News 2008:

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World CO2 since 1750 (cubic feet)

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July 29, 2008

Agencies develop plan to clean up Navajo contamination

Abandoned uranium ore mines in Navajo country have for decades been known to cause health problems. A five-agency coalition is finally doing something about it.

Australian Athletes Free to Withdraw Over Pollution

Australian athletes will be allowed to withdraw from their events at the Beijing Olympic Games if pollution poses a threat to their health and safety, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said on Monday.

California Student To Represent U.S. In Prestigious International Water Science Competition

The research rejects the claim by some manufacturers and others that products containing nanosilver are safe for the environment. Chai's project took steps to prove that nanosilver is harmful to its surrounding environment, even when put through a water filtration system.

Department of Energy Sees 20% Wind Energy by 2030

With wind energy currently providing about 1 percent of the U.S. electricity supply, its advocates have been trumpeting for several years its potential to provide an exponentially greater share. Now, they have a weapon.

More big energy bills in the works; US Senator Bingaman

The top Democrat on the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee told reporters Monday that he anticipated putting together another major energy bill next year, like the Energy Independence and Security Act his committee helped produce in 2007.

New Orleans Spill Snarls Nearly 200 Ships, Barges

More than 180 ships and barge tows were awaiting US Coast Guard permission to move along the Mississippi River after last week's oil spill in New Orleans, the worst in nearly a decade, a spokesman said on Monday.

New Satellite to Help Track Ocean Salt Levels

Researchers from around the world on Thursday approved the final design of the satellite, which is slated to launch in 2010 and expected to provide new clues to help better predict shifts in climate.

An ocean's salt level yields key information about the Earth's temperatures and ocean currents that may help scientists understand the effects of global warming.

Nuclear Projects in Central and Southeast Europe

A number of countries in central, eastern and southeastern Europe plan to build new nuclear power reactors or extend the life of existing ones to meet growing domestic demand and replace ageing power capacity.

Oregon council approves 909-MW windfarm, US Northwest's largest

Oregon's siting council Friday approved Caithness Shepherd Flats' proposal to build a 909-MW wind farm near Arlington, Oregon, that would be the largest in the US Northwest when built.

Paying the power bill; Utilities seek tax breaks as state looks to flip the switch for alternative-energy systems

As Michigan's two leading energy companies seek to power the state's future energy needs in part with wind turbines, they are also seeking state tax breaks.

Quote of the Day 072908

"Similar incidents have sparked more robust rallies in the past," MF Global said in a report, referring to the Nigerian pipeline attacks.
"The markets are paying more attention to weakening demand at the expense of potential short-term supply bottlenecks," the report added.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 072808

No flares occurred during the past 24 hours. The geomagnetic field was quiet to active. Active to unsettled conditions were observed from 27/2100Z to 28/0900Z, associated with a slight increase in solar wind velocity

Republicans vow to tie up US Senate over drilling measure

Having blocked a bid by US Senate Democrats to wring speculation out of
the oil and natural gas markets, Republicans senators on Friday said they
would not allow the chamber to take up any new legislation until they can get
a vote on their proposal to open more federal land, including the Outer
Continental Shelf, to energy development.

Scraping the bottom of the oil barrel a significant new climate risk

Exploitation of North America’s shale and tar-sand oil reserves could increase atmospheric CO2 levels by up to 15%, a new report from WWF-UK and the major UK financial group Co-Operative Financial Services (CFS) has warned.

SPR and the impact on prices

"We know that releasing Reserve oil will lower prices," he said in a prepared statement. "Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush each released oil from the Reserve. After their announcements, prices dropped $5 to $10 a barrel within days, and remained lower for months."

The EU's Energy and Climate Plan

France, which took over the EU presidency earlier in July, faces the tough task of balancing the interests of western European countries with those of eastern Europe, which fears emissions curbs will push up power prices and hurt growth.

Too Many French Nuclear Workers Contaminated

Too many French nuclear workers are being contaminated with low doses of radiation, an independent research group on atomic safety said on Thursday, a day after the latest incident in southern France.

Toronto Pays Citizens Hefty Grants For Projects Reducing Carbon Footprint

The Canadian city of Toronto is paying citizens for going green.  What’s been named the 'Live Green Toronto program', launched recently, has $20 million available over the next five years for citizen-driven carbon savings projects.

US State Wages Fight Against Toxic Chemicals

Hannah Pingree was so alarmed when she learned she had dangerously high levels of mercury, arsenic and other toxic chemicals in her body that she took her case to the Maine state legislature and challenged chemical makers.

US wraps up SPR deliveries for year as last oil shipment arrives

The US has halted crude oil deliveries to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
for this year as the last tanker carrying royalty-in-kind oil arrived Monday,
ending the Bush administration's effort to top off the nation's emergency
supply.

USCG says okays 'limited' vessel movement on Mississippi

"Very limited" vessel movement was being allowed inside a 100-mile stretch of the lower Mississippi River, which otherwise remains officially closed following Wednesday's fuel oil spill, the US Coast Guard said Friday.

Valuable Seagrasses Face Global Warming Threat

Seagrass meadows, which are vital for the survival of much marine life and a source of household materials in Europe and Africa, face a mounting threat from global warming, a report said on Friday.

What's Moving the Oil Markets 072908

•Global crude futures firmed in early European trading Tuesday amid low volumes, as the market continued to feel the impact of Monday's attack on two Nigerian oil pipelines that forced a 120,000 b/d halt in production.

•US preliminary petroleum demand figures for May released by the Energy Information Agency were revised lower Monday. Finished gasoline demand fell to 9.216 million b/d from a preliminary figure of 9.308 million b/d, a 2.7% decline year on year, while distillate demand was down 3.2% year on year.

•On a technical basis, "crude's rallies are vulnerable and we would advise not buying into them. We are looking for an eventual retreat to $121-122/b support basis the September WTI contract," MF Global added.

July 25, 2008

A Tank Isn’t Just a Tank; Key Things to Consider When Shopping For Potable Water Storage

Anyone who works with potable water will understand that corrosion is the principal enemy of the liquid storage tank. Because all types of stored liquids are aggressive toward tanks, the coating found on the interior is one of the most important factors to consider

Alaska House OKs license for TransCanada North Slope gas line

Alaska's House of Representatives late Tuesday approved a bill that would grant TransCanada an exclusive state license to build a pipeline carrying North Slope natural gas to US and Canadian markets.

Alaska's main cities at 'crossroads' in electricity needs; study

Six Alaska utilities should join together to form a state power authority
that would oversee regional generation and transmission operations, according
to a draft report released late Wednesday.

Arctic's Oil Could Meet World Demand for 3 Years

The Arctic Circle holds an estimated 90 billion barrels of recoverable oil, enough supply to meet current world demand for almost three years, the US Geological Survey forecast on Wednesday.

Biofuels Industry Grows in Latin America

Latin America is emerging as an important producer of biofuels, taking advantage of good climate and soil conditions. The following are key facts about the region's biofuels efforts.

California leads trade group's 'top 10' solar power utilities

SoCal Ed's long-standing contracts with the Solar Energy Generating
Systems, a group of nine solar plants in California's Mojave Desert, account
for its large solar portfolio

California Ports' Pollution Plan Proves a Big Haul

A short drive from the sandy beaches of Malibu rise two sprawling ports, where goods from around the world enter the United States before fanning out by road and rail to stores from coast to coast.

Can the U.S. Reach 100 Percent Renewable Electricity in 10 Years?

In Al Gore's speech this week in Washington, he said that the U.S. should strive toward getting 100 percent of its electricity from renewable resources in 10 years. Is it realistic to propose a target like that?

