competitiveness. Biologist
Seeks Wolves' Return to Rockies (posted 11/17/04) A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist says returning wolves to the Rocky
Mountains is "a chance to undo a great wrong" done when wolves were
exterminated from about 98 percent of their range by the mid-1900s. Bush
Victory Gives U.S. Nuclear Power Industry Hope for New Plants (posted
11/17/04) For the first time in 20 years, the American nuclear power industry is
hopeful it can build a new reactor inside the United States. Construction
Under Way on Hydrogen Power Project (posted 11/17/04) The Chewonki Foundation has started construction on a $240,000 demonstration
project designed to use renewable energy to generate hydrogen and power fuel
cells for electricity production. Countries Join
Partnership to Harness Methane (posted 11/17/04) "Countries participating in the Methane to Markets Partnership are
expected to undertake activities aimed at capturing and using methane emitted
from landfills, coalmines, and oil and gas systems." Critics
raise doubts about Japan's need for fast-breeder nuclear reactors (posted
11/17/04) The building of fast-breeder reactors became the cornerstone of the national
nuclear energy policy. They use plutonium extracted from spent uranium fuel and
can produce more fissionable material than they consume. Emissions
Reductions Beyond Renewable Energy (posted 11/17/04) Reductions on the manufacturing side will come from transitioning its rail
facility in Pennsylvania from coal power to fuels that produce less greenhouse
gas emissions. Energy
Legislation: Smaller is Better (posted 11/17/04) Lobbyists left behind when Congress failed to pass President Bush's energy
bill will probably have a chance to catch up next year. Passage of the
legislation was one of the administration's major unmet priorities during its
first four years. GE
Global Research lands $11M in hydrogen research funds (posted 11/17/04) The programs are focused on near- and long-term
solutions for the production of hydrogen with sustainable, clean technologies. Green power
could generate 150 TWh by 2025 in Canada (posted 11/17/04) Canada could install 41,400 MW of green power capacity by 2025, or 150TWh
which is half of the country’s electricity generation Hydrogen Hijacked (posted
11/17/04) Make no mistake about it, the visions being mapped out for a hydrogen
economy on both sides of the Atlantic provide an excuse for the revival of
nuclear and give environmental legitimacy to fossil fuels." Hydrogen Hits the
Autobahn (posted 11/17/04) According to the press release, BMW favors liquefied hydrogen because it
boasts a higher energy density and gives vehicles a greater driving range. Melting Swiss
Glaciers Threaten Alps (posted 11/17/04) Melting glaciers caused by climate change pose an urgent threat to Mount
Everest's unique environment OPEC funds
renewables to reduce poverty in western Asia (posted 11/17/04) A project funded by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will
integrate renewable energy resources into the life pattern of poor rural
communities. Solar thermal
capacity three times higher than wind (posted 11/17/04) Solar thermal systems provide 70,000 MWh of thermal energy around the world
which is equivalent to three times current wind energy capacity according to a
new report. Ten Honda
Hydrogen Cars on Road (posted 11/17/04) The city of Chula Vista in California has become the latest municipality to
test the Honda fuel cell FCX vehicle in daily operations. U.S.
agency handbook helps regulators support renewable energies (posted
11/17/04) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed a handbook to assist
air regulators to develop emissions regulations that recognize the pollution
prevention benefits of renewable energy technologies. U.S.
invests $14 billion in renewables since oil crisis (posted 11/17/04) The United States has invested US$14 billion in renewable energy technology
in the past 30 years, according to a former assistant secretary of energy. Ultra-Low
Emissions Fuel Cell To Feed Power to Local Distribution System (posted
11/17/04) Caterpillar Inc, FuelCell Energy, Inc. and the city of Westerville, Ohio,
have reached an important milestone, bringing on-line one of the first
utility-scale fuel cell power plants in North America that will feed power to
consumers from a substation. Wave Energy
Device Nears Deployment (posted 11/17/04) While more entrenched renewable energy technologies like wind power have
settled on a particular design for success -- large towers with horizontal-axis
wind turbines consisting of three blades -- quixotic wave and ocean energy
entrepreneurs are still exploring the seemingly infinite possibility of designs. White House
asks Congress to come to Yucca Mountain project (posted 11/17/04) The White House has asked the US Congress to help the administration overcome
two potential obstacles to the Energy Dept's plan to build a high-level nuclear
waste repository in Nevada World's
largest solar concentrator systems to be built at US laboratory (posted
11/17/04) Sandia National Laboratories and Stirling Energy Systems of Phoenix will
build six new solar dishes that will make a 150 kW power plant. Abraham
resignation letter says leaving for family reasons (posted 11/16/04) cited family issues as his primary reason for his impending departure.
Abraham said he will stay in his post until his successor can be confirmed.
"One of the challenges of public life is properly balancing the demands of
one's job with the family and personal commitments one faces ACC
Hopefuls Debate Other Energy (posted 11/16/04) Arizona Corporation Commission hopeful Carl Seel wants to scrap the
requirement for Arizona utilities to generate at least 1.1 percent of their
power from alternative sources. Another
Ontario reactor shut down (posted 11/16/04) Another reactor has been shut down at an Ontario nuclear generating station
taking the total to seven out of commission and leading to increased electricity
imports. Arizona
senator calls Bush policy on carbon dioxide 'disgraceful' (posted
11/16/04) McCain said he will examine climate change initiatives offered Atlantis Hunt
Reveals Structures in Sea Off Cyprus (posted 11/16/04) An American
researcher on the trail of the lost city of Atlantis has discovered evidence of
man-made structures submerged in the sea between Cyprus and Syria, Australia
Faces Weather Blitz from Warming (posted 11/16/04) Australia
could expect more frequent droughts, heatwaves, rainstorms and strong winds
because of greenhouse gas-induced climate change, the country's main science
research body warned on Monday. Chemicals
Linger in Environment (posted 11/16/04) The chemicals go down the drain, but in the environment they remain.
Researchers have found that a complex brew of everyday compounds -- from
products as ubiquitous as shampoo, bug spray and even that morning cup of coffee
-- lingers in Minnesota waters even after they're showered off or dumped down
the sink. Climate Change
Already Affecting the Global Environment (posted 11/16/04) Global warming has had little noticeable impact in Washington, D.C.
Politicians in the nation's capital have been reluctant to set limits on the
carbon dioxide pollution that is expected to warm the planet by 4 to 7 degrees
Fahrenheit during the next century, citing uncertainty about the severity of the
threat. Conservationists
Fear for Congo (posted 11/16/04) The
Democratic Republic of Congo has some 250 million acres of rainforest, most of
which has remained untouched. A moratorium on new logging rights in the world's
second largest rainforest was imposed in 2002. Democrats,
Greens Aim to Overturn Bush Forest Plan (posted 11/16/04) Democrats and environmental groups Monday expressed hope that changes in the
Bush administration Cabinet could moderate a White House plan to open some 60
million acres of federal forests to logging. Despite recent price
drop no predicting future crude move (posted 11/16/04) Despite crude prices falling almost $9 from all-time highs, it is difficult
to Governments
must rethink renewable support schemes (posted 11/16/04) Renewable energies need market-based support solutions if they are to survive
long term, an industry organisation promoting the use of 'green' certificates
said Tuesday. Great Day for Bio Fuels
(posted 11/16/04) This is a major victory for alternative fuels like
biodiesel and ethanol, which reduce CO2 emissions. Greenpeace
Hails Bayer India GM Pullout (posted 11/16/04) Environment
pressure group Greenpeace said on Monday it welcomed news that leading crop
technology company Bayer had pulled out of genetic modification trials in India
to focus on conventional plant breeding. Group
calls for ‘urban’ renewable focus (posted 11/16/04) Environmental campaign group Friends of the Earth has called for more
renewable energy facilities to be set up in towns and cities across the UK, in
order to match the level of countryside development and maximise the potential
of the technology. Groups Sue EPA
For Failing to Protect Children from Rat Poisons (posted 11/16/04) The Environmental Protection Agency has failed to
protect children from exposure to chemical rat poisons, according to a lawsuit
filed today Harbor
Research Announces New Study of the Pervasive Internet (posted 11/16/04) The study offers a complete portrayal of the adoption climate, technology
issues, business models and revenue opportunities arising from the convergence
of device networking, wireless sensors, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication
and the Internet Hollywood Goes Organic
(posted 11/16/04) Eighty presenters and award winners will receive
organic goodies including personal lubricant, deodorant, chocolate, roses and
coffee.“Entertainers are increasingly vocalizing their concern for
environmental issues, Hydrogen Pump
Station Using Air Products Equipment Opens in Washington (posted
11/16/04) A showcase hydrogen fueling station using technology from the Lehigh Valley
opened Wednesday in Washington, D.C., in a bid to convince Capitol
decision-makers that hydrogen is America's most promising future fuel. IEA'S
Mandil says market well supplied, crude to ease further (posted 11/16/04) The International Energy Agency is "happy" to see a downslide in
crude prices and expects a further drop Innovative
Energy forms joint venture to construct clean energy power plant (posted
11/16/04) The new clean energy plant will enable Norwood Foundry to generate six times
more electricity than it consumes at its foundry located in Nisku, Alberta,
Canada. Enviromentalists
Ask For Louisiana Refinery Monitoring (posted 11/16/04) Environmentalists
who are suing a Louisiana refinery for alleged violations of the U.S Clean Air
Act called on Tuesday for the state's government to place additional monitoring
equipment around the plant. Florida gas
company wants state to approve hurricane surcharge (posted 11/16/04) Florida Public Utilities Co. said this week it would ask state
regulators for permission to tack on a monthly surcharge to recover the amount
it spent during the August and September hurricanes. Foundation
stone laid for pilot sisal biogas power plant (posted 11/16/04) When complete, the power plant will generate more than 30 megawatts of
electricity which is the current total electricity consumption of the Tanga
region, one of Tanzania's 26 province- like administrative areas. Fuel-Cell
Maker Knows It Will Lose Money with Product at First (posted 11/16/04) But MTI -- which expects to be the first company in the world to successfully
commercialize micro fuel cells with the sales -- said losing money at first is
necessary when building an industry from the ground up. Global
coal demand up, mining surging (posted 11/16/04) Strong demand for coal from China and India is driving coal production to
record levels, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. Global methane
partnership hopes to save 500-bil cu ft/year gas (posted 11/16/04) International cooperation in reducing methane (natural gas) emissions could Iran and EU
Reach Agreement in Nuclear Talks (posted 11/16/04) Iran said
on Sunday it had submitted a letter to the United Nations' atomic watchdog
announcing it would suspend uranium enrichment activities as part of a deal with
the EU to avoid possible U.N. Security Council sanctions. Iraqi oil
exports halted to Ceyhan as violence escalates (posted 11/16/04) Iraqi oil exports to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan have stopped
following a series of attacks against the country's energy infrastructure as US
forces engage Iraqi insurgents in Sunni Muslim-dominated areas. "Nothing is
being pumped to the north Male Fish
Becoming Female from Estrogen (posted 11/16/04) In Colorado's rivers and streams, what scientists have discovered in the
white sucker fish worries even veteran scientists. Melting Swiss
Glaciers Threaten Alps (posted 11/16/04) Switzerland's
glaciers are melting faster than expected, shrinking by as much as one-fifth of
their size over the 1985-2000 period alone Miners Seek
Fortune In Uranium (posted 11/16/04) Uranium is
suddenly the hottest topic in the high-stakes mining industry in the
mineral-rich country that is home to the world's richest deposit. Monitors to
track air quality near South San Jose (posted 11/16/04) Equipment to monitor the air quality around the Metcalf power plant began
going up Monday in South San Jose, apparently ending a battle between Calpine --
which is building the 600-megawatt, gas-fired facility -- and residents
concerned about pollution. Natural
gas used to heat 57% of US homes in 2003 (posted 11/16/04) The second most popular home heating source was electricity, used New EU energy
commissioner candidate toes the EC line (posted 11/16/04) The new European Union energy commissioner candidate, Latvian Andris
Piebalgs, followed the official European Commission line under questioning from
European parliamentarians late Monday. "Everybody in Europe would like to
see more efficient energy use, more renewables and more and stable energy
supply. New York
widening retail competition to set major example (posted 11/16/04) The New York PSC
in August dramatically approved its long-expected new energy policy creating a
transitional energy market North Dakota
Democrats float renewable energy bill (posted 11/16/04) a "Comprehensive Renewable Energy Initiative." They say
they'll introduce it as an appropriations bill early in the Legislature. Nuclear-Power
Industry Sees Signs of a Revival (posted 11/16/04) The nuclear-power industry is laying the groundwork to build new plants in
the U.S. for the first time in more than two decades. Oil prices
continue slide on eased supply concerns (posted 11/16/04) Oil prices continued to decline Monday on the back of an apparent easing of
any lingering concerns over crude oil supplies, and with a sign of some movement
on the potential re-escalation of Nigerian labor strife. Part
1: Hydrogen as Transport Fuel (posted 11/16/04) The recent and apparently continuing surge in oil and gas prices has
stimulated fresh interest in the hydrogen economy. But the concept is
surprisingly controversial. "The hydrogen economy" encapsulates a
vision of hydrogen as a superior successor to fossil fuels for serving the world’s
energy needs. Radium—Taken
Out of Water but Put on Land and in Rivers (posted 11/16/04) Dozens of northeastern Illinois communities are stripping their drinking
water of cancer-causing radium, only to dump the radioactive element back into
the environment in sludge spread on farm fields and wastewater pumped into
rivers and streams Saudis
slip to No 2 spot behind Canada on US crude import ladder (posted
11/16/04) Saudi Arabia slipped back to second place behind Canada on the US crude
import ladder for September, data released Monday by the US Energy Information
Administration showed. Short-Term
Ozone Pollution Raises Mortality Risk (posted 11/16/04) When ozone
goes up in cities, even for short periods at levels below current regulatory
standards, so does the death rate Soft
Energy Pathfinder: Who Needs Oil, Anyway? (posted 11/16/04) Amory Lovins drives a hybrid that gets 64 miles per gallon and lives in a
solar-powered house that is so energy-efficient he's able to grow bananas in an
indoor jungle high in the Colorado Rockies. Study Links
Smog Increases to Urban US Deaths (posted 11/16/04) Increases
in air pollution caused by cars, power plants and industry can be directly
linked to higher death rates in US cities Tapping the Power
of Refuse (posted 11/16/04) In a major expansion of "clean-energy" production that may cost
less than purchasing electricity in the wholesale market, Indianapolis based
Wabash Valley Power Association Inc. plans to begin construction by year-end on
two landfill gas-to-electricity power plants. TXU
to shut eight gas-fired power plant units (posted 11/16/04) said its power-generating subsidiary would shut eight aging units
representing a quarter of its natural gas-fired capacity in Texas US
Firm to Build a Gas-Fired Independent Power in Nigeria (posted 11/16/04) "We are determined to ensure stable power supply in Kwara State as part
of efforts to boost industrialisation and provide employment US
Gulf oil output could reach 2-mil b/d by 2006 (posted 11/16/04) More than 100 deepwater development projects have begun production and new
discoveries in the last three years will likely to developed US OKs
Commercial Drilling in Alaska Oil Reserve (posted 11/16/04) The US
Interior Department on Friday gave final approval to a plan by ConocoPhillips
and partner Anadarko Petroleum Corp. to develop five tracts around the oil-rich
Alpine field on Alaska's North Slope. USEC
CEO Calls for Strong National Energy Policy To Power America (posted
11/16/04) today called for Congress and the Bush administration to
develop a strategic national energy policy that will overcome constraints to
expanding, modernizing and diversifying America's electric power generating and
transmission system. What
is the Environmental Impact of an Oil Spill into the Sea? (posted
11/16/04) According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United
States uses approximately 250 billion gallons of petroleum products every year.