'Clean, simple and safe' energy grows in popularity

Surrounded by a cornfield and trees sits one of the state's newer power plants.

There are no telltale signs of a power plant -- no long lines of railroad cars filled with coal, no cooling towers releasing steam clouds, no smokestacks or big transformers.

Commercially Bred Bees Spread Disease to Wild Bees

Disease spread to wild bees from commercially bred bees used for pollination in agriculture greenhouses may be playing a role in the mysterious decline in North American bee populations, researchers said on Tuesday.

Don't Offset Your CO2 Emissions, Retire Them

Carbon Retirement offers consumers and companies a novel approach to offsetting their carbon footprint by letting them dip into the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme, the 27-nation bloc's flagship weapon in fighting climate change.

Energy plant foe wins appeal in Erie, Pa.

The hearing featured nearly three hours of debate, argument and sometimes-fiery discussion, much of it about a single word.

When it was over, the proposed scrap-tires-to-energy plant's tentative zoning OK from the city of Erie had disappeared.

Farmers Markets; Think Local as Well as Organic

After the industrialization of agriculture, farmers still sold at farmers markets, but it was just a matter of time before supermarkets were developed and farmers started selling to large companies that moved food all over the world; many Americans stopped planting gardens because it was so much easier to get "everything" at the store.

First Solar to Build 10 MW Solar PV Power Plant for Sempra Generation

First Solar to build 10 MW turnkey solar PV power plant near Boulder City, Nevada

GE And STW Resources To Turn Oil And Gas Field Waste Into Valuable Water Supply

GE Water & Process Technologies and STW Resources, Inc. (STW) announced they have formed a collaborative that will drastically reduce the amount of freshwater lost to the environment due to hydraulic fracturing, a commonly used oil and gas process.

Global PV Market Set to Take Off

The rapid growth in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry could lead to an oversupply situation in the short term, but could also lead to grid parity for PV in three to four years, opening many new doors for the industry

Here Comes the Smart Grid

UTILITY OPERATIONAL EXECUTIVES, INCLUDING CHIEF operating officers, vice presidents of operations and others, are well aware of the intelligent utility enterprise and smart grid movements sweeping the industry. But they also say it’s probably coming more slowly than many who see an impending energy crisis looming in the United States and the rest of the world would hope.

House panel sets terms for US nuclear cooperation with Russia

The US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee voted Thursday
to approve a bill establishing conditions for US-Russian nuclear cooperation,
which also may increase the chances that the two countries' cooperation deal
will go into effect before the end of the year.

Hydrogen vehicles nearly available for commercial use;  EERC director

...that some hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles could be commercially available in as few as four years.

Inbox 072208

Flash of Ingenuity. Waste Management Inc.'s introduction of consumer recycling kits for compact fluorescent bulbs, batteries and other types of household waste is drawing a lot of interest in the online news world.

Introduction to a Long Lecture on Oil

The world oil market is a very different thing today from what it was just a decade ago. The strength of global demand for oil has surprised just about everybody – except me of course – while at the same time it has become clear that there is and has been insufficient investment in additional production capacity

Investors Pressure Corporations to Address Climate

With the threat of climate change gaining greater recognition in the scientific, political, and businesses communities, investors are applying increased pressure on publicly traded corporations to study, analyze, and disclose the risks associated with this threat.

Large-Scale U.S. Solar Power Facilities Becoming Commonplace

A spate of announced plans to build large solar power facilities throughout the United States seems to indicate that relatively large-scale systems are becoming commonplace. The trend is most apparent in concentrating solar power (CSP)...

Microfinance; Loans to the World's Poorest Continue to Grow

The number of microborrowers increased by 17 percent in 2006.
The global loan portfolio grew by 34 percent in 2006.
The average microloan size is currently $1,026.
Women account for 98 percent of borrowers in Asia and two thirds of borrowers in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Native environmental hero; Jesus Leon Santos

In one of the most barren regions in the world, an indigenous farmer using ancient Mixteca traditions helped to conserve more than 4,000 acres of farmland, prevent massive soil erosion, increase local farm productivity, create more economic growth and, among other things, plant 2 million trees.

Nuclear trash or treasure; Environmental group sues over radioactive waste dump in Andrews

For some, Waste Control Specialists' sprawling radioactive waste dump in Andrews County is a godsend

Oil spills onto ice, climate among Arctic risks

Companies seeking oil in the Arctic will need better technology to clean up spills onto ice and could new face hazards such as rougher seas caused by climate change, experts said on Friday.

Paulson on Reinforcing Market Stability and Confidence

The following are remarks by Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. on reinforcing market stability and confidence at the New York Public Library.

Renewable Energy Industry Standards are Needed Now

Renewable energy equipment providers have historically set their marketing strategy to target off-grid and similar small, very tolerant users. Recently, there has been focus on utility scale systems.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 072308

The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly unsettled during day one (24 July), and quiet on days two and three (25, 26 July).

Santee Cooper CEO says mercury worries overblown

The high-stakes battle over Santee Cooper's plan to build a coal-fired power plant has grown more heated in recent weeks, with the utility's top executive and its $325-per-hour consultant arguing that concerns about the plant's mercury emissions are overblown.

Second Volcano Erupts in Alaska's Aleutian Chain

A second volcano in Alaska's Aleutian Islands has erupted in less than a month, shooting steam and ash as high as 20,000 feet (6,096 metres) into the air, officials said on Tuesday.

Solar PV Builds Momentum Across Europe

After years of being labeled a German phenomenon, the solar photovoltaic (PV) sector is building momentum across Europe, particularly in Spain.

Status and Outlook; New Rules of the California Climate Regime

Large-scale mandatory climate control regimes are on the verge of being implemented in California, soon to be followed across much of the western United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Study Reveals Air Pollution Is Causing Widespread Impact To Ecosystems

If you are living in the eastern United States, the environment around you is being harmed by air pollution. From Adirondack forests and Shenandoah streams to Appalachian wetlands and the Chesapeake Bay, a new report by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and The Nature Conservancy has found that air pollution is degrading every major ecosystem type in the northeastern and mid-Atlantic United States.

The Byproducts of Biodiesel Production Are Valuable Organic Acids, Researchers Say

In a move that could possibly change the economics of biodiesel refining, chemical engineers at Rice University have come up with a set of techniques for converting sometimes problematic biofuels waste into chemicals that fetch a profit.

Toward indigenous independence

Americans recently celebrated the Fourth of July holiday, formally known as Independence Day. One op-ed I saw asked how many people actually have read the Declaration of Independence

U.S. will see electric Minis in 2009; Other models could follow soon

The U.S. car market may be moving toward Mini's kind of small, fashionable and fuel-efficient vehicles, and the British brand will be ready as it prepares to launch its first electric vehicles in the United States in 2009 and a small crossover utility vehicle not long after.

US Banks, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

While overall the financial result for the US banking population is poor, some recognizable names such as Well Fargo, US Bancorp  and BB&T, continue to perform strongly.

US Senate defeats bill to limit speculation in energy markets

A vote designed to bring to a close debate on a Democrat-sponsored bill
to reduce energy market speculation which sponsors said would bring energy
prices down for consumers failed in the US Senate Friday amid an anticipated
Republican filibuster.

What's Moving the Oil Markets 072508

•Global crude futures firmed in early European trading Friday, adding to gains in the previous day's session. "After several days of steep losses, crude prices ended higher yesterday in what seemed to be a technical rebound

White House pushing Congress on energy bill

The White House Wednesday called on Congress to act on energy legislation, saying investment in domestic resources is imperative.