With so much demand, it is not surprising that spills do occur during various
stages of production, transportation and distribution. Coalition
Warns That White House is Out-Of-Touch and Irresponsible for its Continued
"Do-Nothing" Climate Change Policy (posted 11/16/04) The Sustainable Energy Coalition today sharply
criticized recent comments by senior White House officials rejecting any limits
on greenhouse gas emissions. Wind in Reserve (posted
11/16/04) Each year, Texas generates more electricity from wind than any state except
California.While researchers have discovered the secret to pulling kilowatts out
of wind in the Lone Star State, they still haven't found a way to make that
power source available at any time. A new process could make that feasible. Whole Foods
Mulls Push Into Organic Clothing (posted 11/13/04) Whole Foods
Market Inc. may sell organic clothes at its supermarkets, a move which could
mark the boldest move yet by a major U.S. retailer to market goods made of
naturally grown fibers. Woes of
Warming Arctic to Echo Worldwide Via Birds (posted 11/13/04) The decline
of migratory birds due to an accelerating Arctic thaw may also disrupt the
delicate ecosystems of their far-flung winter homes from Africa to South America West
Virginia is 'open for business,' coal leaders say (posted 11/13/04) The re-election of President Bush and the defeat of state Supreme Court
Justice Warren McGraw signal good times ahead for coal operators, industry
officials said Wednesday. US
coal prices soar as output declines (posted 11/13/04) coal prices are rising rapidly as unexpected growth in demand this
year is undermined by declining domestic production, according to Standard and
Poor's. A Look Back at
the 2003 Fuel Cell Industry (posted 11/13/04) "While the financial results for the fuel cell sector were mixed for
2003, there are encouraging signs that the industry may soon find its
feet." A Return to
Honest Differences in Arizona (posted 11/13/04) Lost in all the election-season debates and media coverage was any real
discussion of energy matters, either in the presidential contest or at the state
or local levels. Abraham Sees
Congress Backing Alaskan Oil Drilling (posted 11/13/04) U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said Wednesday he was optimistic the
new Congress would vote next year to allow oil drilling in an Alaskan wildlife
refuge. Arizona
Approves Solar HVAC Pilot Program (posted 11/13/04) "Adding solar HVAC to the portfolio mix provides new options for
power-hungry industrial users." Australian
state Queensland funds 13 (posted 11/13/04) The government of Queensland has pledged a grant of A$250,000 ($190,000) to
help launch an ethanol fuel industry based in the sugar growing region in the
far north of the eastern Australian state California ISO
hoping to persuade Dynegy to keep plants running (posted 11/13/04) it plans to shut the units because of weak wholesale power prices, but
Southern California Edison and the ISO determined that they are critical to
reliability in the Los Angeles Basin Coal
to fuel big jump in energy bills (posted 11/13/04) Coal, traditionally a bright spot in the utility industry, is starting to
leave a smudge on electricity bills. Coal workshop
addresses environmental regulations (posted 11/13/04) The Interstate Air Quality Rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency does not include mandatory provisions for mercury reductions Democrats
propose state bank profits for renewable energy (posted 11/13/04) Democratic state lawmakers want to use money from the Bank of North Dakota
for ethanol, biodiesel and wind energy projects. Republicans say the plan is
unrealistic. DOE Keeps Mum
on Preferred Option for Uranium Tailings Piled Near Moab (posted
11/13/04) The long-awaited draft environmental impact study of what to do with 12
million tons of radioactive uranium ore tailings piled next to the Colorado
River near Moab contains a mystery: What does the Department of Energy believe
is the best solution? From Wasteland to
Biofuel (posted 11/13/04) known to us as Barbados
nuts – contain up to 80% oil. In the long run, this plant could become
foundation for the mass production of biofuel. Inuit want to
pressure US to slow Arctic thaw (posted 11/13/04) Inuit
hunters threatened by an accelerating thaw of the Arctic want to amend a U.N.
convention to put pressure on Washington to do more to slow global warming Local Russian
authorities approve northern export pipeline (posted 11/13/04) With support by Khanty-Mansiysk government, we have accomplished a part of
legal procedure that envisages the approval of a pipeline project by all three
regions Nuclear waste
reaches German depot after protests (posted 11/13/04) A convoy of
nuclear waste reached the northern German storage depot of Gorleben this week
after authorities cleared away anti-nuclear activists who descended on the area
to block its path. Oil
Fades Toward $47, Awaits US Data (posted 11/13/04) Oil prices
fell to seven-week lows near $47 a barrel this week as traders braced for
another increase in U.S. oil and gas inventories. Opponents
sound off on proposed natural gas depot on Long Island Sound (posted
11/13/04) Fishermen and environmentalists worry that a proposed natural
gas storage facility in the Long Island Sound would disrupt fishing, hurt
ecosystems and present a terrorism target. 'Risk
aversion' blamed for slow US drilling (posted 11/13/04) said that regardless of gas prices, there needs to be a change in the
"mindset" of CEOs, many of whom "are becoming risk-averse on
exploration" Study
Shows Customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware
Benefited From Competitive Electric (posted 11/13/04) competitive market forces are more effective than economic
regulation The
Energy Challenge 2004 - Solar (posted 11/13/04) While there has been little progress in installations in some years,
technology has continued to improve, and with rising costs of coal oil and
natural gas, interest in solar energy is now growing rapidly. Biodiesel
Offers Potential Environmental, Economic Benefits (posted 11/11/04) The message at a biodiesel conference held at the Georgia Farm Bureau on
Tuesday was simple: Georgia is ripe for creating a successful new fuel industry. Boston
mayor to require 'green' public buildings (posted 11/11/04) Mayor Thomas M. Menino will require all new city government buildings to be
"green" and will begin to push large private projects to be
environmentally friendly as well. Brussels
welcomes reconnection of SE Europe power grid (posted 11/11/04) The aim is to create a single market established under the same regulatory Bush Looking
Anew for Alaska Oil Drilling (posted 11/11/04) Republican gains in the Senate could give President Bush his best chance yet
to achieve his No. 1 energy priority -- opening an oil-rich but environmentally
sensitive Alaska wildlife refuge to drilling. California
agency calls for re-powering of wind turbines (posted 11/11/04) The report identifies concerns and recommends actions to avoid an electricity
crisis that could impact the state as early as next summer. Colorado
approves ballot to require green power supply (posted 11/11/04) The state of Colorado has become the first in the U.S. to use an election
ballot to require utilities to source green power. Congo
Mine, Source of Atom Bombs, Stays Shut (posted 11/11/04) A mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo that provided uranium for the U.S.
atomic bombs dropped on Japan in 1945 -- the first nuclear weapons used in
warfare -- is too dangerous to reopen Consultant
Identifies Flaws, Suggests Remedies to Grid (posted 11/11/04) Power Engineering interviewed Dave Brown, viee president of NUS Consulting
Group First
Nanotechnology Enabled Portable Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (posted 11/11/04) it will introduce its ground-breaking new portable solid oxide fuel cell at
the 2004 Fuel Cell Seminar Exhibition in San Antonio, Texas. Generating From the
Farm (posted 11/11/04) It's hardly a major operation, generating barely one-tenth the power needed
for a typical home. But the intense sun and strong breezes that often burnish
the flat, open land encompassing Hatfield's 53-acre tract activate the solar
panels and wind turbine that help turn on lights hundreds of miles away. Small
as it is, the operation is a model of the kind of renewable- energy facility
that TVA wants to proliferate. IdaTech
Unveils Portable Fuel Cell System at 2004 Fuel Cell Seminar (posted
11/11/04) IdaTech today unveiled a scalable 100W to 500W portable fuel cell system
prototype to be introduced to the U.S. market at the 2004 Fuel Cell Seminar. Methane
research offers promise (posted 11/11/04) In
Canada, in the struggle against global warming, we've been successful in cutting
methane emissions from landfills. Methane, an extremely powerful greenhouse gas,
is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. New
Scientific Consensus: Arctic is Warming At Unprecedented Rate (posted
11/11/04) Ice Melt to Accelerate Warming, Cause Sea Level Rise
Dangerous to Coastal States New Report
Refuels Debate on Wind Farm (posted 11/11/04) The new draft environmental impact report, prepared over three years by the
Army Corps of Engineers, will be released in full today. The findings are
largely favorable to the project, suggesting that the 130 turbines proposed to
be built off Cape Cod would have little or no negative effect on the surrounding
air, sea, and animal life. Organic Farmer
Wins Siehl Prize for Excellence in Agriculture (posted 11/11/04) The award is given for "contributions to the production of food and the
alleviation of hunger." The Painfully
Slow Emergence of Green Energy (posted 11/11/04) Green, or renewable, energy sources – biothermal, solar, wind, and others
– are emerging, but too slowly to as yet make a noticeable impact on U.S.
energy use. And therein lies a major problem facing our economy – what if
green energy sources aren’t ready to fill the gap when the gasoline runs out,
or when the traditional electric power plants run out of fuel? Prognosis for
natural gas depends on the weather (posted 11/11/04) Climate is what we expect. Weather is what we get. Province
creates renewable energy opportunities (posted 11/11/04) The Ontario government is working to ensure that Ontario residents benefit
from clean, renewable energy sources by encouraging development of new
waterpower sites Renewables in
Europe need an investment of Euro 443 billion by 2020 (posted 11/11/04) An investment of Euro 443 billion is needed by 2020 if Europe is to meet its
targets for renewable energies Ripples
of climate change ; An analysis of studies finds solid evidence that warming has
disrupted U.S. (posted 11/11/04) Spring is arriving about two weeks earlier throughout the
United States. Tree swallows are nesting nine days earlier than they did 40
years ago. Butterflies are disappearing on the West Coast, and tropical species
are moving into Florida and the Gulf Coast. San
Antonio activists aim to ax plans for new coal-fired power plant (posted
11/11/04) Local environmental activists out to stop City Public Service's new coal
plant have vowed to start a grass-roots campaign similar to the one levied
against the failed PGA Village. Seven
states to install 1,000 MW of CSP (posted 11/11/04) Seven states in the western U.S. will invest US$1.9 million to install 1,000
MW of concentrating solar power systems. The participating states include
New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah, Texas and Colorado US
public's resistance to LNG terminals is confounding industry (posted
11/11/04) Public resistance in the US to new liquefied natural gas terminals has become
so intense and widespread that industry officials are increasingly uncertain
about how to overcome it. Iran,
EU reach tentative nuclear deal (posted 11/10/04) Iran and
the European Union's three big powers have reached a tentative deal that could
see Tehran avert U.N. Security Council sanctions over its disputed nuclear
programme Many
Species Scramble to Adjust to Warming (posted 11/10/04) North
American wildlife species ranging from butterflies to red fox are scrambling to
adapt to Earth's rising temperatures and may not survive Marubeni
Announces Siting of Direct FuelCell(R) Power Plant at Tokyo (posted
11/10/04) power plant to operate on anaerobic digester gas from a food recycling
facility at the Tokyo Nrc Seeks
Public Comment On Implementation Of Reactor Oversight Process (posted
11/10/04) the agency created five years ago to revamp and improve its inspection and
enforcement programs for commercial nuclear power plants. Nuclear Waste
Shipment Arrives in Germany (posted 11/10/04) A shipment of nuclear waste arrived Tuesday at a disputed storage site in
northern Germany, completing a journey that was marred by the death of an
anti-nuclear protester in France. Renewable
Energy, At Last (posted 11/10/04) It's finally happening. Anticipated since the 1970's, renewable energy
deployment is beginning to take off in the U.S. In summary, an unmistakable
shift is occurring. Sadly, though, our federal government lags significantly
behind these nationwide trends in policy innovation. New Mexico
task force locates three possible sites for solar energy plant (posted
11/10/04) The governor's solar energy task force has released a feasibility study
showing three sites in southern New Mexico and two near Belen as suitable for a
commercial solar power plant. Santa
Fe, N.M., energy panel sorts out duties (posted 11/10/04) The Santa Fe City Council created the committee earlier this year to discuss
city power options, including renewable energy such as wind and solar power. Socially Responsible
Food (posted 11/10/04) On this week's radio program Beyond Organic we learn how some
businesses are integrating a commitment to their community with a commitment to
their own bottom line. Swiss law
makes utilities spread renewable cost (posted 11/10/04) Swiss power companies will have to identify the source of their electricity
on all invoices from the year 2006, and must also distribute the extra cost of
renewables more evenly among consumers UK
to follow Germany’s green example (posted 11/10/04) The UK will follow Germany’s lead on renewable energy, energy efficiency
and hydrogen fuel cells, while working together to combat the wider threat of
climate change US'
Al Gore starts sustainable growth firm (posted 11/10/04) launched an
investment firm to seek out companies taking a responsible stance on big global
issues like climate change. Utilities
Promote Green Energy (posted 11/10/04) After market surveys revealed that customers of electric utilities had high
interest in clean, renewable energy from biomass, wind and solar sources hut low
awareness of where and how to get it, utility companies got busy. VOIP is under
FCC jurisdiction (posted 11/10/04) The FCC voted
today to support a petition from VOIP firm Vonage declaring that VOIP services
such as DigitalVoice, the service Vonage offers, aren't "subject to
traditional state public utility regulation." Yukos row is
damaging business environment in Russia (posted 11/10/04) The long-running Yukos scandal is impacting negatively on Russian oil H2RV
– FORD HYDROGEN HYBRID RESEARCH VEHICLE (posted 11/10/04) "H2RV is proven technology - it could be put into
production," said Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Ford Research and
Advanced Engineering. "What we are lacking are the other two legs of this
three-legged stool - a fueling infrastructure for hydrogen, and uniform laws and
regulations that will allow its use across the nation." GM,
SAIC to Pursue Joint Development of Clean Vehicles in China (posted
11/10/04) the partners will co-develop a demonstration vehicle using the latest
fuel-cell technology, building on GM's HydroGen3 fuel-cell vehicle. Global Warming
Exposes Arctic to Oil (posted 11/10/04) Rising
global temperatures will melt areas of the Arctic this century, making them more
accessible for oil and natural gas drilling. Fundamentals
suggest oil prices may have peaked (posted 11/10/04) Normal oil stock levels in OECD countries and growing sweet crude supplies
suggest oil prices may have peaked in the short term despite ongoing
geopolitical tensions and tight OPEC spare capacity playing on supply concerns Franklin
Fuel Cells: A Powerful Energy Alternative (posted 11/10/04) As the energy crisis grows, efforts continue to find new ways to generate and
deliver energy that is cleaner, more efficient and less dependent on the energy
grid some believe is becoming increasingly less reliable. FFC has developed a
unique solid oxide fuel cell technology (SOFC) that can operate directly on
hydrocarbon fuels FERC Chief
Sees Difficulty In Passing Energy Bill In 2005 (posted 11/10/04) The head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said Tuesday he's hoping
lawmakers go ahead and pass the long-stalled comprehensive energy bill this
month during the lame-duck session, saying it might be harder for Congress to do
so next year. EU Threatens
to Go It Alone on Nuclear Fusion (posted 11/10/04) The
European Union warned yesterday it may go ahead and build the world's first
nuclear fusion reactor with whatever partners it can find Electricity
demand to reach 904-mil MWh (posted 11/10/04) Total demand for electricity is expected to reach 904-mil MWh in the fourth
quarter of 2004, the US Energy Information Administration said Tuesday in its
short-term energy outlook. Conservation
Progress Is Possible (posted 11/10/04) “Conservation progress is possible if the president
delivers on commitments he and his administration have made to the American
people. Confronting
People in Denial: An Environmental Intervention and Psychology Tool (posted
11/10/04) On average, we spend over 95 percent of our time
indoors. Is it any wonder that we suffer our dysfunctions? In our estrangement
from nature, we disconnect our mind from its nurturing and healing origins in
our planet's natural systems. China in for
Extreme Weather as Climate Change Felt (posted 11/10/04) China can expect more droughts, floods and other extreme weather as it
struggles to balance rapid development with environmental concerns Bush advisor
claims climate change conspiracy (posted 11/10/04) An advisor to President George W Bush has reportedly claimed that global
warming is a fallacy created to disrupt the American economy Blair urged to
push US on green issues (posted 11/10/04) The Prime Minister has pledged to make climate change the key issue during
the UK’s EU and G8 presidency in 2005, but so far all efforts to get America
onside have fallen short. Battle over
proposed San Antonio (posted 11/10/04) The battle over City Public Service's proposed coal plant appears to be
heating up Arizona Judge
Recommends Against Unisource Acquisition (posted 11/10/04) Administrative Law Judge Jane Rodda wrote that the risks of the proposed
acquisition "outweigh any expected benefits" and that the deal is not
in the public's best interest Arizona Urges
School Districts to Test Drinking Water for Lead (posted 11/09/04) To keep students safe from environmental hazards, the Arizona Department of
Environmental Quality is urging school districts to test water coming out of
drinking fountains and taps for lead. Bottled or Boiled? (posted
11/09/04) For the fifth day straight the community will have to use boiled or bottled
water. Resulting from positive testing for the presence of total coliform
bacteria in the town's water. Calgon Carbon
Introduces Arsenic Removal Systems (posted 11/09/04) The arsenic removal systems enable customers to meet the approaching
implementation date for EPA regulations that lower the maximum contaminant level
for arsenic in drinking water from 50 ppb to 10 ppb. Co-Op
seals `green power' deal (posted 11/09/04) London THE
CO-OP will go green today under a pounds 25m deal whereby its electricity needs
will be met from renewable sources. Power for all its sites, from its 3,000
small food shops, funeral parlours and pharmacies to the headquarters in
Manchester, will be supplied from windfarms and hydro stations operated by
Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy. DOE takes
first step to get new nuclear plant (posted 11/09/04) The U.S. Department of Energy made the first step last week in a new
licensing process designed to help a nuclear power plant get built. No new
nuclear reactors have been built in the country in decades. Exclusive
Water Economy Report Analyzes the Industry (posted 11/09/04) This Report will provide thoroughly researched insights into trends in
building out the water infrastructure, desalinization, purification technologies
as well as developments in bottled water. Gas hike a
multiwhammy Natural gas spike affects everything from heat to plastics
(posted 11/09/04) Consumers are being warned to prepare for higher
heating bills this year, but they may not realize that natural gas price
increases could affect them in other ways. Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger Commends Orange County Water Purification Project
(posted 11/09/04) a state-of-the-art water purification project that takes highly treated sewer
water and purifies it to near-distilled quality water. Japan to Meet
Kyoto Protocol Targets by Buying Rights to Pollute from Companies in 2006
(posted 11/09/04) Tokyo, one of the treaty's biggest supporters, has pledged a 6 percent cut in
emissions of greenhouse gases, which trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and are
thought to be a chief cause of global warming. Japan's
Toho Gas to Field-Test Home Fuel Cell System (posted 11/09/04) The environmentally friendly, highly efficient system runs on hydrogen
extracted from city gas supplied to households. Manure energy
plan becoming a pile of issues (posted 11/09/04) Amid smiles and handshakes, Lodi dairyman Larry Castelanelli's new
methane-powered generator chugged to life last week. Michelin,
Swiss researchers test new car fuel-cell technology (posted
11/09/04) an experimental pollution-beating electric car that uses a
fuel cell combining oxygen and hydrogen. New Brochure
Focuses on Products for a Cleaner Environment (posted 11/09/04) The brochure reviews water, soil and air emissions treatment utilizing
hydrogen peroxide, soda ash, sodium sulfite, sodium percarbonate, trona, sodium
bicarbonate, sodium fluoride, calcium peroxide, or magnesium peroxide. Oil
analysts unsure when production will peak (posted 11/09/04) Those who believe that depletion of the world's oil supply is imminent are
sometimes derided as Chicken Little-like eccentrics who tell governments, the
media, the energy industry and just about anyone else willing to listen that the
world is on the front edge of an emergency. Quantum Ships
First Fuel Cell Vehicle to U.S. Army
(posted 11/09/04) a high
performance, fuel cell off-road vehicle retail
competition is here to stay (posted 11/09/04) He was
"bullish" on wholesale power markets. Arctic Ice Cap
Warming at Twice the Global Rate (posted 11/09/04) A new study conducted by an international team of 300 researchers from the
Arctic Council, which is comprised of the eight nations including the U.S. with
Arctic territories suggests that the northern ice cap is warming at twice the
global rate. Eight Nations
Find Arctic Warming Quickly (posted 11/09/04) Scientists say changes in the earth's climate from human influences are
occurring particularly intensely in the Arctic region, evidenced by widespread
melting of glaciers, thinning sea ice and rising permafrost temperatures. Scientific
Assessment Confirms Arctic in Crisis from Global Warming (posted
11/09/04) The scientific findings announced today by the Arctic Climate
Impacts Assessment depict an Arctic already in crisis due to human-induced
global warming with worldwide ramifications Bush Stands by
Rejection of Limits on Gases Blamed for Global Warming (posted
11/09/04) President Bush is holding fast to his rejection of mandatory curbs on
greenhouse gases that are blamed for global warming, despite a fresh report from
300 scientists in the United States and seven other nations that shows Arctic
temperatures are rising. South
Korea plans world's largest solar power station (posted 11/09/04) Representatives from Sun Power and Geothermal Energy Co, a
solar systems design company from the United States, and Sharp Electronics Corp
of Japan came to South Korea to map out the final details Strategic
saved schools $100+ million (posted 11/09/04) The schools
are saving $25 million/year via EFS's supply deal and Lewisville's savings are
expected to be $1 million/year. Swimmers,
Fishermen Warned to Avoid Some Beaches in U.S. Virgin Islands (posted
11/09/04) Runoff from passing storms was likely responsible for the bacteria, causing
residents' septic tanks to overflow and animal waste from farmland to wash into
the sea Utah Tackles
Water Shortage with Plan To Reuse (posted 11/09/04) Responding to five years of an ongoing drought and a rapidly growing
population, the Utah Water Quality Board recently adopted a rule allowing the
use of "gray water" for subsurface irrigation. Utilities hunt for
loopholes (posted 11/09/04) Colorado Springs Utilities is looking at options to get out from under
renewable energy standards approved Tuesday by state voters. The utility is not alone. Water Research
Partnership Accepting Arsenic Proposals (posted 11/09/04) Five requests for proposals (RFPs) on projects that focus on treatment
technologies for removing arsenic from drinking water. Watts from Wastewater?
(posted 11/09/04) A new technology is being developed that can turn raw sewage into raw power. Solar PV Shortage
(posted 11/08/04) Solar PV module production is not keeping pace with worldwide demand. Heavy
Metal Fission - A Reason for Optimism (posted 11/08/04) In essence, my view is that nuclear fission is the most important discovery
of the 20th century, with the potential for more positive impact on human
prosperity than the automobile, air travel, television, personal computers, or
the Internet. The Hydrogen Economy
(posted 11/08/04) Why hydrogen? Because hydrogen is a clean universal fuel that can be used to
power cars, trucks, planes, trains, buses, boats and ships. Hydrogen can heat
homes and commercial buildings, and generate electricity. Hydrogen can replace
all forms of fossil fuels. A nation that has converted all of its power systems
to run on hydrogen will no longer be dependent on oil because hydrogen can be
made from many different sources of energy such as wind, solar, biomass and
geothermal as well as fossil and nuclear. Nuclear or Fossil (posted
11/08/04) The right package of incentives could make new US nuclear designs competitive
with fossil fuels in 2015, and carbon charges could make it the cheapest option. Researchers
From National Renewable Energy Laboratory Review Green Building Technology
(posted 11/08/04) Is green building technology all that it's cracked up to be when it comes to
operating performance and efficiency? The
Long-Term Consequences of California's Electricity Deregulation Experiment
(posted 11/08/04) While the market failure aspect of the California Experiment is fairly well
understood, the real failure is that it was one of the biggest colossal failures
of public policy in our nation’s history the payoff (posted
11/08/04) "The Payoff from successfull research in solar energy would be the
production of very pure hydrogen that is cost-competitive with fossil fuels as
an energy source. Inexpensive, high-purity hydrogen would greatly accelerate the
implementation of fuel cell technology by eliminating some of the costly
purification systems currently used. UK to push
Bush on global warming (posted 11/08/04) Prime
Minister Tony Blair has made tackling global warming and reducing carbon
emissions one of two priorities for Britain's year-long presidency of the Group
of Eight (G8) richest nations starting in January. US,
Mexican energy regulators sign coordination agreement (posted
11/08/04) The US and Mexico have "thriving" energy trade, "and our
interdependency will only increase in the years to come Wind Farms
Found to Affect Weather (posted 11/08/04) A Princeton University researcher has determined large-scale wind farms can
change the weather during the night. Europe
Eclipses U.S. Solar Shift (posted 11/08/04) The cost of installing solar energy is finally within reach for many
Americans, but people who have waited for this seemingly opportune time are
being told to move to the back of the line Africa Must
Boost Use of Water Resources to Combat Food Shortages and Poverty (posted
11/08/04) Africa needs to step up the use of its abundant water resources to boost farm
productivity and combat persistent poverty and food shortages America's
Solar Energy Potential (posted 11/08/04) Every hour, the sun radiates more energy onto the earth than the entire human
population uses in one whole year. The technology required to harness the power of the sun is available now.
Solar power alone could provide all of the energy Americans consume – there is
no shortage of solar energy. CB&I
Supports Development of Renewable Energy Sources (posted 11/08/04) The Company's scope includes fabrication,
installation of internals and painting of the 80-meter (262.5 ft) towers, which
will be manufactured and shipped from CB&I's fabrication plant in Provo,
Utah. Climate change
policy may be at fork in US (posted 11/08/04) "State programs will put pressure on the federal government to make it
look at it seriously DOE
to award $13-million to two nuclear consortia (posted 11/08/04) The money is being taken from fiscal 2004 funds for the Nuclear Power 2010
program, which aims to have at least one advanced reactor under construction by
2010 Energy
Measure Backers Show Off Sun's Power (posted 11/08/04) A solar-powered tent. The tent, with possible military and humanitarian
applications, is powered by flexible solar photovoltaic sheets capable of
generating enough electricity to power lighting, 10 laptops, a couple of
evaporative coolers and a small refrigerator.
EPA Honors
Moab Area Community As Nation's First Green Power Community (posted
11/08/04) In August 2004, the City of Moab, Castle Valley, Pack Creek Ranch, and
Spanish Valley, Utah became the first community in the nation to meet and exceed
the EPA Green Power Partnership's minimum benchmark for green power usage with
voluntary purchases. Arizona
Utility Showcases Space-based Solar PV (posted 11/05/04) A Spectrolab solar PV wind used for spaced-based applications.