White House threatens SPR drawdown bill veto

The Bush administration Thursday threatened to veto a bill by House Democrats that would draw down crude oil from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, swapping out the light, sweet crudes currently stored there for heavier, sour crudes that would replace them.

Will Offshore Drilling Help?

If we mean help in terms of providing additional supply for domestic consumption, it may help a bit. But not much...

Wind Farms 'Could Create 30,000 Jobs'

The race to harness Britain's coastal wind energy could generate 30,000 jobs, the Government says.

World Leaders Endorse Nuclear Power

Nuclear energy now has a big endorsement from world leaders who say it is an effective means to slow global warming. But the Group of Eight cautioned that any future development must abide by nuclear nonproliferation standards.

July 22, 2008

Alternative energy a popular stop in U.S. campaign

A small green clearing on a hilltop beside the Ohio River doesn't seem like much of campaign stop, but John Baardson knows the scent of alternative energy and undecided voters will lure America's presidential contenders before long.

Brazil harnesses space tech to monitor deforestation

Brazil will launch a satellite in 2011 to monitor deforestation and urban expansion around the world, it has been announced.

ClimatePULSE; How to Avoid Catastrophe by Preparing for Greenhouse Gas Legislation Powered by BlogBurst

CC_logo_small.jpgIt is important that every company consider various forms of GHG regulations, specifically the impact on the business and which forms they will be most sensitive to.

GE, Abu Dhabi firm in $8 billion joint venture

...they have entered into an $8 billion joint venture with an initial focus on providing commercial finance in the Middle East and Africa.

The two companies also plan to work together in the clean energy and water, aviation, and oil and gas sectors, they said.

IRSN says no uranium found in 19 residents near Socratri plant

...it had run confirmatory checks on urine samples from 19 people living near the Socatri uranium treatment plant who feared contamination from the uranium-bearing effluent that accidentally leaked offsite and into local rivers and groundwater.

More bad news out of Mexico

After the recent declines in prices, it's difficult to sign on to the idea that the market is headed significantly lower still when the news keeps coming out of Mexico about that country's collapsing rate of production.

National coal waste proposal stalls

A Pittsburgh-area coal company helping to build a power plant that stores its pollution deep underground might have to wait for the next president to decide whether the project remains buried.

New coal plants in Michigan draw fire; Demand for power is growing, utilities say

Michigan electric companies say the voracious appetite for energy-sucking gadgets like plasma televisions, which use four times the power of old-fashioned screens, are pushing them to build the first new coal plants in the state in 20 years to satisfy the demand.

New Englanders abandoning fuel oil may put squeeze on gas supply

New England's natural gas supply will almost certainly be squeezed this winter if customers seeking to avoid skyrocketing heating oil costs turn either to gas or electricity to heat their homes, state officials and an energy economist warned.

Newly updated fuel cells report

Fuel cells provide direct current (DC) voltage that can be used to power motors, lights, or electrical appliances. Like batteries, fuel cells can be recharged while operating. They compete with other types of energy conversion devices such as gas turbines in power plants, gasoline engines in vehicles, and batteries in laptop computers. Fuel cells have the potential to become the dominant technology for automotive engines, power stations, and power packs for portable electronics.

Northwest's wind power could quadruple

Utilities and independent developers are poised to more than quadruple the amount of wind power in the Northwest, a huge increase that underscores the region's push for renewable energy.

Obama Shifts Stance on Environmental & Climate Issues

In May 1998, at the urging of the state's coal industry, the Illinois Legislature passed a bill condemning the Kyoto global warming treaty and forbidding state efforts to regulate greenhouse gases. Barack Obama voted "aye."

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee now calls climate change "one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation," and proposes cutting carbon emissions 80% by 2050.

Oil hits six-week low, storm concern fades

Oil fell $5 a barrel to a six-week low on Tuesday as a tropical storm moving over the Gulf of Mexico was expected to miss most major oil and gas installations.

Quote of the Day 072208

"Dolly is likely to reach hurricane status later today but at present will track well away from Mexico's Oil and Gas production facilities.

Reid to weigh development riders to speculation bill

With the US Senate prepared to vote on legislation Tuesday that would curb speculation in oil and natural gas markets, Majority Leader Harry Reid again offered to consider allowing Republicans an opportunity to propose amendments for more oil and natural gas development.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 072108

The geomagnetic field was quiet to unsettled, with an isolated active period from 0900-1200Z.  The geomagnetic field is expected to be mostly unsettled on day one (22 July), unsettled to active on day two (23 July), and mostly unsettled on day three (24 July).

Saying Goodbye to the American Lawn?

Like sunscreen and ocean air, the scent of a freshly mowed lawn is one of those quintessential summer smells in America. And there is a lot of lawn in America....the burgeoning “anti-lawn movement,” a rag-tag assortment of individuals and groups who are calling for an end to the lawn as we know it, favoring replacing it with trees, gardens or more natural meadow.

Silver lining? Smoke from North American wildfires may block solar radiation in the Arctic

"Smoke in the atmosphere temporarily reduces the amount of solar radiation reaching the surface,” according to Robert Stone, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. “This transitory effect could partly offset some of the warming caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases and other pollutants."

Soil database to help map CO2 storage, food output

Using the database, UN's Food and Agriculture Organization has also produced a global Carbon Gap Map to help identify areas with considerable soil carbon storage and degraded soils where billions of tons of CO2 could be sequestrated, it said

The UK's Green New Deal to Combat Economic Depression, Climate Change

Inciting the rhetoric of FDR during the days of the Great Depression, several economists, politicians, and environmentalists in the UK have made news recently with the proposal of the Green New Deal, an ambitious plan to fight the triple threats of the credit crunch, high gas prices, and climate change that are factoring to degrade life and the world as we know it.

Too Much Technology May Be Killing Beneficial Bacteria

a University of Missouri researcher has found that silver nanoparticles also may destroy benign bacteria that are used to remove ammonia from wastewater treatment systems.

Touring Alaska sites, House Republican calls for ANWR drilling

The US House of Representatives' top Republican, leading a group of House Republicans touring Alaska oil and natural gas facilities Monday, insisted the contested Arctic National Wildlife Refuge could be developed in an environmentally-sensitive manner.

Wetlands could unleash 'carbon bomb'

Wetlands contain 771 billion tons of greenhouse gases, one-fifth of all the carbon on Earth and about the same amount of carbon as is now in the atmosphere, the scientists said before an international conference linking wetlands and global warming.

If all the wetlands on the planet released the carbon they hold, it would contribute powerfully to the climate-warming greenhouse effect...

July 18, 2008

Bernanke on US Monetary Policy

The following is testimony by Chairman Ben S. Bernanke before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, U.S. Senate.

Biogas Flows Through Germany's Grid Big Time

The biggest biogas plant in the world to feed gas directly into the national gas grid is set to go into operation in eastern Germany at the beginning of 2009.

Brown Sets 'No Limit' on Number of Reactors to Be Built

Gordon Brown is to fast-track the building of at least eight nuclear power stations to cut Britain's dependence on oil following the dramatic rise in its price.

California's First Design-Build-Operate-Finance Water Recycling Facility Ready To Break Ground

The new Facility will utilize advanced treatment process technologies – incorporating MBR (membrane bioreactors), aerobic sludge digestion and UV (ultraviolet) disinfection – that will produce an effluent that meets or exceeds all current environmental wastewater quality standards mandated by the U.S. EPA and the California...

Canadian province of Ontario to join Western Climate Initiative

The 10 members of the Western Climate Initiative on Friday said the Canadian province of Ontario will join the organization formed in February 2007 to develop a regional plan to address climate change.