Now, similar PV is a part of an Arizona utility's solar test site. Bathed with some of the greatest solar energy resources in all
the United States, it's fitting that Arizona would also have some of the best
utility efforts toward harnessing that solar energy. China Endorses
300 MW Ocean Energy Project (posted 11/05/04) Tidal Electric's "tidal lagoon" ocean energy process taps into the
rising and falling tides in coastal zones. Tax Bill
Contains First Ever Biodiesel Tax Incentive (posted 11/05/04) "It's estimated that the tax incentive could create up to 50 thousand
jobs in the United States over the next ten years. " A Rebirth for
Concentrating Solar Power Systems (posted 11/05/04) Regional, Five-Year Agreement Would Deploy 1000 MW of Concentrating Solar
Power Systems Where Solar
Energy Stands After the Election (posted 11/05/04) "We did not lose any of our solar champions in the House and Senate,
and many of those champions are poised to assume greater leadership roles in the
next Congress." Critical
Information Access in the Balance (posted 11/05/04) Over the next several weeks, NRC staff will be reviewing thousands of
documents related to all aspects of NRC regulation of power reactors and nuclear
materials to identify and sequester any information that might be useful to a
terrorist intent on attacking or disrupting nuclear facilities. Energy
Central Launches Magazine for Electric Power Industry (link
takes you to Energy Central!!) (posted 11/05/04) US
economy more vulnerable to energy prices than generally reported (posted
11/05/04) Despite progress towards improved energy efficiency over the past 30 years
the overall net increase in household and transportation demand ensures that the
US economy is still vulnerable to energy prices Power plant
will convert Florida hurricane debris into electricity (posted
11/05/04) Nearly half the debris created by hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne in
Polk County -- storms that also left thousands in the dark -- is being used to
fuel a power-generating plant that sells electricity to Progress Energy. Competition
Serves Energy Consumers (posted 11/05/04) Unfortunately, fears and smears, and not the facts, are behind a campaign to
roll back a decade of progress and significant customer savings made possible by
competitive energy markets. GE Energy
Views NuStart Funding as Boost for Nuclear Industry (posted
11/05/04) GE Energy welcomed the DOE's preparations for a new round of nuclear power
plant construction. UK
Government:
O'Brien finalises proposals for review of renewables obligation (posted
11/05/04) The Renewables Obligation ensures all electricity suppliers produce a
specified and increasing amount of energy from renewable sources. Agreement
to Distribute and Package Direct FuelCell Power Plants in Korea (posted
11/05/04) The three companies have further agreed to jointly investigate formation of a
joint venture for the research, development and production of DFC products in
Korea for sale throughout Asian and eventually global markets. Investors
propose ethanol plant in Fairbank (posted 11/05/04) Investors are proposing what would be one of the state's
largest ethanol plants on a site on the Fayette and Buchanan county border. Eagles overshadow world
(posted 11/05/04) British
construction group Amec announced plans this week to build the world's biggest
onshore wind farm on a rugged Scottish island, stirring fears for the local
landscape and wildlife. Antarctic
Wildlife Facing Food Shortages (posted 11/05/04) Global
warming and disappearing sea ice in the Southern Ocean are causing food
shortages that could threaten Antarctic whales, seals and penguins, scientists
said. Russian
president Vladimir Putin ratifies the Kyoto protocol (posted
11/05/04) Russian President Vladimir Putin Friday ratified the Kyoto protocol aimed at US homeland
security agency to release infrastructure plan Nov 10 (posted
11/05/04) The US Homeland Security Dept plans to release its National Infrastructure 2004PresidentialElection
(posted 11/05/04) Energy
highlights from Bush's first administration (posted 11/05/04) President
Bush's key energy commitments for the second-term (posted 11/05/04) Policies
Expected During Bush's Second Term (posted 11/05/04) Following
are some policies President Bush has said he will pursue in his second term in
office Election
results give life to ANWR opening (posted 11/05/04) the election results appear to have given new life to a key component of the
administration's energy initiative: opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
(ANWR) to oil and gas leasing. Apparent Bush
victory may give new life to energy bill (posted 11/04/04) President Bush's apparent election victory is likely to encourage Branding in the
energy sector (posted 11/04/04) The benefits we always called "soft" like brand value, good will,
trust - have become solid, valuable and mission-critical. Broadband Over
Power Lines Presents Opportunities and Significant Marketing Challenges
(posted 11/04/04) Electric utilities that offer broadband over power lines (BPL) may find
customers eager for low-cost, high-speed internet access, but they are also
likely to have mixed feelings about signing up with their utility California
Solar Power Developer Studying 2,600 Megawatts of Global Solar Towers
(posted 11/04/04) the license holder for solar tower technology, has agreed to
build, own, maintain, and operate 2,600 megawatts of solar towers. Environmental
Collectivism Plus Hedge Funds Equal a Huge Energy Tax on Ordinary People
(posted 11/04/04) Energy is essential for the lifestyles of ordinary people. Therefore, it is a
very convenient tool for the political and financial gratification of wealthy
elites on the East and West Coasts. Gas
pipeline, LDC representatives cheered by election results (posted
11/04/04) "Overall, the administration has been supportive...of pipeline
infrastructure and LNG. it should grease the skids for the gas industry to
"continue to ramp up production. Italy Basks in
Record High Temperatures (posted 11/04/04) The Italian
capital Rome saw the hottest start to November since records began OPEC will
monitor US election impact on oil price (posted 11/04/04) noting that Bush's victory Wednesday appeared to have boosted prices.
"The victory of President Bush had an impact on the oil price". Poo
Power From New Fuel Cell (posted 11/04/04) A new fuel cell is being
developed that can turn raw sewage into electrical power Public
Service Co. of OK seeking proposals (posted 11/04/04) AEP is seeking bids from renewable-energy providers that could
place new generating facilities into service by Dec. 31, 2005. Reid
to seek Senate's top Democratic leadership post (posted 11/04/04) Repository opponent Sen. Harry Reid will seek the top Senate
Democratic Rural China
Reels from Violent Protests (posted 11/04/04) The ruling
Communist Party is keen to curb dissent and preserve social stability, but the
spate of recent protests and their scale illustrate the extent of grievances in
rural China, fueled by corruption and a growing gap between rich and poor. Russia must
explore or lose oil, gas production lead (posted 11/04/04) According to the ministry, annual investment of some $4-bil is required to
replace Russian reserves. Solar
panels to power EDH plant (posted 11/04/04) The addition of solar panels at a wastewater treatment
plant could brighten the El Dorado Irrigation District's economic future. US
Gulf shut-ins Wednesday 215,053 b/d oil (posted 11/04/04) MMS said that cumulative oil shut-ins since Sep 11, when Hurricane Ivan
stormed Arctic
Melt Accelerates, Governments Split (posted 11/03/04) A thaw of the Arctic icecap is accelerating because of global warming, but
nations in the region including the United States are deadlocked about how to
stop it. Russian
Scientist Surrenders Arms-Grade Plutonium (posted 11/03/04) A Russian atomic scientist surrendered to police on Tuesday eight containers
filled with arms-grade nuclear material he had kept in his garage for eight
years Louisiana Asks
Federal Government to Help Build a Better Bridge to Threatened Oil Port
(posted 11/03/04) If you think oil is expensive now, just imagine if Hurricane Ivan had swung
west and come ashore at this bustling oil and gas port at the southernmost point
of Louisiana. A Look At Bush
Administration Policies Regarding Renewable Energy (posted 11/03/04) "Renewable energy was not espoused as a "much needed
element" of energy policy, but rather necessary to show balance and enlist
farm and key legislators promoting primarily ethanol, hydropower, and wind
farms." 2005 Expected
to be Record Year for U.S. Wind Power (posted 11/03/04) As natural gas prices continue to demonstrate volatility, and coal prices are
increasing as well, wind power looks more attractive as a way to diversify a
utility's supply portfolio." World Sales of
Solar Cells Jump 32 Percent (posted 11/03/04) "In contrast, PV production in the United States decreased by 14
percent in 2003, dropping to 104 MW." New Hampshire
Begins Coal Switch to Biomass (posted 11/03/04) "...when power producers have access to very low cost biomass
supplies the choice to use biomass in the fuel mix enhances their
competitiveness in the marketplace." Canada Looks
to Boost Renewable Energy Use (posted 11/03/04) Minister Dion indicated that Canada's future is closely linked to the
development of renewable energy. Ethanol
to Hydrogen, A Double Duty Fuel (posted 11/03/04) "Ethanol has the potential to be an integral part of the emerging
hydrogen economy. Its properties make it an excellent liquid fuel for the
extraction of hydrogen." Arizona
Solar Incentives Pay Up to 9K (posted 11/03/04) The SolarWise program will pay up to US$9,000 to residential
and small business customers who purchase and install photovoltaic (PV) systems
that can connect with SRP's power grid system. State mandates
encourage more green power than RPS in US market (posted 11/03/04) State mandates account for the vast majority of new green power capacity in
the United States...That is 86% of all new green power capacity from state
programs Global energy
body criticised (posted 11/03/04) IEA’s ‘World Energy Outlook 2004’ predicts
that the global demand for energy will be 60% higher than they are now, by 2030.
The forecast also notes that with current government policies in place, carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions will rise by 60%. Nigerian Court
Throws Out Case Challenging Troop Withdrawal from Disputed Peninsula
(posted 11/03/04) A court in Nigeria's capital on Tuesday threw out a bid by political and
ethnic leaders to prevent a disputed territory in oil-rich waters from being
handed over to Cameroon. Nigeria NLC
leader says Nov 16 fuel strike (posted 11/03/04) Nigerian workers will disrupt the country's key oil exports and production
when they launch an indefinite general strike on Nov 16, the country's top labor
leader warned Wednesday. "The last time, we did not allow the strike to
affect the exports. But now we think disrupting oil exports is the only way the government will
realize that the people are really angry. That is why this time around, the oil
sector will be affected, Crude down
slightly after stock build (posted 11/03/04) Benchmark crude futures were showing slight declines just after 12 p.m. EST
(1700 GMT) Wednesday, having recovered from intra-day lows following a
larger-than-expected build in US crude stocks. Colorado
voters approve renewable portfolio standard (posted 11/03/04) Colorado voters Tuesday approved a ballot measure that calls for 10% of all
utility electric sales to come from renewable sources by 2015, with 4% of that
coming from solar sources. Arizona
Public Service Tests World's Most Efficient Solar Cells (posted 11/03/04) "This has been an evolutionary process, but this technology has the
potential to bring revolutionary change," Wind turbines
cause problems for neighbors (posted 11/03/04) Commercial wind-powered electrical generating plants are not
the benign form of renewable energy that those who wish to make a lot of money
on them would have us believe. Share
of renewables to remain small to 2030 (posted 11/03/04) Global production of non-hydro renewables will treble by 2030, but will
supply only 6% of the world’s electricity Earth
energy reaches 12,000 MW of thermal energy (posted 11/03/04) Present worldwide installed capacity of earth energy systems has reached
12,000 MW of thermal energy according to an international analysis Renewables
could reduce global GHG emissions by 1,000 MT a year (posted 11/03/04) Annual emissions could be reduced by 1 gigatonne by replacing 700 GW of
capacity from conventional coal plants with green power facilities. If
wind were the sole technology, 300,000 turbines of 5 MW capacity would be
required. Where's
the spark on power line Net? (posted 11/02/04) The NYT has an optimistic overview on broadband over power lines, calling it
"the ultimate plug and play." A great line, but the piece doesn't do
much to dispel the idea that utilities are wary of investing in the technology High Tech
Buildings Use Sunlight (posted 11/02/04) Buildings are getting smarter and the next generation of building materials
is expected to do even more. Iraq's
SOMO discusses 2005 term crude contracts with customers (posted 11/02/04) Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization discussed the renewal of its
long-term crude supply contracts during a meeting with its customers in the
Jordanian capital Amman last week Kyoto Is Too
Little to Fix Warming (posted 11/02/04) Although saved recently with Russian help, the Kyoto pact on global warming
offers too little to arrest climate change and governments should adopt more
radical solutions Crude Awakening
(posted 11/02/04) A prominent physicist warns in a new book that the world is running out of
oil and we’re not doing anything to stave off the coming crisis Oil Gone (posted
11/02/04) If peak oil theorists
are correct, our dependence on oil is not only foolish, it's lethal. the end of
cheap oil (posted 11/02/04) It's inevitable. But just how soon will the vital
fuel become so scarce and expensive that we're forced to make hard choices about
how we live? THE PARTY'S OVER
(posted 11/02/04) As
Richard Heinberg makes shockingly clear in this extraordinarily well-researched
and -written book, our way of life will soon change dramatically, as oil
production and reserves both begin to decline. He also makes clear that our
actions now will strongly affect what is left of the world when this shift away
from oil takes place. Waste touted
as source of energy (posted 11/02/04) Scientists are working on ways to put sewage to productive
use, chemical society journal says BIODIGESTER
/BIODIGESTER SEPTIC TANK (posted 11/02/04) The activities of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) will soon make Septic
Tanks and Soak-away Pits, which can cause pollution to the environment, a thing
of the past. It achieves this through the application of anaerobic technology. A plastic
tube biodigester (posted 11/02/04) She is cooking delicious food on a biogas stove. Dispose
of your waste water and save money doing it! (posted 11/02/04) SRC executive director, Dr Audia Barnett, is enthusiastic about the
technology: ".You are treating your waste water. You are getting gas, which
you can use for cooking. You are getting water you can use for irrigation and
you are getting literally no waste, Biodiesel
enthusiasts celebrate Senate passage of biofuel provisons (posted
11/02/04) "This legislation includes new tax credits for biodiesel, improves tax
laws to boost ethanol production and promotes the use of biomass while reducing
the tax burden on farmers," Can Organics
Save the Family Farm (posted 11/02/04) A groundbreaking essay by the nation’s foremost
organic grower and writer. Colorado
regulators to allow global warming testimony at power (posted 11/02/04) Testimony about carbon emissions from a proposed coal- fired
power plant and its effect on global warming will be allowed in a major
regulatory hearing beginning next week, THE COMING ENERGY
CRUNCH (posted 11/02/04) Economic growth, as we have come to know it, is entirely dependent on a vast,
continuous flow of remarkably cheap oil. As Simmons says, "Peak does not
mean oil has run dry, it does mean that growth is over. Competition's
savings tallied (posted 11/02/04) American
consumers would save $10 billion from lower electricity prices, if states
matched the best practices of 13 fully deregulated US states Do
competitive energy markets work (posted 11/02/04) Much to
Restructuring Today Editor George Spencer's dismay, 68% of ghi^markets
readers believe that competitive energy markets do not work, while
only 32% say that they do. Nigerian
oil unions take on Shell in build-up to general strike (posted 11/01/04) Nigerian unions clashed in court with Shell Monday as the labor movement
flexed its muscles ahead of a nationwide general strike, which its leaders have
warned will disrupt key oil exports. OPEC,
Russia commit to continue cooperation (posted 11/01/04) "There is an understanding between OPEC and Russia that prices must be
stabilised at a level acceptable to producers and consumers alike," OPEC president
Purnomo predicts lower oil prices in near future (posted 11/01/04) Oil prices should fall further in the near future as production is returning
to normal in the Gulf of Mexico and US oil stocks have risen, OPEC president
Purnomo Yusgianto said Friday. PMC-Sierra
CEO sees wafer shortage ahead (posted 11/01/04) "By next year or at the
latest 2005 the industry will experience the most severe wafer shortage ever
seen," Power content
label on San Diego utility bill is called misleading (posted
11/01/04) The most recent copy of the insert -- called a "power content
label" -- declares that 8 percent of the electricity supplied by SDG&E
is derived from renewable resources. SDG&E derives about 4 percent of
its electricity from renewables. Russia,
OPEC blame geopolitical concerns for unstable oil prices (posted
11/01/04) share "the opinion that instability on the world oil market, leading to
sharp price swings, is closely connected with geopolitical factors," Russian
Environmentalists Urge to Think of Future of Nuclear Dumps (posted
11/01/04) Scientists have not observed any serious changes in radioactive situation
there, however they said that sooner or later sea water will corrode the
reinforced concrete. It is sufficient to start averting possible danger now. Scientists
warn of high arsenic levels in region (posted 11/01/04) The Merrimack Valley of New Hampshire has some of the nation's highest levels
of arsenic in their wells, which are used for drinking water. US Congress
may consider natural gas bill in January (posted 11/01/04) The US Congress may take up in a separate bill parts of the stalled
comprehensive energy legislation designed to promote the development of domestic
natural gas US heating oil
distributors warn of debt problems (posted 11/01/04) asking officials to push lenders to cooperate in warding off what could be a
capital crisis. Banks in areas of high oil-heat consumption soon will also
be directly approached. Useless Dam
Presents Dilemma for California (posted 11/01/04) A pile of sediment has built up so high behind The Matilija Dam that even if
an inch of rain falls, water spills over in glistening cascades. However,
tearing down the Southern California structure presents a costly challenge Waterborne Illness
Declines (posted 11/01/04) fewer Americans became sick from drinking tap water in 2001-2002 than in the
previous two-year period. Waterproofing
the Home Property Market (posted 11/01/04) Starting July 2007, Sydney, Australia, homes built before July of 2004 will
need to be fitted with water-efficient showerheads, taps and other devices
before they can be sold. Brownville
Nuclear Plant May Get Reprieve to 2034 (posted 11/01/04) The station had been ranked as one of the nation's poorest performing nuclear
plants. California
regulatory panel divided on electricity discount in Sonoma County
(posted 11/01/04) to let PG&E give an electricity discount to a Sonoma County business
threatening to move its 700 jobs out of California California
utilities told to speed increase in reserves (posted 11/01/04) State regulators voted yesterday to order utilities to accelerate their
buildup of electric generating reserves, saying it was needed to ensure power
reliability in the state. Campaign
Skirts Tricky Issue of Costly Oil (posted 11/01/04) Record
crude oil prices have mostly seeped between the cracks of this year's
presidential campaign in a tacit recognition that next week's winner can do
little to defuse oil prices soaring above $50 a barrel. Clean Energy
Joint Venture Receives concession to build and operate first 30 megawatt solid
municipal waste and tire gasification (posted 11/01/04) The CORE technology is an environmentally-friendly gasification system which
converts organic or carbon-based materials contained in solid municipal waste to
5% ash content. Crude
oil prices continues sliding on US stocks build-up (posted
11/01/04) Crude prices remained on a downslide in Asia Friday as markets continued to
sell on Wednesday's report of a higher-than-expected crude stocks build in the
US EPA Issues
Updated Guidelines for Water Reuse (posted 11/01/04) which recommends water reuse guidelines, along with supporting information,
to help water and wastewater utilities and regulatory agencies, particularly in
the U.S. Fourth El Paso
gas trader pleads guilty to false price reporting (posted 11/01/04) The last of four former El Paso natural gas traders who had admitted to
reporting false price data to index publishers has pleaded guilty in US District
Court in Houston Thursday. Iran tries to
lure China into LNG purchase with oil sweetener (posted 11/01/04) Iran has signed a memorandum of understanding with China's Sinopec offering
the state-owned Chinese oil giant rights to develop the Yadavaran onshore
oilfield in Iran on condition it commits to purchasing liquefied natural gas
over a 30-year period. Joint Venture
for solar grade polycrystalline silicon (posted 11/01/04) ASiMI has discontinued production at the Moses
Lake Plant. As a result, an impairment loss will be recorded at the end of the
current fiscal year. ASiMI has studied the possibility of converting the Moses
Lake Plant into a plant dedicated to produce polycrystalline silicon for solar
applications. Micron CEO
says 2004 outlook strong (posted 11/01/04) the shortage of silicon (chips) around the world.” "The
time pressure is enormous" (posted
10/30/04) The
photovoltaic industry desperately needs a new source of silicon. a
bottleneck is threatening the supply of silicon waste from the semiconductor
industry. Currently, this gap in the supply of raw materials is being filled
through the use of pricey, electronic-grade silicon, which is available as a
result of the economic slowdown in the microchip sector. However... The PV Industry
Moving into the 21st Century (posted
10/30/04) There
is little risk in predicting, that the PV-industry will "take off" in
the next century. Another moving target, which is critical to the
competitiveness of PV, is the availability and the price of crude oil. With
all the good reasons the human society has to promote PV, our long-term model
uses an annual growth rate of between optimistic 15 and fantastic 25 percent on
a megawatt basis. These rates will depend heavily on the development of the
grid-connected portion of the market in industrial countries. Photovoltaic Solar
Energy (posted 10/30/04) The cost of PV systems has been a
long-standing issue for PV applications, however, in recent times, the cost has
decreased due to improvements in the efficiency of cells, improved manufacturing
techniques and the larger market size. The trend is for Photovoltaic systems to
become quite competitive with the conventional power supplies The Global Peak Oil
Gathering (posted 10/29/04) One of the surprising outcomes was that the precise date of Peak Oil is
actually quite irrelevant. Iraq joins
Arab gas line project (posted 10/29/04) The Egyptian minister of oil Sameh
Fahemi announced that Iraq has joined the Arab Mashreq Gas transport project
which so far includes Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and Jordan. Iraq still
offers enormous investment potential (posted
10/29/04) Businessmen and economists gathered to
discuss reconstruction prospects in violence-wrecked Iraq said that lack of
security was a major impediment to investment but that the country still offers
enormous potential. Liquid gas
plan worries nuclear plant (posted
10/29/04) One of the region's largest utilities has urged federal regulators to
consider threats to a nuclear complex along the Delaware River while reviewing
plans for a new liquefied natural gas import terminal opposite Claymont in New
Jersey. Minnesotans'
Renewable Energy Experience May Be What Coloradans Will Discover (posted
10/29/04) If Minnesota's experience in requiring more renewable energy is any example,
then Colorado residents will see a decrease in electricity rates if the same
standards are approved Nov. 2 New Hampshire
Begins Coal Switch to Biomass (posted
10/29/04) The US$75 million project, developed by Public Service of New Hampshire
(PSNH), will replace a 50 MW coal-fired boiler with a new boiler of equal size
that will burn wood chips and other clean wood products. Ofgem calls on
EC to investigate continental gas market (posted
10/29/04) Energy regulator Ofgem wants the
European Commission to investigate the continental gas market to see whether
firms are preventing gas from flowing to the UK where prices are now at record
highs. Oil price
falls as concern eases over disruption to Nigerian supply (posted
10/29/04) Crude oil, which closed above $ 50 a
barrel for the first time in New York, fell as concerns eased that Nigerian
rebels may disrupt exports from Africa's biggest oil producer. Once
N-waste arrives, it’s not likely to leave (posted
10/29/04) Private Fuel Storage (PFS) is confident its nuclear waste storage site in
Skull Valley will only be temporary, but...when the waste goes into permanent
underground storage, the Energy Department carefully classifies rods to avoid
any future atomic reactions. OPEC ready to
supply enough oil to market at time of crisis (posted
10/29/04) "OPEC is capable of meeting rising
global demand for oil, should a fresh oil crisis take place at any time, Pakistan ranks
3rd in the world in compressed natural gas use (posted
10/29/04) Ahmed said that there is a growing
energy demand in the country and the government is striving to overcome the
shortage of gas. He said that the country has good potential for supplying
natural gas and its growth will increase by 7 % in the coming years. Politics and
Gas Fuel Battle over New Mexico Forest (posted
10/29/04) A Texas energy company may get rights to drill in a pristine swathe of a New
Mexico national forest after a White House task force intervened on its behalf,
a move that has become a hot issue in the battleground state of New Mexico
before next week's presidential election. Qatar
believes high oil prices are market-manipulated (posted
10/29/04) The running high oil prices are market
manipulated and OPEC has no role in it, Qatari Minister of Energy and Industry
said. Refinery and
Chemical Workers Are Not Ready for an Attack (posted
10/29/04) Workers at U.S. refineries, chemical plants, and paper mills that might be
attractive terrorist targets are not adequately trained to prevent or respond to
attacks, according a survey released this week. Revolutionizing
the World of Recycling (posted 10/29/04) A new site is revolutionizing the world of recycling,
reuse and charitable donations. Throwplace.com
, the Internet's landfill alternative, offers an online market where
individuals, charities/non-profits, and businesses can exchange excess goods and
surplus inventory free of charge. Russia to play
key role as crude reserves diminish (posted
10/29/04) Today, big oil is operating in a vastly
different environment. The Middle East and Iraq are still in their sights but
the complexity and danger of going into Iraq has forced the need to think some
more. Hence, Russia's growing importance as an economic partner. Russia to set
Far East oil pipeline route (posted
10/29/04) An environmental probe report on the
Russian Far East oil pipeline will be finished in the coming two months. The
pipeline's route will then be fixed. Small Wind Energy (posted
10/29/04) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is
proposing new program rules for administering its Renewable Energy Systems and
Energy Efficiency Improvements Program, and is requesting public comments. Southwest
Windpower Enters the Grid-Tie Market (posted
10/29/04) Flagstaff Arizona based Southwest Windpower,
recently announced the introduction of the utility tie version of its 1000
watt Whisper turbine Understanding
Today's Electricity Business (posted
10/29/04) A New Book from Enerdynamics! Understanding Today's Electricity Business presents a comprehensive
216-page overview of the U.S. electric industry. US developers
see hope in abandoned oil wells (posted
10/29/04) The US sits on 3 % of the world's
proved oil reserves and accounts for more than a fifth of global consumption,
making nonsense of the "energy independence" stances of both
presidential candidates. But it has spare oil a-begging. Venezuela
believes oil prices will stay up (posted
10/29/04) Venezuela won't increase oil supplies
to the United States and believes oil prices will never again return to the
levels of a few years ago, the country's top oil official said. Will China and
US have to compete in global search for oil (posted
10/29/04) Little more than a decade ago, China
was able to produce enough of its own oil to satisfy domestic needs. That was
before its economy started growing faster than any other in the world, forcing
China to become a net importer of oil in 1993. The United States and China are
the number one and number two global consumers of oil. The wrangle
over drilling on Alaska (posted 10/29/04) Federal officials say the marshy tundra
around a giant lake on Alaska's North Slope could hold hundreds of millions of
barrels of crude oil, enough to significantly boost domestic oil production for
a nation heavily dependent on foreign imports. For
good or ill, Bush clears path for energy development (posted
10/29/04) A decade ago this wind-swept swath of
country was largely untouched by humans. Today, nearly 500 natural-gas wells dot
the Green River Valley, and the Bush administration has called for up to 3,100. Feds approve energy
deal (posted 10/29/04) Federal regulators approved a settlement late Monday between Dynegy Inc.,
California power companies and state agencies that wipes out $281.5 million in
unpaid electricity bills during the state's energy crisis. Federal
Government Streamlines Solar Planning (posted
10/29/04) "With this new policy, we are getting ahead of the curve by
implementing policies and procedures before we have solar energy applications in
hand." FCC's
final version of BPL rule released today (posted
10/29/04) "This new
technology offers the potential for the establishment of a significant new
medium for extending broadband access to American homes and businesses. Energy
explorers scramble to buy New Mexico leases (posted
10/29/04) With energy prices soaring and
predicted to remain relatively stable, oil and gas companies across New Mexico
are scrambling to buy up state and federal mineral leases at prices not seen
since the energy price spike of 2001. Drought
Threatens the Lives of Some 4 Million People in Southeastern Ethiopia (posted
10/29/04) Four years of successive rain failures in southeastern Ethiopia have set off
a drought that is threatening the lives of 4 million people Department
of Energy Funds 26th Year of University Coal Grants (posted
10/29/04) begins its 26th year this week with the release of a
solicitation calling on the Nation's colleges and universities to propose new
projects to enhance the long-term use of coal. Denmark begins
oil race for North Pole (posted 10/29/04) Denmark aims to show that the North
Pole belongs to it and is sending an expedition to try to show that the ocean
floor from northern Greenland to the North Pole is geologically a natural
extension of Danish territory Consumers Lose
2 Allies on California Utilities Panel (posted
10/29/04) The powerful state panel that regulates what Californians pay for energy and
phone calls is about to lose the two members considered most sympathetic to
consumer interests Clinton-Style
Oil Rescue Ruled Out for Bush (posted
10/29/04) Plagued by
iffy crude shipments from Iraq and threadbare heating oil supplies, the
president of the United States in September called for a release of 30 million
barrels of crude oil from national emergency reserves. China's huge oil
search (posted 10/29/04) China's huge appetite for oil to power
industry and its electricity generation is a commodity-market tectonic shift
whose outcome and strategic implications are unclear. What is clear is that
China is in a great hurry to close deals on long-term supply, including that of
gas. China Welcomes
Russian Approval of Kyoto Protocol (posted
10/29/04) China welcomed on Thursday Russia's ratification of the Kyoto climate change
protocol and urged countries that have not done so to follow suit. China to
explore new energy resources (posted
10/29/04) Huge consumption, exploration and use
of energy resources have led to the depletion of resources and deterioration
environment, which oblige China to explore and utilize new energy sources for
its sustainable economic growth. Canadian
Province Renewable Energy Gold Mine (posted
10/29/04) Renewable energy initiatives can add over $9 billion
and create 25,000 new jobs by 2010 to the Canadian Province of Ontario,
according to a new report from the David Suzuki Foundation. Brazil
Flex-Fuel Ethanol Cars to Stay in Top Gear (posted
10/29/04) After years
in the slow lane, ethanol-powered cars zoomed back onto Brazil's fast track this
year as oil prices hit record levels, and producers say that this time they
won't run out of gas. Bolivia calls
on Spain and Brazil for understanding of energy reform (posted
10/29/04) A provision of the bill explicitly says
the Bolivian state will "regain" control of extracted natural gas
"at the wellhead." That means foreign companies will lose the
prerogative of selling as they see fit the gas -- and to a lesser extent, oil --
that they extract. $4.5
Million in Rebates Help put Solar on 30 Schools (posted
10/29/04) "Over 60 school districts applied for the one-time $6.40-a-watt special
rebate incentive - twice the amount of the regular Emerging Renewables Program
rebate level for solar, wind, and other eligible systems at the time." A Look At Bush
Administration Policies Regarding Renewable Energy (posted
10/29/04) The Bush Administration's first term has been a very mixed bag regarding
renewable energy policies. A new challenge for
OPEC (posted 10/29/04) In practice oil market mathematics has
meant little since the outbreak of war in Iraq and it would surprise no-one if
additional OPEC capacity was brought into production. ACORE
Announces Speakers for Policy Forum (posted
10/29/04) Calling for "Phase II" of Renewable Energy in America Africa Power
Firms Join to Light Up Dark Continent (posted
10/29/04) The latest scheme to spread electric light in Africa may sound familiar, but
this time African leaders say they have the will, and financial backing, to
succeed. African
countries need to discuss how to deal with higher oil prices (posted
10/29/04) South African Finance Minister Trevor
Manuel said discussion was needed among African countries on how to deal with
higher oil prices that could trigger fiscal problems for some governments. African oil
key for global economy (posted 10/29/04) The African continent is becoming an
increasingly important source of oil production and exploration for the global
economy, with investment from the world's top energy companies expected to rise
more rapidly than in the past and oil and gas production also set to accelerate. Alberta
dealer wants to raise natural gas price (posted
10/29/04) The province's largest natural gas dealer
wants to boost the price of natural gas by about $3 a gigajoule next month,
which would almost double the average energy bill. All Nuclear
Power Plants Meet NRC Deadline for Security Enhancements (posted
10/29/04) All of the 103 commercial nuclear power plants operating at 64 sites in 31
states have met the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Oct. 29 deadline for
implementing more stringent security measures. Ancient Star
Dust May Point to Human Origins (posted
10/29/04) Star dust
found deep beneath the Pacific Ocean has led German scientists to speculate that
a supernova explosion 3 million years ago might possibly have helped bring about
human evolution. As
gas prices soar, truckers battle record costs (posted
10/29/04) With oil prices closing above $ 50 a
barrel for the first time in 21 years, and the national average for the price of
diesel hitting $ 2 a gallon for the first time ever, shock waves are rippling
through the transportation industry -- the main consumer of diesel fuel. New vs. Old Thinking
(posted 10/28/04) At the highest policy level there is recognition that our water quality and
supply as well as the natural systems and the infrastructure that support our
way of life demand attention. The EPA wastewater management initiative has been a supply side strategy.