Climate change puts U.S. way of life at risk-- EPA

Risks include more heat-related deaths, more heart and lung diseases due to increased ozone and health problems related to hurricanes, extreme precipitation and wildfires, the agency said in a new report.

Climate change to boost energy prices, volatility; US senator

Climate change is likely to increase volatility for energy prices and force the next US president to confront new national security threats as a result, Senator Jack Reed told an energy conference Wednesday.

Companies help in wind farm project

Wind mill farms in northwest Oklahoma can't happen without a way to get the power to potential customers.

Dow and DOE research biomass-to-ethanol conversion

The process will use nonfood material, such as corn plant leaves or wood waste, to produce ethanol using a mixed alcohol catalyst from Dow that the company thinks is the key to unlocking the potential of cellulosic ethanol.

EPA, others work to develop CO2-capturing technology

The EPA, the Department of Energy, operators of electric generating plants and researchers are working together to develop technology for capturing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and pumping the gas deep underground for long-term storage.

Excelon reveals carbon footprint reduction project

Chicago-based utility Exelon Corp. has unveiled a plan to reduce or offset 15 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2020, more than it currently generates.

For second time since December, Rocky Mountain Power wants rate hike

For the second time in a little more than six months, Rocky Mountain Power is asking for another big rate increase.

Fuel Cell Cars Still 15 Years Away at Best - Study

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are still 15 years away from becoming a viable business for automakers even if they overcome remaining technical hurdles and the US government provides massive subsidies, a government-funded report said on Thursday.

Governors stop short of backing climate change fixes; Settle for consensus support of wind and solar tax credits

Governors from across the country agree that it will take bold leadership to confront the nation's energy crisis.

But they couldn't come to a consensus position on climate change or nuclear expansion or the future of coal.

Greatest Value Of Forests Is Sustainable Water Supply

The forests of the future may need to be managed as much for a sustainable supply of clean water as any other goal, researchers say in a new federal report – but even so, forest resources will offer no "quick fix" to the insatiable, often conflicting demands for this precious resource.

Inbox 071608

Longest Walk II reaches Washington

The 2008 walk, under the theme ''All Life is Sacred: Clean Up Mother Earth,'' successfully drew attention to universal issues like global warming, as well as the hard issues currently affecting Native communities, said Dennis Banks, organizer of the walk.

Make all U.S. electricity from renewable sources- Gore

"Our dangerous over-reliance on carbon-based fuels is at the core of all three of these challenges -- the economic, environmental and national security crises," the former Democratic vice president and presidential candidate in 2000 told a meeting in Washington.

Merger creates new coal giant

There's a new coal mining giant in Appalachia.

Missing fossils could warn of extreme climate to come

Did the tropics overheat during the Eocene some 55 to 34 million years ago? The answer holds the key to how our planet will respond to global warming, according to one climate researcher.

Not All is Gloom

Despite the fact that industrial and domestic users in southern Africa face unprecedented electricity deficits caused by limited power generation by major electricity utilities, it is not all doom and gloom because there are quick to long-term solutions.

NRC says Entergy didn't stay up to date

The owner and operator of Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon has failed to keep up to date on industry knowledge related to cooling tower failures, said Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairman...

Nuclear Debate Persists in Wisconsin

The push to lift a moratorium on nuclear power plant construction is gaining momentum at the Capitol, but skeptics are still waiting to continue the debate.

Open uranium pits worry residents

Prospectors want to shovel 300 to 500 scoops of dirt out of the Little Missouri National Grasslands in Slope and Billings counties and examine it for uranium.

The same company is talking about building a plant on a railroad siding near Belfield or Bowman to acid treat and burn coal to extract that uranium.

Pope Says Young Inheriting Scarred, Squandered Earth

Pope Benedict on Thursday told a huge gathering of young people that they were inheriting a planet whose resources had been scarred and squandered to fuel insatiable consumption.

PSE&G to loan $105M to N.J. households for solar power

Public Service Electric and Gas Co. is making $105 million in loans available to help residential customers in New Jersey install solar power systems on their homes.

PSE&G's Innovative Solar Loan Program Now Available to Residential Customers

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) today announced that it will begin offering its innovative solar loan program to residential customers tomorrow.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 071718

Report says Idaho can create jobs and increase energy security with renewables

Eighty percent of Idaho's $3.7 billion in energy comes from out-of-state, but leaders can reduce that and create thousands of jobs by promoting renewable energy, a report issued Wednesday said.

Signposts to a Clean-Energy Future

Wind power is the largest emerging clean-energy source on the planet. It is starting to reach significant penetration in an increasing number of markets, representing approximately 20 percent of Denmark's total electricity generation, 10 percent of Spain's, and more than 7 percent of Germany's.

Solar projects hoping for green light

Solar electric projects chilled by legal questions could heat up again soon.

Solar thermal technology heats up

Solar thermal technology that attempts to harness the efficient phase change from water to steam is emerging as the preferred alternative energy technology in the race to replace fossil fuels with sustainable energy sources, experts agree.

Soon, Electric Heat Could Be Cheaper Than Oil

When it comes to winter heating, people who use electricity have traditionally burned the largest holes in their pockets.

Southern California Edison Begins Construction of World's Largest Solar Panel Installation Project

Southern California Edison (SCE) today began installing solar panels at the first of approximately 150 Southern California commercial rooftops that eventually will make up SCE's two square mile solar generation project -- the largest solar panel installation in the world.

Spain; Nuclear Plant Suffers Setback

Officials say a nuclear power plant in Spain has suffered its fourth technical failure in two weeks, raising concern about the country's energy infrastructure.

Spot uranium prices jump $4 in last week to $64pound; analysts

The spot price of uranium jumped by $4 over the last week to at least $64 a pound U3O8, the price reported late Monday by Ux Consulting and a number of analysts believe the market is looking at still more upward pressure.

Sunflower takes fight for coal-fired power plants to court

Because state lawmakers couldn't help, a western Kansas utility has taken its fight to build two new coal-fired power plants to court.

U.S. small wind turbine market grew 14% in 2007

Driven by consumer concerns over climate change and rising electricity prices, the U.S. small wind turbine market grew 14% and deployed 9.7 megawatts (MW) of new power generating capacity in 2007, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said today...

UK and Florida tackling the climate change challenge

"These memoranda are a concrete demonstration of the deepening relationship between the UK and Florida. Governor Crist's work to set tough emission targets has helped make Florida one of the world's leaders in tackling climate change.

UK Government; World first as Government computers go green

The British Government today became the first in the world to announce plans to slash the carbon footprint of its computer systems.

Undersea Volcanic Rocks Offer Vast Repository For Greenhouse Gas

A group of scientists has used deep ocean-floor drilling and experiments to show that volcanic rocks off the West Coast and elsewhere might be used to securely imprison huge amounts of globe-warming carbon dioxide captured from power plants or other sources.

US to Offer Oil Leases in Alaska NPR-A This Fall

The US Bureau of Land Management said on Wednesday it will hold an oil lease sale this autumn for acreage in the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska that the government says could hold 8.4 billion barrels of recoverable crude.

'We are in for a crisis'

Families already struggling to make ends meet with soaring gas, food and utility prices could be facing another crisis this winter.

What's Moving the Oil Markets 071808

•"There is some definite profit taking, with such a fall [from $147 to under $130/b], we can expect...upside movement on a Friday--people do not want to go into the weekend short. It is a classic move," a London-based broker said. "The market is so technically traded, there is always a chance that the market might shift even higher once New York comes in," the broker added.

•While Thursday's downward move was triggered by a handful of factors, including weakness in products on fear of demand deterioration, the WTI option expiry also accelerated the selloff.

Windmill regs face study

An individual property owner could get off the grid and harness the wind power under existing Douglas County zoning regulations.

In like fashion, a commercial firm could build a wind farm. The company would have carte blanche in determining where and how to build it. The public would have very little leverage.

WM now offers CFL, battery recycling to households

In its first direct-to-consumer offering, Waste Management Inc. has launched an online service to recycle universal household waste, including compact fluorescent lamps and batteries.

July 15, 2008

Acidifying oceans pose danger to coral reefs

Like a tooth dipped in a glass of Coca-Cola, coral reefs, lobsters and other marine creatures that build calcified shells around themselves could soon dissolve as climate change turns the oceans increasingly acidic.

Arizona State to launch solar research facility

Arizona State University has hired three prominent scientists to launch a new Solar Power Laboratory aimed at advancing solar energy technology.

Bush Climate Action Now, 'Bogus' - Schwarzenegger

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Sunday the Bush administration did not believe it should do anything about global warming and that any last-minute action before leaving office would be "bogus."

Bush to Lift Offshore Drilling Ban in Symbolic Move

President George W. Bush plans to lift a presidential ban on offshore drilling on Monday to combat soaring energy prices, a largely symbolic move unlikely to have any short-term impact on the high cost of gasoline.

Crude futures lower on US Treasury support for Fannie, Freddie

14Jul2008--Global crude futures were lower in European morning trading Monday, following the announcement by the US Treasury that troubled US mortgage giants Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae would receive emergency credit lines.

Crude futures up slightly as dollar weakens further

Global crude futures were slightly higher in European morning trading Tuesday, not far off record highs amid relatively low trading volumes.

Customers feeling power pinch

Weatherford electric consumers are feeling the pinch caused by ever-increasing costs associated with producing power in the sweltering summer months.

DOE eyes more exploration deals

The Department of Energy expects to award another geothermal and at most five coal exploration contracts in the coming weeks.

Draft EPA Study Links Global Warming to More Smog

US environmental regulators quietly published a draft study on Thursday that linked global warming to higher levels of smog that could harm human health, a report green groups said stood in contrast to the Bush Administration's slow movement on climate change.

Drilling Takes Center Stage

America's energy policy is at the center of the presidential contest. The debate has escalated into a war of words now that President Bush is pushing Congress to pass recently introduced legislation that would lift the ban on offshore drilling.

EPA Says Climate Rules Are the Job of US Congress

US lawmakers said the move means the Bush administration has saddled the next president with the responsibility of rule making. A proposed US climate bill died last month in the Senate.

Foreclosure Filings Drop in June

Foreclosure filings — default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions — were reported on 252,363 U.S. properties during the month, a three percent decrease from the previous month but still a 53% increase from June 2007, according to RealtyTrac's June 2008 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, released last week

G8 ministries to meet by year-end to discuss energy efficiency

"The group is to meet at the deputy-minister level by the end of the year
to prepare proposals on mutual financing of work aimed at raising energy
efficiency and use of existing international financial mechanisms for that
purpose," Yanovsky said.

German CDU wants nuclear life extension, no new builds

Germany's conservative senior ruling coalition party CDU/CSU plans to extend the lifespan of modern nuclear power plants but it does not intend to build new reactors,...

High oil prices destroying European gas demand

High oil prices are destroying gas demand directly or indirectly, leading to consumer outrage in Europe.

India plans massive technical education push

The government is launching a three-year initiative to boost technical education.

Limit Oil Price or Face More Nuclear Power - Italy

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Sunday oil-consuming countries should meet to fix a maximum price they are prepared to pay for oil, warning otherwise they would have to invest heavily in nuclear power.

New discoveries keep exceeding oil output

The chief economist for the Centre for Global Energy Studies (CGES), Leo Drollas, said discoveries are continuing apace, including giant fields such as Kashagan in Kazakhstan, and the Tupi field offshore Brazil

NRC begins special inspection at Vermont Yankee

NRC began a special inspection July 14 at Vermont Yankee, three days after plant operator Entergy Nuclear reported a leak in one of the east cooling tower cells and reduced the reactor's power from full power.

Obama, McCain Offer Very Different Energy Plans

John McCain and Barack Obama are offering voters very different views of America's energy future.

Obama envisions the federal government funding alternative energy development and mandating lower fuel consumption. McCain sees a less direct federal role, relying on government incentives and market forces to boost energy supplies and promote efficiency.

Ontario Sets Plan to Protect Northern Boreal Forest

The government of the Canadian province of Ontario said on Monday it will conserve a huge swath of the province's northern boreal forest to protect polar bears and other wildlife and to help fight climate change.

OPEC cuts 2008 world oil demand forecast 70,000 b/d to 86.81 mb/d

OPEC said Tuesday it expected world oil demand to average 87.71 million b/d in 2009, up 900,000 b/d from its downwardly revised call of 86.81 million b/d for 2008 but representing a decline of 100,000 b/d from estimated growth this year as a slowing economy and high retail fuel costs take their toll.

Pawlenty sizes up energy year; Governors united, but 'no silver bullet'

After leading the nation's governors on a track toward cleaner energy for the past year, Gov. Tim Pawlenty predicted Thursday that the United States will take another five to 10 years to "put a dent in" its dependence on foreign oil. Meeting the nation's energy needs will require massive investment in developing a wide range of new technologies.

Population boom will pressure forests; reports

Booming demand for food, fuel and wood as the world's population surges from six to nine billion will put unprecedented and unsustainable demand on the world's remaining forests, two new reports said on Monday.

Researchers Develop Efficient Solar Power Devices

Using sheets of glass covered with organic dyes, scientists have devised an efficient and practical solar power device that they believe can help make this clean, renewable energy source more affordable.

Solar Farms' Impact to Be Explained

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which recently lifted its moratorium on applications for large solar projects in the Southwest, will host a hearing Tuesday in Tucson on the environmental impacts of solar farms on public lands.

UK Government Lambasted Over Own Carbon Emissions

The British government's record in cutting its own emissions of planet-warming gases was "extremely poor", a cross-party panel of politicians said on Monday.

US Court Rejects EPA Rule on Power Plant Pollution

A federal appeals court Friday rejected the Bush administration's plan to reduce polluting emissions from power plants and help states downwind from the facilities meet federal clear air standards.

US Court Slaps Down Pollution Law

A US appeals court struck down landmark air-pollution regulations on Friday, shocking both environmental and industry groups with a decision that could severely hamper efforts to curb smog and acid rain.

US Fed Board Issues Final Rule Amending Home Mortgage Provisions

The Federal Reserve Board on Monday approved a final rule for home mortgage loans to better protect consumers and facilitate responsible lending. The rule prohibits unfair, abusive or deceptive home mortgage lending practices and restricts certain other mortgage practices. The final rule also establishes advertising standards and requires certain mortgage disclosures to be given to consumers earlier in the transaction.

US Weather Commentary 071508

The Atlantic Basin continues to be immersed in a very conducive atmospheric [MJO] phase that will likely persist for several more days. 

What's Moving the Oil Markets 071408

•Crude futures were range-bound in European morning trading Thursday despite further missile tests by Iran, with the market digesting the mixed set of US oil data published Wednesday.

•Iran's military test-fired more missiles in the Gulf on Thursday, the website of state television reported, on the third day of war games that have added to tensions with the West.

•Wednesday's EIA data failed to sway the markets on close, but did prompt an afternoon selloff despite a bullish start to the day.