However, despite the success of the EPA grants program the quality of the nation’s
water resources continues to decline. The New West (posted
10/28/04) The "New West" has emerged full of concerns and new laws that
make water treatment necessary and some that make it harder to sell. California
is well-known for its progressive way of thinking. Although often its tactics
may be questioned, many people anxiously wait to see what will be next. The Standard Septic
System (posted 10/28/04) In 1997, EPA and Congress officially recognized onsite wastewater
treatment systems (commonly referred to as septic systems) as a viable,
long-term solution for treating wastewater. Renewables
could create 77,000 jobs in Canada’s largest province (posted
10/28/04) The province of Ontario could install 12,000 MW of renewable energy capacity
by 2020 and generate 35,000 GWh of green power, while developing 180 PJ of green
heat for homes and offices. Adoption
of renewable energies can improve corporate profit (posted
10/28/04) A number of private companies have significantly reduced their greenhouse gas
emissions while increasing their profits from the use of renewable energy,
according to a report from The Climate Group. U.S.
groups develop corporate guide for green power (posted
10/28/04) Two government departments and two private organizations have
released a ‘Guide to Purchasing Green Power.’ The document is intended for companies that are “considering the merits of
buying green power, as well as those that have decided to buy it and want help
doing so.” Environmental
groups call for global support of renewables (posted
10/28/04) A coalition of 17 environmental groups warns that global warming threatens to
reverse human progress, and calls on the international community to take “urgent
action” to introduce small-scale renewable energy projects. Hydrogen
and fuel cells receive funding for renewables in U.S. (posted
10/28/04) Renewable energy programs in the United States have US$50 to $60 million a
year available for fuel cell research Volatility
and Energy: How Much Longer Do We Have Before Politicians Weigh In (posted
10/28/04) The energy market likes to see itself as central to the economy -- and it is.
At some point the capital investor votes with their feet – and they already
are doing so. While labor costs are a major point in the relocation of
facilities, energy is inescapably another measurable pressure. Utility
industry official disputes Galveston Bay mercury emissions warnings (posted
10/28/04) Bush administration policies will allow coal-burning power plants to spew six
times more mercury into the air in the next decade than the federal Clean Air
Act now permits, two Texas environmental groups said Tuesday. Power
Engineers Helps Commission New Iraqi Power Plant (posted
10/28/04) The plant will also furnish reliable power to a nearby oil field operation,
which is critical to maintaining the efficient production of oil and improving
Iraq's economy in the short term. As
Oil Hits a High of $55, Who's in Pain, Who Stands to Gain (posted
10/28/04) While Americans wince as they fill up their SUVs with $2-a-gallon gasoline,
market forces are smiling on the Saudi Arabias and Exxon Mobils of the world. U.S.
Should Stop Exposing Poor to Mercury in White Tuna (posted
10/28/04) "Since last year, FDA has known that white canned
tuna has three times as much mercury as light tuna," said Michael Bender,
director of the Mercury Policy Project. "So why is the federal WIC program
continuing to subsidize the tuna industry and, in effect, the poisoning of
low-income Americans with mercury from white albacore tuna? Protesters
Weld Shut Entrance to Brazil Nuclear HQ (posted
10/28/04) The
pro-environment group said it was protesting against new investments in Brazil's
nuclear program, including a government plan to enrich uranium that has caused a
dispute with the United Nations over nonproliferation inspections. EU authorises
Monsanto GMO maize for import (posted
10/28/04) The
Commission used a legal default procedure that kicks in after months of deadlock
between EU governments to issue an approval High Oil
Prices Stir Gas Demand Doubts (posted
10/28/04) Booming
world demand for natural gas could soon falter as gas prices rocket following a
surge in world oil markets to record highs, industry executives and analysts
said. BP reports massive
profits (posted 10/28/04) BP, the
world's second largest oil company, has reported bumper third-quarter profits
thanks to high oil prices, but its higher capital expenditure plans has raised
some concerns Gas Pump Price Falls, 1st
Drop in 6 Weeks (posted 10/28/04) The average
price U.S. consumers pay for gasoline declined for the first time in six weeks,
but still remains near the record high Fed
economist: US natural gas could ease long-term (posted
10/28/04) The United
States could whittle the cost of natural gas to around $3.25 per million Btu
over the next 20 years if regulators, producers and importers work aggressively
to develop as much inflow as possible Positions
of Bush/Kerry on Domestic Issues (posted
10/28/04) These are
the positions of Republican President Bush and his Democratic challenger, Sen.
John Kerry of Massachusetts, on some of the domestic issues in the 2004
presidential campaign ADDITION
OF ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE LAND TO CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (posted
10/27/04) Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced that the USDA will Government aims
to change green ‘behaviour’ (posted
10/27/04) The UK Government views changing the behaviour of
people and businesses as a key factor in tackling climate change Los Angeles
toughens renewables plan (posted 10/27/04) The Los Angeles City Council has ordered its municipal utility, Los Angeles
Department of Water & Power (LADWP), to toughen its renewable fuels goal,
even at the anticipation that it will result in higher electricity rates. NGOs welcome
Russian ratification (posted 10/27/04) With Kyoto entering into force, focus is expected to
shift back onto the US and Australia, who have both famously opted-out of the
programme over economic concerns. Nuclear
power is back, a bit (posted 10/27/04) "THE worst possible nuclear disasters are not as bad as
the worst possible climate change disasters," declared the Centre for
Alternative Technology in Britain recently, urging "a modest revival of
nuclear energy . . . to sell the idea to the sceptics." On or Off (posted
10/27/04) Over the past 25 years, the onsite wastewater industry has developed many
new treatment technologies that can achieve high-performance treatment on sites
with size, soil, groundwater and landscape limitations that may preclude the
installation of conventional systems. Renewable
Energy Gets Focus on Ballot (posted
10/27/04) But the intention of the proposition is to use other energy sources, such as
windmill power, converted landfill gas and other combustibles, if necessary, to
reduce reliance on coal-generated electricity. Renewable
Energy Laws Saving States Money (posted
10/27/04) States committed to developing more renewable energy have
found it costs less than expected and typically saves money. U.S.
Farm Policy, Present and Future (posted
10/27/04) On this week's radio program Beyond Organic, join host Jerry
Kay, publisher of the Environmental News Network (ENN.com), as we learn
more about the good, the bad, and the future of the U.S. Farm Bill. US activists
call for Ford changes (posted 10/27/04) Green activists in the US have continued campaigning
against the Ford Motor Group, calling for the company to commit to a
zero-emission future in a massive coordinated protest this week. War Spurs
Interest in Water Treatment (posted
10/27/04) It was September 11 that originated the drive for the country to take a
closer look at protecting its citizens. Our nation's drinking water has since
risen to become a top priority for protection. Zero
Waste: A Look at the Future of Reverse Osmosis (posted
10/27/04) With millions of gallons of water wasted daily by reverse osmosis systems in
the United States alone, it is no surprise that ZeroWaste technology is coming
to the forefront of the point-of-use (POU) industry. ‘Turn
off’ for energy efficiency (posted
10/27/04) The energy we use at home contributes to climate change, so saving energy is
not just good for people's pockets but good for the environment too Energy
Wars -- Foreign and Domestic (posted
10/27/04) "My party, the Republican party, is too deep in bed with the coal,
oil and electric utility industries to remember its free market
principles." Solar,
Geothermal Guides Nevada to RPS (posted
10/27/04) "What we just have an abundance of is sun. We're hoping that this
project will really jumpstart the other renewable projects that are underway in
Nevada." Open Letter to
Governor Schwarzenegger (posted 10/26/04) In fact, there is a solution sandwiched in between the opposites of energy
production and energy conservation, between existing technologies and
unrealistic technologies, between callous disregard for the environment and
callous disregard for economic development. Protecting
Utility Assets from Attacks by Terrorists (posted
10/26/04) Among the many results of the 9-11 attacks on U.S soil, increased concern for
protection of critical infrastructure from terrorist acts is the one with the
greatest potential impact for utilities and energy providers. Conservation
Tariff: Ending Customers vs. Shareholders' Impasse (posted
10/26/04) Traditional utility ratemaking pits the interests of utility shareholders
against customers in energy conservation and efficiency efforts. That is a
situation that Northwest Natural proposes to change through what it calls a
"conservation tariff." Utilities take
pass on offering broadband (posted
10/26/04) The nation's top telecommunications regulators are convinced
that electric-power lines are finally ready to become a revolutionary new way
for Americans to get high-speed Internet access EPA
designation puts wind in Moab's environmental sails (posted
10/26/04) When it comes to encouraging renewable energy use, the Moab
community is already in the forefront. Russia
seeks EU support for Iran's peaceful nuclear (posted
10/26/04) Russia is ready to cooperate with the leading EU states in the
implementation of Iran's nuclear energy programme Britain facing
crisis from climate change (posted
10/26/04) Britain
faces a multi-billion pound flood catastrophe from climate warming unless people
have a radical lifestyle change, an energy watchdog said yesterday. Kyoto Too
Little to Fix Warming (posted 10/26/04) Although
saved last week with Russian help, the Kyoto pact on global warming offers too
little to arrest climate change and governments should adopt more radical
solutions, the top U.N. climate expert said. Americans
Forego 10 Billion-Dollar Benefit (posted
10/26/04) Retail electricity consumers could save up to 9 percent of their power bill
in states that have yet to deregulate their electricity markets DATAMONITOR:
UK green energy outlook still grey (posted
10/26/04) Just 15% of industrial and commercial companies have a set target for
procuring green energy. Can
Lower Energy Rates Boost Economic Development (posted
10/26/04) The state of Maine has taken steps to promote economic development in areas
with high unemployment and low wages by offering incentives that include lower
taxes and lower energy costs. Bottom
Lines: Waking Up the Sleeping Giant of Solar Power (posted
10/26/04) Audubon
Society of Rhode Island's project promotes renewable energy (posted
10/26/04) The Audubon Society of Rhode Island yesterday announced a campaign to urge
thousands of people to use electricity from wind and water sources. Green power for Canada
(posted 10/26/04) Pollution Probe today released a long-term Green Power Vision and Strategy
for Canada to accelerate the development of low-impact renewable energy for
electricity across the country. Ontario Helps
Advance Sustainable Green Power Generation (posted
10/26/04) The Ontario government is partnering on a project that will reduce greenhouse
gases from manure and generate green power Green
Project Hoping Solar Panels Will Result in Significant Savings (posted
10/26/04) The amount of power generated by the solar array won't allow the Green
Project to disconnect completely from the power grid. So it will be an
experiment in net metering, the use of a bidirectional electric meter. Wind Ranch
Coming in '05 (posted 10/26/04) Albuquerque: A recently reinstated 1.5 cent per kilowatt-hour
federal production tax credit for wind developers will make the wind ranch an
economical source of electricity for Xcel customers FuelCell
Energy Teams With Chevron Energy Solutions to Sell Its First One Megawatt
DFC1500 Unit in California to Alameda County (posted
10/26/04) A leading manufacturer of large stationary fuel cell power plants for
commercial and industrial customers, announced today its first one-megawatt
Direct FuelCell power plant sale in California to Alameda County Dairy
introduces system to help with waste problem (posted
10/26/04) The Joseph Gallo Farms Cottonwood Dairy near Atwater has 5,000 cows, and each
one of them produces about 120 pounds of liquid and solid waste per day.
>$183
Billion Market for Water, Wastewater and Filtration Products and Services by
2010 (posted 10/25/04) Suppliers of water and wastewater treatment products and services and
suppliers of filtration products and services will achieve worldwide sales of
$183 billion dollars in 2010 up from $122 billion in 2004 alternative
energy returns to Connecticut (posted
10/25/04) Connecticut consumers will be offered new choices next year to buy
electricity from renewable sources, such as wind and water -- if they are
willing to pay more for it. Brothers
to Plead Guilty in Ontario Water Disaster (posted
10/25/04) During a judicial inquiry into the outbreak, the brothers admitted to
falsifying well logs, mislabeling water samples, and allowing unchlorinated
water to flow to the taps of unsuspecting town residents. The E. coli contamination that struck the town came from cow manure on
a nearby farm that found its way into a poorly maintained town well after heavy
rains. Calif.