What's Moving the Oil Markets 071508

•The weak dollar, which fell to an all-time low against the euro of $1.6038 Tuesday, provided additional support for crude prices, while gold, trading at $980/ounce Tuesday, continued to rise as investors looked for a safe haven.

•"Things are very quiet today despite the move in gold and the move in dollar," one London-based trader said. "The financials appear to be grabbing the headlines at the moment. We're just taking a backseat from the bigger stories."

•Geopolitical concerns, meanwhile, continue to provide support for crude futures despite to some extent already being priced in

Wind Credit Blown Off Course

Congress is playing games. But in doing so it has dropped the ball. The U.S. Senate has failed to advance the production tax credit given to wind power -- all at a time when the nation is trying to wean itself from fossil fuels.

July 11, 2008

$21 billion Alaska energy plan proposed

State lawmakers here for a special session on the natural gas pipeline are quietly considering another blockbuster energy idea -- plowing nearly $21 billion into "renewable" and "alternative" energy projects.

2009 Energy Costs to Increase Almost 10%

Tuesday, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecast that electricity prices will climb an average of 9.8% in 2009. Only a month ago, the agency was forecasting a 3.6% increase for next year.

A Green Solution To Biofuel Production

With the current drive towards production of alternative fuels from plant material, enzymes which can break down this material into useable compounds are required in industrial quantities and at a low cost.

Acidifying Oceans Add Urgency To CO2 Cuts

It's not just about climate change anymore. Besides loading the atmosphere with heat-trapping greenhouse gases, human emissions of carbon dioxide have also begun to alter the chemistry of the ocean—often called the cradle of life on Earth.

Acidifying oceans pose danger to coral reefs

Like a tooth dipped in a glass of Coca-Cola, coral reefs, lobsters and other marine creatures that build calcified shells around themselves could soon dissolve as climate change turns the oceans increasingly acidic.

Alberta to Spend C$4 Billion to Cut GHG Emissions

The oil-rich Canadian province of Alberta said on Tuesday it will put C$4 billion (US$3.92 billion) into two funds that will be used to pay for carbon capture and storage programs and to boost use of public transit to cut the province's carbon-dioxide emissions.

Argentine Glacier Sheds Ice in Rare Winter Breakup

art of Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier collapsed on Wednesday, the first time large chunks of ice have broken off during the southern hemisphere winter.

Australia Activists to Block World's Top Coal Port

Environmentalists plan to block one of two rail lines into the world's biggest coal export port in Australia at the weekend, amid wrangling by rich nations over efforts to combat climate change, they said on Tuesday.

Australia Food-Bowl Drought Worsens, Rains Spare Wheat

The prolonged drought in Australia's Murray-Darling river system is worsening and the country's main food bowl may forever be changed by accelerating climate warming, government officials said on Thursday.

Battling Mercury

Summer is here and the mercury is rising. It's not just the heat. It's also the level of harmful pollutants and specifically mercury.

Big Emerging Nations Demand G8 Greenhouse Gas Cuts

Five big emerging economies on Tuesday staked out tough positions on greenhouse gas emissions and food security, ahead of talks on climate change with rich countries in the Group of Eight.

BLM gets array of input on solar-farms siting

At a hearing in Tucson Tuesday night, some speakers praised the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for proceeding cautiously in siting utility-scale solar farms proposed for 1 million acres of public land nationwide.

China, India Oppose 2050 Emissions Cut Goal

China and India are not ready to sign up to a goal set by the Group of Eight industrial nations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 50 percent by 2050, a French presidential aide said on Wednesday.

Coal Industry Hands Out Pink Slips While Green Collar Jobs Take Off

A transition to renewable energy sources promises significant global job gains at a time when the coal industry has been hemorrhaging jobs for years, according to the latest Vital Signs Update released by the Worldwatch Institute.

Common Wildlife is Alien to Many British Kids

British children's knowledge of wildlife comes a poor second to their ability to identify science fiction creatures such as Star Wars characters, according to a survey.

Deer Creek tries out geothermal energy

With summer weather comes the promise of high temperatures and even higher energy bills, especially in Oklahoma.

For a growing number of schools those bills won't be as foreboding thanks to their use of geothermal heating and air conditioning technology.

ENSO-neutral conditions are expected to continue into Northern Hemisphere Fall 2008

A transition from La Niña to ENSO-neutral conditions occurred during June 2008, as sea surface temperatures (SSTs) returned to near-average across the central and east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean

Family to Measure Wind Farm 'Misery'

The Brock family, who have complained about loud noise and low- frequency sound from Meridian Energy's Te Apiti wind farm since 2004, say Meridian has now sent them a recorder and microphone to use on days the turbines are especially noisy.

French Uranium Leak Was Low Level-Safety Authority

France's nuclear safety authority (ASN) said on Thursday it had provisionally classified a leak of liquid containing uranium on a site in southeastern France earlier this week at level one of the INES nuclear scale.

G8 demands Iran suspend all uranium enrichment activities

The leaders of the Group of Eight industrialized nations on Tuesday called on Iran to comply with the international community's request to suspend all its nuclear enrichment-related activities.

Global CO2 market sees strong growth in first half of 2008; study

The global carbon market has generated almost as much money in the first half of 2008 as it did in all of 2007, consulting firm Point Carbon said on Tuesday.

Global green energy spending jumps 60% in 2007

Last year saw record growth in global renewable energy and energy efficiency investment, according to new figures published by the UN's environment programme (Unep) last week.

Global Warming Will Push Russia to Destruction - WWF

Global warming will sow destruction across Russia and ex-Soviet states, a report said on Tuesday after the world's richest countries issued targets on harmful emissions that environmentalists criticised as too soft.

Gold price bounces sharply upward in New York

The gold market is on a roll once again, with the dollar plunging to near-record low against the euro and crude oil soaring to record highs.

Gov. Rendell Signs Bill Establishing $650 Million Energy Fund to Support Conservation, Spur Renewable Energy Development

At a time when conventional energy prices are at or near record highs, Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed into law a new fund that will save families and small businesses money on their energy bills by supporting investments in energy conservation and efficiency.

Green Jobs; Renewable Energy Employment Expanding

According to the Worldwatch Institute's latest Vital Signs Update, employment in renewable energy is growing substantially, with 2.3 million people worldwide currently working in the renewable energy field.

Inbox 070808

It would be helpful if the world´s wealthiest and most powerful nations could get that straightened out, because the difference is, ahem, significant.

Inbox 071008

The Toronto Star reports today that the province of Ontario will start levying a recycling fee on TVs and computers next year in the first phase of a program that will eventually cover all electronic products.

Indian groups focus on saving languages

In the Lakota language, a single word expresses the awe and connectedness with nature that some feel looking at the northern lights. In Euchee, the language makes no distinction between humans and other animals, though it does differentiate between Euchee people and non-Euchee.

Investors Fund US $10.75 M for Honolulu Seawater Air Conditioning

Conventional air conditioning is a heavy consumer of energy in Honolulu, which relies on imported oil and other fossil fuels for a staggering 90% of its electricity. HSWAC will reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported oil used to generate electricity. It will dramatically reduce operating costs for downtown building owners, with the savings increasing as oil prices climb.

Japan to cut emissions by 60-80% by 2050; Fukuda

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said Wednesday his country would
aim for a 60-80% reduction in its emissions from current levels by 2050 as a
long-term goal.

Massachusetts Enacts New Energy Bill Promoting Renewable Energy

A comprehensive energy policy that includes the development of renewables and energy-efficiency efforts is now a reality in the state of Massachusetts.