Utility to Return $35M to State (posted
10/25/04) One of California's largest utilities has pledged to return millions of
dollars in performance-related bonuses awarded by the state after admitting it
underreported on-the-job injuries for the last seven years. EDF to build
nuclear prototype (posted 10/25/04) France, which depends on nuclear power for 80% of its energy,
is to build a new atomic reactor which EDF says is safer, cheaper and more
environmentally friendly than those in use. ELECTRICITY
PILOT PLAN STILL HAS NO BIDDERS (posted
10/25/04) Volunteers for Dominion Virginia Power's pilot programs for
energy choice will have to wait to buy electricity from a competing company. Feds
Say No Extra Water for Georgia's Gwinnett County (posted
10/25/04) "In order to take water out of a federal reservoir, you need a water
supply contract with the federal agency, Fewer Hoops
for Solar Power on Fed Lands (posted
10/25/04) The Bush administration Thursday announced new guidelines for streamlining
the approval of plans for solar power projects on federal lands. Florida to
Begin Everglades Overhaul Project (posted
10/25/04) The state of Florida plans to launch eight Everglades restoration projects,
building reservoirs that could ease suburban flooding and environmental damage
from hurricanes. Portugal
Rejects Use of Nuclear Energy (posted
10/25/04) The Portuguese government has ruled out the use of nuclear energy as a
measure to reduce the country's high dependency on petroleum Pinnacle West
Reports Third Quarter Earnings (posted
10/25/04) "Our results reflect milder weather and rising costs necessary to meet
Arizona's growing energy needs," said Chairman Bill Post, citing customer
growth that is three times the national average. Pataki,
state need to act to protect air quality (posted
10/25/04) New York state needs to be the leader and protect us from the
planned federal rollbacks by the Bush administration ("Clear Skies false
signal," Oct. 11). Power plant pollution continues to hurt New Yorkers. Npower to burn
tree fuel at plant (posted 10/25/04) Npower will start burning willow branches as well as coal at
its Didcot power plant after signing the country's first major purchase order
for renewable biomass supplies. Global Warming
Effects Faster Than Feared (posted
10/25/04) Recent
storms, droughts and heat waves are probably being caused by global warming,
which means the effects of climate change are coming faster than anyone had
feared, climate experts said. Global Warming
Seen as Security Threat (posted 10/25/04) Rising
sea levels force millions of Bangladeshis into India, fueling ethnic and
religious tensions that end in bloody riots. Greece unveils
program to boost renewable energy sources (posted
10/25/04) The Greek government plans to reform a regulatory framework
covering Renewable Energy Sources, to improve planning conditions for the
installation of such units and to strengthen electricity networks in the country High Emissions
Credit Costs Continue To Hurt Cinergy (posted
10/25/04) "The market price for SO2 has increased dramatically from last year to
this year," Massive Wind Farm
Plan for UK (posted 10/25/04) Gamesa Energy UK -- a division of one of the world's biggest renewable energy
developers -- already has a portfolio for 400 megawatts in Wales and wants to
add another 1, 600 total megawatt capacity elsewhere in Britain. Nevada tribe
says court order may mean power plant can remain viable (posted
10/25/04) Participants in a regulatory review of the Mohave Generating
Station at Laughlin said Thursday they are encouraged by a proposed order that
could mean the power plant will continue operating. Mohave Plant
Status in Limbo (posted 10/25/04) The future of the Mohave Generating Station remains undecided after a
proposal late Wednesday that urged denial of a conditional certificate for
continued operation of the plant. Federal
grant to help build "clean coal' plant (posted
10/25/04) It sounds like a can't-miss proposition: The U.S. Department
of Energy awarded a $235-million grant on Thursday toward the construction of a
high-tech "clean coal" power plant in eastern Orange County that will
generate more than 1,800 jobs. power-plant
grant has nothing to do with politics (posted
10/25/04) The announcement of a $235 million federal grant for a
coal-fueled power plant in Orlando comes less than two weeks before the
presidential election. Public Must
Weigh in on Mercury Emission Regulation (posted
10/25/04) The debate is not about whether Indiana should develop a mercury rule. The
Air Board has already indicated its intent to do so. The issue now becomes the
substance of that rule, and all of us need more information before meaningful
public debate can begin. Report warns
of electricity woes (posted 10/25/04) A report by the California Energy Commission says Southern California could
see severe electricity shortages as early as summer 2006 and Northern California
could follow two years later. Researcher
Turns Wastewater into Electricity (posted
10/25/04) "By creating a treatment process that generates a product with market
value, such as electricity, the substantial costs of building, operating, and
maintaining wastewater facilities may be offset." Russia set to
ratify Kyoto pact (posted 10/25/04) Russia's
parliament is due to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, the last hurdle before the
long-delayed climate change treaty comes into force worldwide. Salt
River Project moves forward with production-scale rollout of Elster
Electricity's EnergyAxisr System (posted
10/25/04) Elster's system features powerful two-way RF communications The deployment
will enable SRP to collect data for electricity consumption and time-of-use
(TOU) metering from apartments, townhouses, residential homes and small
commercial businesses in the Phoenix area. Schwarzenegger
Opens Stop on 'Hydrogen Highway' (posted
10/25/04) California
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dedicated a pioneering hydrogen fueling station last
week, calling it the first stop in a "hydrogen highway" that would
someday stretch across the nation's most populous state as drivers switch to the
cleaner-burning fuel. Solar
energy, a new source of energy for farmers in W. China (posted
10/25/04) Shi Weihong, an ordinary farmer at a mountainous village in
southern Ningxia, now cooks meals and keeps warm in winter with a solar energy
stove, a clean energy source that has became popular in the region. USDA
Awards $3.8 Million in Water Quality Grants (posted
10/25/04) Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced that 10 grants totaling more
than $3.8 million have been awarded for research, education, and extension
projects to improve the quantity and quality of water resources across the
country. Viruses
Found In Wisc. Groundwater (posted
10/25/04) "There is a misconception that groundwater is pure because it is
filtered simply by the process of passing through the soil, but that isn't
always the case, Waterproofing
the Home Property Market (posted 10/25/04) Starting July 2007, Sydney, Australia, homes built before July of 2004 will
need to be fitted with water-efficient showerheads, taps and other devices
before they can be sold. Yucca Mountain
to Be at Capacity Before Opening (posted
10/25/04) More nuclear waste than the planned repository at Yucca Mountain can hold
will pile up at reactor sites as the government continues to approve license
extensions for power plants, an environmental research organization claimed in a
study to be released today. BP Solar
Annual Production Boost (posted 10/23/04) BP Solar announced three projects aimed at strengthening its position in the
global solar photovoltaic (PV) market. Energy
Independence Emerges as Pivotal Campaign Issue (posted
10/23/04) Americans overwhelmingly view independence from foreign oil as a major
campaign issue in the upcoming presidential campaign. "...it is the issue of energy independence that offers the most
surprising glimpse into the mindset of Americans, particularly Republicans.
" New Inverter
Launches at Solar Power 2004 (posted
10/23/04) If companies in the solar industry seem to have been quiet the past few
weeks, it's not for a lack of projects, developments or new products. PTC Revival
Spurs GE Wind Power Projects (posted
10/23/04) Many leading developers of wind projects now are encouraged to move
forward with their plans to significantly increase the country's supply of wind
electricity." Roadmap
Tackles Lagging U.S. Solar Industry (posted
10/23/04) "We now have a choice: do we create those jobs in the US, or do we
watch them go overseas to Japan and Germany?" Wind Energy
from Bering Sea to Power St. Lawrence Island (posted
10/23/04) Remote villages in Alaska are used to power provided by diesel generators or
wood fires, but soon the people living there will get power from the wind as
well. Wind Energy
Gains Corporate Strength (posted 10/23/04) "The move reflects the positive support that wind energy has been
receiving around the world as more and more governments set up favourable
frameworks for wind energy markets." After
125 Years, What's Next for Big Oil? (posted
10/22/04) Like its cohorts, some people within ChevronTexaco envision a time in which
oil might not be the dominant fuel source for transportation. There are still
plenty of other markets for petroleum products, from fuels and lubricants to
fertilizers and construction compounds. BP Texas City
plant to shut hydrogen unit (posted
10/22/04) BP will
shut a hydrogen unit at its Praxair BP Texas City refinery for the month of
November for turnaround and process upgrades Britain has no
room for energy supply complacency (posted
10/22/04) Britain should not become complacent over its energy supply
situation although the country has enough gas and power to meet consumer demands
this winter, British energy regulator Ofgem said Wednesday. Congresswoman
critical of energy regulatory panel (posted
10/22/04) The letter was sent Monday to President Bush. It criticizes
him and his appointees on the five-member commission for failing to order
refunds for utilities harmed during the 2000-01 Western energy crisis by Enron
Corp. and other companies. Connecticut
residents can use 'clean power' while sticking with current company (posted
10/22/04) Electricity customers can stay with their current power companies and still
sign up for "green power" under a final decision by the Connecticut
Department of Public Utility Control released Wednesday. Energy
Savings Equal to Consumption of 180,000 households (posted
10/22/04) "Energy efficiency is everyone's business. That's why
we're increasing our awareness-raising efforts to encourage people to make
purchases and investments that support the achievement of our target when
renovating or when purchasing appliances and equipment, EPA identifies
Nevada power-generation plant as heavy polluter (posted
10/22/04) The future of the Mohave Generating Station remains undecided after a
proposal late Wednesday that urged denial of a conditional certificate for
continued operation of the plant. Gas Cos To
Talk To FERC About Need For More Storage (posted
10/22/04) Although there appears to be enough gas in storage to meet this winter's
demand, the natural gas industry sees a strong need for more storage facilities
in order to help reduce price volatility in the gas market Georgian
leader says "sabotage" group killed after power grid attack (posted
10/22/04) President Mikheil Saakashvili has announced that Georgian
security forces have killed saboteurs who attacked the country's power grid. He
said that the group was "destroyed" shortly after it blew up three
pylons earlier this month. Grant
fuels Orlando, Fla., utilities commission plan for coal plant (posted
10/22/04) Orlando expects to nail down a $235 million federal grant today to build
another power plant in east Orange County fired by coal, a fuel increasingly
regarded as loaded with toxic pollutants, damaging to the global climate and due
for phasing out. To build a generation system that pollutes less than
traditional coal plants. IRAN TO
CONSTRUCT GAS POWER PLANT IN ZIMBABWE (posted
10/22/04) During the meeting, expressed Iran's readiness to bolster
economic ties with African countries, Nigerian tribe
gives Shell an ultimatum (posted 10/22/04) Nigeria's
Ogoni tribe has threatened mass action against the local unit of Royal Dutch
Shell if the oil giant fails to withdraw troops from the area within seven days. Nuclear waste
storage remains an issue in Virginia (posted
10/22/04) The debate over what to do with waste left over from nuclear
power plants heated up after a report released Wednesday detailed how much used
fuel will be left at sites once the nation's permanent repository is full. Oil
Back Up to $55 on US Winter Stocks (posted
10/22/04) Oil prices
charged back up to $55 a barrel this week as a fresh fall in U.S. heating oil
stocks stoked worries over winter supplies. Power supply
crisis looms in Tanzania due to incessant drought (posted
10/22/04) A power supply crisis is looming large in Tanzania as
incessant drought has caused the water levels in reservoirs to go down with one
already at its record low. Review
gives thumbs up to Richland, Wash., nuclear plant (posted
10/22/04) A Nuclear Regulatory Committee review of safety performance of the Richland
plant that produces commercial nuclear fuel found that it has corrected problems
found in a 2003 emergency exercise. Speaker's
Natural Gas Task Force Endorses New Alaska Gas Pipeline (posted
10/22/04) Chairman Joe Barton today endorsed new laws signed by
President Bush that will make the long- awaited Alaska Gas Pipeline a reality
and fulfill the promise of affordable natural gas for homeowners and businesses
in America. U.S.
Consumers Get Cold Feet as Energy Costs Soar (posted
10/22/04) The surging cost of fuel oil and gasoline have set the stage for a cold,
expensive winter in the United States and sparked concerns that consumers will
cut spending, a move economists worry will hamper growth. Waste
companies seen topping expectations in qtr (posted
10/22/04) Surging
energy costs and a lack of pricing power are keeping investors hesitant about
waste management companies World
Living Beyond Its Environmental Means (posted
10/22/04) The
world is consuming some 20 percent more natural resources a year than the planet
can produce, conservationist group WWF said yesterday. Kerry Wins
Fans Abroad with Global Warming Plan (posted
10/21/04) Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry has won plaudits abroad for his
promises to fight global warming but could find his hands tied at home if he
wins next month's U.S. elections. 38,000
- Jobs Promise After Report Spotlights the Region's Wind- Power Potential (posted
10/20/04) Wind power is set to generate more than 38,000 jobs in the region over the
next 15 years. Climate change is the biggest threat we face and the
manufacturing expertise in the North East must be harnessed to build the
renewable energy technology that will help defeat global warming. Alcoa Says
Legislation Allows Relicensing Of 4 Dams (posted
10/20/04) Alcoa Inc. received government approval for a plan to relicense four of its
hydroelectric dams with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Alternative
energy seems popular, but may not be cost-effective (posted
10/20/04) "I've always been fascinated by the direct connection between the usage
of energy and the energy source, Aust Gas sets
sights on renewable energy (posted
10/20/04) The Australian Gas Light Company is actively pursuing investment
opportunities in renewable power generation and engaging further with the
community on energy efficiency initiatives as part of a range of policies aimed
at promoting a more sustainable energy industry. Backup
Generators Could Have Averted Energy Crisis (posted
10/20/04) If all of the state's backup generators had been used during California's
energy crisis, they would have supplied enough power to prevent blackouts The batteries are coming
(posted 10/20/04) The Peoria company that wants to revolutionize America's
battery habit is coming out of the weeds. Firefly expects to offer an
alternative to lead acid batteries that power cars, trucks and motorcycles as
well as those used in the reserve power segment -- batteries that back up
telecommunications and computer data when power goes out. Big cut in
mercury emissions affordable (posted
10/20/04) Pennsylvania's residential electricity customers would pay about a $1 per
month more to pay for equipment to reduce mercury emissions from the state's
coal-fired power plants by 90 percent, the National Wildlife Federation said. California Law
Shines on New Solar Energy Projects (posted
10/20/04) Just in time for the solar industry's major conference in San Francisco this
week, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill that will make it
less difficult for homes and businesses hoping to install solar energy systems
in towns that tend to find the projects aesthetically unfit for their tastes. China Eyes AP1000
Reactor (posted 10/20/04) U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman Nils Diaz said Tuesday that a
decision on export licensing for Westinghouse's AP1000 nuclear reactor
technology is expected within a few months, clearing the path for China to
become one of the first customers. China to
generate additional 500 million kw of generating capacity (posted
10/20/04) A senior official of the Chinese power industry said here on October 18 China
will be have an additional installed capacity of 500 million kW of electricity
in the next 15 years. Coal Stays on
the Front Burner (posted 10/20/04) Suggests it might be time again to consider reserving natural gas for higher
value uses such as heating, and letting coal replace gas for other uses such as
electricity generation. Cooperatives
Caution FERC on 'Special Treatment' for Wind Power (posted
10/20/04) FERC should deny "special treatment" sought by the American Wind
Energy Association (AWEA) in a recent filing related to interconnecting wind
power to the transmission grid, a move that appears to be "based solely on
the economic interests of the wind industry rather than the technical
characteristics of wind generation, Corruption
rampant in many leading oil-producing nations: survey (posted
10/20/04) Corruption is rampant in several of the world's leading oil-producing
nations, according to the latest annual survey by non-governmental organization. Crude
see-saws, supply seen stable for now (posted
10/20/04) Energy consultant Jim Ritterbusch said in a report that the lower Dem Lawmakers
Ask Bush To Push FERC On Calif Elec Refunds (posted
10/20/04) More than 30 Democratic Congressmen from western states are urging U.S.