Medvedev says oil, gas to continue impacting food, climate

Russia's president Dmitry Medvedev said Wednesday that nuclear energy could be "a serious addition" to fossil fuel after pointing out the potential for its use worldwide to the leaders of the Group of Eight countries.

More nuclear power OK'd; G8 calls it an 'essential instrument' in cutting use of fossil fuels

The Group of Eight leaders gave the green light Tuesday to expanded development of nuclear power, saying it is a vital energy source in the fight against global warming.

New oil package from US House Democrats keeps OCS drilling ban

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Thursday unveiled a new plan she says will bring down record high oil prices without providing oil companies access to more of the Outer Continental Shelf for drilling.

New web site planned to trade US biofuels in eBay fashion

A company that specializes in online casinos announced this week it was taking a gamble on the US biofuels industry by launching a new web site devoted to the buying and selling of ethanol and biodiesel.

Nuclear Sites Cost Warning

The pounds 73 billion cost of decommissioning nuclear power sites could be increased "significantly", the head of an influential committee of MPs has warned.

Nuke plant makers cast eye abroad; With global warming in the spotlight, greenhouse gas emitters turn to atomic power

The voice of Atsutoshi Nishida, president of Toshiba Corp., rose an octave as he talked about the electronic giant's quest to build atomic power plants.

Ocean Wind Power Maps Reveal Possible Wind Energy Sources

Efforts to harness the energy potential of Earth's ocean winds could soon gain an important new tool: global satellite maps from NASA.

One Thing is All but Certain

One thing is all but certain: when the Public Utilities Commission meets this afternoon, it will approve National Grid's request to sharply increase the rates customers pay for electricity and natural gas.

Paint-on solar panels could cut cost, boost efficiency

Paint-on solar panels could boost current energy efficiency by 50 percent while making new solar panel installations virtually invisible by painting organic dyes onto windows.

Paulson's Thoughts on the US Housing Market

The following is a speech by Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr. on U.S. Housing Market before FDIC's Forum on Mortgage Lending to Low and Moderate Income Households in Washington, DC.

Philippine Lawmakers 'Seriously' Studying 4-Day Workweek to Cut Energy Use

Members of the Philippine House of the Representatives on Tuesday proposed to cut government offices' weekly working days to four and to limit operating hours of malls to slash electricity and fuel consumption.

Pickens calls for more wind power to slim U.S.´s oil needs

The Pickens Plan calls for replacing the 22 percent of electricity that natural gas generates with wind power, freeing up natural gas to fuel vehicles. Domestic natural gas reserves are twice that of petroleum and is cheaper and cleaner than gasoline and diesel, Pickens said.

Pickens to push for renewable fuels amid US 'crisis'

Legendary oilman T. Boone Pickens, saying the US' dependence on imported oil has reached the level of a national crisis, Tuesday unveiled a plan he said will cut imports by a third within five to 10 years.

Power plant opponents plan court battle

Opponents of a new coal-fired power plant in Wise County plan to take their fight to the courts after failing to persuade state regulators to block construction of the project.

Practical Tools To Speed Up the Transition Away from Petroleum

It is human nature to resist change when such a change involves anything else but known and desired results. We see evidence of this all around us, even in the U.S. Congress. When it comes to getting off of petroleum-based fuels, Congress has dragged its feet for decades.

Products containing mercury declining, study finds

Mercury use in U.S. products dropped 11 percent from 2001 to 2004, according to a report from the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 071008

Researchers Discover New Pathway For Methane Production In The Oceans

A new pathway for methane production has been uncovered in the oceans, and this has a significant potential impact for the study of greenhouse gas production on our planet.

Solar cell production to benefit chemical, material suppliers, says report

Consumption of chemicals and materials for amorphous silicon solar cell production is expected to reach $240 million in 2008 and $575 million in 2010, according to market research group The Information Network (New Tripoli, PA.).

Solar Industry Gets Jitters as Spain Plans Retreat

A Spanish bonanza of solar power subsidies may hit a serious brake in September as Madrid prepares to curb support, risking squeezed margins for the global industry, say investors and analysts.

Solar Works, Scam Artists Don't

Solar works. Solar products are available for your home or business that will produce electricity, heat water for your household uses and even heat your pool. There is no reason why any reputable company needs to oversell or hype the benefits of solar energy.

Speculation and the Price Of Oil

Some observers think that speculation is the cause of the escalating oil price – an escalation that, as I have pointed out in many lectures and publications (e.g. 2007), is capable of cutting the ground out from under the international macroeconomy.

State joins alternative energy wave

Pennsylvania is launching a multiyear effort to wean itself from dependence on foreign oil with energy legislation signed Wednesday by Gov. Ed Rendell.

Strength of spirit prevails

For most students, getting through classes is usually the hardest part of the big walk toward graduation. But for Corey Bird, 18, the graduation walk itself became one of the biggest obstacles.

Tempers flare at San Luis border blockade

"Abajo la luz!" (Lower electricity rates!)

That slogan appeared on signs and was heard in the streets Wednesday for three hours as 300 people blocked the border at San Luis, Ariz., in protest of summer electricity rates.

Total CEO says investing in Iran a 'political risk'

French major Total believes investing in Iran given the current tense climate is too much of a "political risk," its CEO told the UK's Financial Times, according to a story posted late Wednesday on the paper's web site.

Two-Thirds of Electric Power in the Czech Republic Are Still From Coal

In the Czech Republic, about 62.03% of electric power production is ensured by coal power stations, 30.87% by nuclear power stations, 3.02% by hydro-electric power plants, 0.83% by pumping hydro- electric power plants, 2.11% by steam-gas power stations and gas power stations and 1.15% by other renewable sources.

UK taxpayers might foot bill for decommissioning new reactors

UK taxpayers could end up paying for decommissioning new reactors in the
UK, according to a House of Commons select committee report on the Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority.

Uranium's spot price jumps $1 a pound for second week in a row

Uranium's spot price jumped $1 a pound for the second week in a row and is now at $60/lb, according to TradeTech and Ux Consulting. Both price reporting companies also suggested that the price was continuing to face upward pressure..

US appeals court throws out EPA's regional emissions rule

A US appeals court on Friday threw out an Environmental Protection Agency rule that would have required 28 states and the District of Columbia to limit downwind emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

US House lawmakers offer differing plans to curb speculation

Lawmakers speaking before a US House of Representatives Agricultural Committee hearing Wednesday generally agreed that excessive speculation should be reined in, but each took varying approaches in their ongoing efforts to
bring energy prices down for consumers.

US Senate panel passes $33.3-bil Energy and Water funding bill

The department's FutureGen project to develop carbon capture and storage
technology for coal-fired power plants did not receive any new funding, but
the bill would allow it to use $134 million in funds left over from previous
years,..

Wabanaki Confederacy goes global

The resolution was adopted unanimously. It states that the Council of Chiefs ''accept[s] the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as their governmental foundation in the relationship with Canada and the United States,'' and notes that those governments' refusals to adopt the declaration casts doubts on their future ability to engage in government-to-government relations with the tribes.

July 8, 2008

A Basic Call to Consciousness

The ways of the People of the Longhouse have always been powerfully spiritual in nature, and it is true that the government, the economy, everything that is Hau de no sau nee has deep spiritual roots.

Alternative_State

A state better known for sun and fun is quietly morphing into one of the world's leading incubators of alternative energy.

Australia's Plan for 'Diabolical' Climate Change

Australia, one of the world's top carbon emitters per person, will unveil an emissions trading scheme later this year, which it hopes will help cut the country's carbon footprint.