President George W. Bush to tell the chief of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission to take "immediate action" to refund billions of dollars to
California electricity consumers. DOE Responds
to Yucca Mountain Decision (posted
10/20/04) "The court dismissed all challenges to the site selection of Yucca
Mountain. [It] rejected the state of Nevada's challenge to the constitutionality
of the resolution approving Yucca Mountain.... While the court did not question
the scientific validity of the EPA's standards, it did vacate ... the
10,000-year compliance period. Drop in US green
lawsuits (posted 10/20/04) An American-based NGO has claimed in a study last week that the number of
lawsuits filed against polluters and other environmental offenders has fallen by
75% since President George W. Bush took over, signalling a slack approach to
green legislation. Election-Year
Politics: What's New Under the Sun? (posted
10/20/04) "President Bush's party controls both houses of Congress, yet has no
new, substantive solar energy legislation for Bush-Cheney '04 to tout in the
campaign. " Geothermal in
Harlem Means a Greener City (posted
10/20/04) "It says a lot of good things about the prospects for redeveloping
the country's emerging urban markets in ways that are responsible to the
environment, responsible to long term stakeholders and that encourage the
entrance of new financial and human resources into communities that had been
long overlooked." High prices to
last a while yet (posted 10/20/04) COAL Buyers are suffering now and cannot long
sustain the current historically high prices. Nonetheless, he too argued that
coal prices were unlikely to fall precipitously. "For too long prices were
too low. They had to go up," Hope Creek to stay
offline (posted 10/20/04) The Newark-based parent of New Jersey's largest electric
utility announced Monday that the Hope Creek plant in Salem County, which was
shut down Oct. 10 due to a steam pipe failure, will remain offline so the
company can begin a planned refueling. Hospital Cures
High Electric Bill with Solar Energy (posted
10/20/04) There is PV as far as the eye can see on the roof of the Lifetime Health Care
facility. 624 panels will help insulate the roof as well as produce up to
116,000 kWh of power annually. Hydrogen on
Demand is Military Goal (posted 10/20/04) The program is based on utilizing fuel cell systems as interchangeable power
sources for military equipment Las Vegas
Valley Water District to Generate Solar Power (posted
10/20/04) Directors approved a $22.6 million contract to initiate the development and
construction of a 3.1-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) solar energy project that will
be one of the largest ever built by a public agency in the United States. Mission
Viejo, Calif., Residents Decide on Burying Overhead Power Lines (posted
10/20/04) More than 5,000 residents might pay to preserve their views and bury 3.1
miles of power lines that Southern California Edison is planning to string
behind their back yards. Nevada program
will teach workers to install solar (posted
10/20/04) Nevada officials on Monday announced a federally funded
program to train electrical workers to install solar systems. New Hydrogen
Generation on the Rise (posted 10/20/04) With visions of a future hydrogen economy, scientists around the world have
thrown themselves headlong into a wide-variety of hydrogen research projects. Oakland,
Calif., and FedEx plan to build private solar power system (posted
10/20/04) FedEx Corp. and the city of Oakland announced plans Monday to
build California's largest private solar power system, bringing the city a step
closer to achieving Mayor Jerry Brown's goal of producing five megawatts of
solar energy per year by 2005. Power
plant on Arizona-Nevada border may be shutting down (posted
10/20/04) Southern California Edison may shut down the Mohave Generating
Station on the Arizona-Nevada border by the end of 2005. Scientist
Envisions Small-Scale Hydropower (posted
10/20/04) A scientist says the United States could more than double its hydropower
supply by harnessing the energy of smaller streams. Secretary,
senator campaign for Coburn on energy (posted
10/20/04) A member of President Bush's Cabinet and a Republican senator from Kansas
charged Monday that Brad Carson would help Senate Democrats stall the
president's energy policy. "Tom Coburn has made irresponsible and insensitive comments about every
group in Oklahoma including seniors, veterans, Native Americans, and the people
of Oklahoma City." Southern
Co Group To Get $200M For Clean-Coal Generator (posted
10/20/04) The U.S. Department of Energy will give more than $ 200 million to a
consortium led by Southern Co. (SO) to build a clean coal-fired power plant in
Florida SPR
build's cost proving heavy on US taxpayers (posted
10/20/04) October has marked the end of 15 consecutive months of additions to the US
Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and it could be as good a time as any to tabulate
the cost of the Bush administration's persistent stock building effort on the US
taxpayer. Student
Activists Deliver Clean Energy Declaration (posted
10/20/04) Over 6,000 citizens call upon Ford, America's
worst-ranked automaker, to commit to zero emissions future UK
approaching ‘recycling revolution’ (posted
10/20/04) “We know what we can recycle, we know how we can recycle - now it is time
to recycle that recycling awareness into recycling action. US retail
power market expected to grow (posted
10/20/04) US competitive retail power market growth only will inch above levels posted
in 2003, but show much stronger growth in 2005, 2006 and beyond. Winds Stirring Up North
(posted 10/20/04) While the reinstated Production Tax Credit for wind energy has revived the
sector in the United States, at least temporarily, recent actions in Canada are
aimed at growing the nascent sector there. World Sales of
Solar Cells Jump 32 Percent (posted
10/20/04) World production of solar cells which convert sunlight
directly into electricity soared to 742 megawatts (MW) in 2003, a jump of 32
percent in just one year. With solar cell production growing by 27 percent
annually over the past five years, cumulative world production now stands at
3,145 MW, enough to meet the electricity needs of more than a million homes. National coal
industry group not partial to either presidential candidate (posted
10/18/04) "If you look at the details, there's really very little
difference between the candidates," said Robert A. Beck Jumbo Flying
Squid Found Off Alaska Is First of the Species Recovered from British Columbia
Waters (posted 10/18/04) "It's unprecedented," he said. "It speaks of a fundamental
change in the ocean along the coast." IPP scrambling
for coal Shutdown of Skyline Mine (posted
10/18/04) Falling production levels of Utah coal
have created a desperate situation for the state's largest coal-fired power
plant. Horizon
Organic Joins White Wave in Using Renewable Energy Source for 100 (posted
10/18/04) Horizon Organic, the leading U.S. manufacturer of certified
organic foods, announces today that it will replace the electrical power used in
its operations with sustainable wind energy, exclusively using wind power for
its supply chain. GE Energy gets
wind project contracts (posted 10/18/04) GE Energy in Atlanta said Monday it has secured contracts to supply more than
750 megawatts of wind turbines for 2004-2005 projects in the United States. From Europe
Energy-server (posted 10/18/04) News from the European Front! Federal
government announces $25 million in funding for Alberta wind farm (posted
10/18/04) MONTREAL: The $24.7 million
for Summerview Wind Farm, near Pincher Creek in southern Alberta, comes after a
commitment in the throne speech to address climate change and support altenative
energy industries Energy
Companies Face Jury Trial (posted 10/18/04) In a significant blow to Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE), a far-reaching antitrust
lawsuit alleging conspiracy and market manipulation that contributed to the
state's devastating energy crisis in 2000 and 2001 will be heard by a jury. East Timor
government launches public consultation on oil fund (posted
10/18/04) East Timor's government this week launched public consultation on key issues
related to the establishment of a Petroleum Fund, which will hold and re-invest
the country's oil and gas revenues. China takes
sustainable development of energy sources as its national strategy (posted
10/18/04) Along with an annual GDP growth rate of 9 percent in the last 20 years, China
also saw a soaring energy demand and deteriorating environment. Invest in coal
or see winter power cuts (posted 10/18/04) London UNION
LEADERS are to meet the Chancellor Gordon Brown to warn of the risk of a winter
of blackouts as Britain's electricity generating capacity begins to run down. Blackout Britain (posted
10/18/04) BRITAIN faces energy blackouts and price rises because of a "looming
generating crisis" in the electricity industry, unions warned yesterday. American
Indians Who Fish for Their Food Are Worried About Mercury in the Nation (posted
10/18/04) American Indians are adding their voices to the controversy over mercury in
the nation's waters, saying they are among the biggest consumers of fish and
therefore more at risk from contamination. 2005 Models Now
Posted on EPA (posted 10/18/04) The 2005 models, including cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans, are now 3 State
Utilities May Offer Internet Via Power Lines (posted
10/18/04) Clearing the way for homes and businesses to receive high-speed Internet
services through their electrical outlets, the Federal Communications Commission
adopted rules this week that would enable the utility companies to offer an
alternative to the broadband communications services now provided by cable and
phone companies. Npower secures
BT green contract (posted 10/18/04) The deal with telecommunications giant BT means that Npower
will supply virtually all the company's power using environmentally friendly
energy. Public
Citizen: Nuclear regulations influenced by contributions (posted
10/18/04) Large contributions from the nuclear industry appear to have influenced the
Bush administration on security matters for commercial nuclear plants and other
major infrastructure in the U.S., asserts the advocacy group Public Citizen. US
coal imports could hit 75-mil tons in 5-10 years: executive (posted
10/18/04) A reduction in
Mistake
Led To Natural Gas Price Surge (posted 12/23/04)
Mistake Led To Natural Gas Price Surge (State News, VA,
December 22nd, 2004, 9:20 a.m.) Federal officials say a mistake by a clerk
at Dominion Transmission Incorporated may have cost American consumers
hundreds of millions of dollars in excess energy ...
Dec
22, 2004 WTKR, Virginia
"Our global mission has advanced on many fronts but the allegations
about the oil-for-food program have cast a shadow
over the operations that brought relief to millions of Iraqis."
(UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Tuesday referring to the scandal
about the recent oil for food programme in Iraq).
See more industry/OPEC viewpoints. http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/Quote of
the Day/
"early-winter euphoria" subsides and market realities set in
"major injuries and significant structural damage" within a 250-meter
to
500-meter zone from the spill's origin
by its filing before a US Bankruptcy Court in Houston
crude output cuts agreed at OPEC's Dec 10 meeting
to launch exploration in onshore and offshore areas under its sovereignty.
"The important thing is that 1-mil b/d is being taken out by OPEC.
OPEC has been pumping over quota for several months in a bid to ease high oil
prices, but despite the cartel's move to curb oversupply, oil prices may still
fall further,"
(Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali Naimi said referring to OPEC's decision to cut
production by 1-mil b/d from January.)
See more industry/OPEC viewpoints. http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/Quote of
the Day/
futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange Tuesday
- Governor Bill Richardson
with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2008 at least one combined
construction and operating license (COL)
producers and on-site generation, is expected to rise to 5,467-bil kWh in 2025
from 3,657-bil kWh in 2003, an average increase of 1.8%/year
producers largely because lawmakers have allowed a 1.8-ct production tax credit
to expire before voting to renew it.
Information Administration on Tuesday pulled back sharply on its earlier
estimates for winter gas prices.
Tim Wilkinson has taken on that dilemma as a personal challenge.Crude futures reversed last week's slide to climb Monday mainly amid a 90,000
b/d outage in Nigerian production due to renewed militant activity and news
that OPEC was leaning toward a rollover of its ceiling for the first quarter
of next year
long-term solutions to what he called the "looming crisis in natural gas
supply and demand."
The nation's electricity grid is strained.
Coal, oil and natural gas prices are at or near record levels.
Ice is melting in the Arctic, heating up the debate about fossil fuels and
global warming.
seen over the previous two days as fears of winter supply shortages receded.
200 militants stormed three flow stations operated by Shell and ChevronTexaco in
the swamps of Nigeria's Rivers State early
Sunday
morning, forcing them to halt operations and effectively shutting in about
100,000 b/d of crude production.
http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/Whats%20Moving%20the%20Market/"OPEC feels oil prices will remain high in the first quarter of
2005 due to geopoliticalfactors.
- Senate Minority Leader Senator Harry Reid
"Today it is really a demand-driven situation where everyone is
taken by surprise in 2004 by the surge in demand, it is
demand that is pulling the price up."
Saudi oil minister Ali Naimi said at the Royal Institute of International
Affairs in London, insisting that high prices were mainly driven by rising
demand for oil.
See more industry/OPEC viewpoints.The US will reduce the maximum sulfur specifications in diesel to 15 parts per
million beginning in 2006.
long-lived waste management policy.
weekend tanker spill near Philadelphia has resumed on a case-by-case basis,
the US Coast Guard reported Monday
levels of around 9.5-mil b/d if required to do so.The ministers discussed oil prices over dinner Sunday, and Brinkhorst said that all agreed there should be more
investment upstream and downstream, more energy efficiency and more transparency.
"The time is right for a real dialog with OPEC.
coal-fired units at Oak Creek, giving the green light for construction of a
total of 1,200 MW of coal-fired power
and "a small amount" of natural gas production in the North Sea
following a
gas leak at its Snorre A platform Sunday eveningIn the 1990s, investor were making a 15-16% rate of return and were happy with
an oil price of $20/bbl, Naimi said after a speech to an industry conference
in London. "If you wanted to make that rate of return in today's environment,
you would probably be looking at $30-34/bbl
massive increase in wholesale UK gas prices over the past year, it said
Friday.
It is reported that over 70 % of China's power generating facilities are fuelled
by coal, and the remaining are almost all hydropower installations.
Petroleum is black magic, the lifeblood of our civilization.
"We have an interest in contributing to stability on world
energy markets."
(Venezuelan oil minister, Hugo Chavez said in reference to a two-day visit to
Russia to discuss possible arms and energy deals). See more
industry/OPEC viewpoints. http://www.platts.com/Oil/Resources/Quote of the Day/
energy sources 'with high potential' as a way of meeting the EU's 2010
renewables target
continuing weakness of the US dollar
(posted 11/23/04)
claim that it has jurisdiction over a proposed liquefied natural gas import
terminal in the state, supported the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's
contention that it has sole authority over LNG terminals under section 3 of
the Natural Gas Act.
More than 40 species were planted from throughout the United States, Europe and
Asia. Today, about 30 species not only survive, but thrive.
"You have to think about what's the
reliability that's going to keep the computerized assembly lines and all the
other digital equipment from going off.
"That means you have to keep the power on
and keep its integrity on a fraction of the cycle basis."
They die -- whether it's anthills or human
civilizations -- when their populations exceed their access to energy.
"We are rapidly approaching a world of 9-10
billion people," he forecast, with some 2 billion without access to
electricity now.
earlier this year by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in preparing new legislation
designed to limit greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
project future prices moves, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh said Monday.
"No one can comment definitely on the future of crude prices and we should
be careful that the market not face high (levels) and sudden (declines) in
prices.
recover some 500-bil cu ft/year of gas by 2015, according to the new Methane to
Markets Partnership.
by 31.3% of US households.
rules from Sweden to Turkey and from Bulgaria to Portugal
production and on the overall business climate in the country
"When you get the politics right, the markets will work
The premier issue of EnergyBiz magazine, now mailing to
leaders in the $350 billion electric and natural gas industry, reports on
emerging trends in the all-important economic sector touching the lives of all
Americans and every commercial and industrial enterprise.
November 3, 2004 -
Denver, CO (News Release)
reducing pollution emissions that cause global warming, the Kremlin said.
Russia's ratification of the treaty will come in force three months after the
president has notified the United Nations on the move, the Kremlin said.
Protection Plan, which will detail the Bush administration's strategy for
protecting electricity, natural gas and oil facilities, on Nov 10, a DHS
official said Thursday.
congressional Republicans to mount another push for a comprehensive energy bill
either during a lame-duck session this month, or when the new Congress with a
stronger Republican majority convenes in January
leadership position now that Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has lost his
re-election bid.
through the region, amounted to 27,428,422 bbl
Where would we be without satellites? Most people
probably don't spend much time thinking about those high-tech orbs that allow us
to communicate instantly across the globe and beam massive amounts of
information over long distances, in real time.
California Energy
Markets - 10/25/04
prices partly reflected stable flows of oil--at least for the time
being--"from key areas of concern" Nigeria, Iraq and Russia.