Biofuel Makers Going Bankrupt

About 12 small to midsize biodiesel and ethanol plants have declared bankruptcy in recent months, as the price corn and soy oil (the two primary feedstocks)push to record highs according to a Reuters report.

Biofuels Blamed for Food Price Crisis - Report

Biofuels have forced global food prices up by 75 percent -- far more than previously estimated -- according to a confidential World Bank report published in a British newspaper on Friday.

Breaking Free from Oil

The U.S. now imports more than 60% of its oil. With oil topping $140 a barrel this week, we are now endangering our economy, national security and health with our addiction to oil.

Building On Pyramids Of Trash As A Solution To The Problem Of Waste

Roelof Schuiling of Geochem Research BV, suggests solidifying waste in a concrete-type material and using the resulting slabs to build pyramids that not only deal with waste disposal but could become tourist traps and major landmarks for our cities.

Coalition Praises General Assembly for Approving Legislation to Use More Renewable Energy in Ocean State

Providence, RI— Just days after the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to approve new legislation to encourage the development of more wind, solar and renewable energy for Rhode Island, Gov. Carcieri has vetoed the legislation.

Construction On Controversial Coal Plant To Officially Begin Monday

Though Dominion Virginia Power officially began construction of a power plant here Monday, those opposed to the project say the $1.8 billion facility remains up in the air.

Debate flares over wind power in Texas

Sure, wind is among the cheapest, cleanest fuels generating the power Texans increasingly demand. But as officials brag about the state's status as the No. 1 wind producer in the country, they're also debating how much is too much.

Electric Cos. Look to Sun-- Law Lets Utilities Build Solar Sites

Electric utilities are poised to get back into the power generation business -- via solar energy.

Electricity is our friend… or is it?

In 2002 the Unites States of America used 97 Quads of energy which is the equivalent of 97,000,000,000,000,000 btu or 2,800,000,000,000,000 kWh. This is an amount of energy almost beyond comprehension. What is worse is that we WASTED 57.9% OR MORE of this energy became waste heat!!!

Experts; Renewable energy crucial for Maine

Former Gov. Angus King is calling it a "catastrophe" and perhaps "the most serious crisis ever to face the state of Maine."

From Solar Energy to Electricity; A Growing BIPV Market With Great Potential

The Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) market is a growing sector in the environmental search for continued energy-saving building materials. Already a segment of the expanding Photovoltaics (PV) market, BIPV is becoming a popular way to use solar energy to generate electricity.

From solar to coal, energy holdings fuel top portfolios

DIRTY OLD COAL is a funny thing: one of mankind's oldest forms of energy, it's a fundamental part of some of the world's most sought-after commodities, and it's as prevalent in North America as oil is in Saudi Arabia.

G8 Nations to Push Nuclear Energy

Group of Eight leaders meeting in Japan will push for more nuclear power generation as a way to curb greenhouse gas emissions, sources said Sunday.

G8 Wrangles Over Climate Change, Aid to Africa

World leaders head into the second day of the annual G8 summit preoccupied by soaring food and oil prices and deeply divided over how to tackle climate change.

G-8 vows to halve emissions by 2050

Leading industrial nations have endorsed halving world emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, edging forward in the battle against global warming but stopping short of tough, nearer-term targets.

Geothermal Electric Plant Planned in N.M.;  Facility Will Power 5,500 Ariz. Homes

A Utah company is planning to build New Mexico's first commercial geothermal electric generation plant on 2,500 acres in Hidalgo County near Lordsburg that will produce enough power for about 5,500 homes.

Governor signs new law putting Florida at the forefront of alternative energy

By signing House Bill 7135, Governor Charlie Crist is making energy a priority for Florida.

The bill is a comprehensive energy and economic development package aimed at encouraging investments in alternative and renewable energy technology and reducing greenhouse gases.

Harnessing the Wind

The Niagara River's steady current is a massive source of electricity.

If things work out, the wind that blows above it could be a similar resource.

Indigenous People Ask G8 for Climate Talk Inclusion

Indigenous communities from around the world urged G8 rich nations on Friday to help them participate in global climate change talks, saying they contributed least to but are most affected by global warming.

Market hits more record highs despite a lack of fresh news

Prices continued their unabated rise, with yet another record high punctuating the short US work week ahead of the July 4 holiday.

By Thursday, front-month WTI crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a key barometer for the global energy markets, settled at a record of $145.29/barrel.

McCain and Obama's green dream

What senators McCain and Obama believe about U.S. energy policy matters - hugely. To fight global warming, the next President will oversee the transition to a new, green economy, which will result in one of the biggest business transformations of the 21st century and potentially one of the largest transfers of wealth since the creation of the income tax.

More Than Half Of Americans Have Broadband Connections

Over half (55%) of all adult Americans now have a high-speed Internet connection at home, according to a new survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Moving heaven and earth

Unity within the community and an expanded sense of responsibility have flowed from the intrusion of a large-scale hog farm into the Yankton Sioux reservation, among their homes and sacred places. Recent prayers and ceremonies have underscored the Ihanktowan Dakotas' commitment to each other and to the larger global community.

Plug-in hybrids gaining ground but still face challenges

Within five years, Sen. Lamar Alexander predicts, tens of thousands of Tennesseans will be driving plug-in hybrid cars, part of a nationwide wave that could cut the country's oil imports by a third.

Power Needed to Bury CO2 a Coal Issue - Experts

A big challenge facing electric utilities seeking to burn coal cleanly is providing enough power to capture and bury the carbon dioxide produced, experts said Friday.

Quote of the Day 070808

"The common feeling is that calling on producers to increase production is very important. However, it is no solution to the problem. There are speculative and many other factors that are involved."
The call on oil producers to increase production cannot solve the issue of high oil prices as there are other factors, including speculation, which affect the oil price behavior, the deputy director of the foreign organizations department with the Russian foreign ministry Alexander Pankin said Tuesday on the sidelines of the Group of Eight summit in Toyako, northern Japan.

Renewable energy is 'green gold rush'

In what is being called a "green gold rush," global investment in renewable energy surged some 60 percent to $148 billion (74 billion pounds) in 2007, a UN agency said on Tuesday.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 070708

Request for Black Mesa Project comment extension rejected

"Peabody's BMP would not only mean the continued devastation environmentally and culturally of the local communities, but also in the current climate crisis we all face globally, this plan would mean a major influx of green house gases to atmosphere," stated Enei Begaye, Black Mesa Water Coalition co-director.

Solar Access Issues

Given the energy crisis, access to the sun’s energy for our buildings is essential for enabling passive and active solar measures: for daylighting, hot water, electricity, and for heating and cooling spaces (building heating loads can be decreased by up to 50% according to the DOE EERE and up to 75% with aggressive measures according to the Whole Building Design Guide.

Solar plant site ban lifted

Two days after Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., promised the government would end its moratorium on applications for solar power sites, the Bureau of Land Management did just that.

Stormwater Management Along our Public Highways

In the realm of stormwater quality, our public highway systems are one of the most difficult aspects of our urban environment to manage. The linear nature of our nationwide highway systems and their intense public use make pollution prevention a challenge for each of our states.

The Clock is Ticking; States Rush to Meet Renewable Portfolio Standard Deadlines

In April of 2008, Ohio became the 26th state to adopt either a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) or similar renewable energy goal. The passage of the Ohio RPS may turn out to be a watershed moment in American energy policy as there are now more states with renewable energy targets than without -- a milestone that is not lost on those championing a national RPS.

US, Russia to continue pressing Iran on enrichment, Bush says

The US and Russia will continue working closely to urge Iran "to give up its desire to enrich uranium," President George W. Bush said July 7 before the start of the G8 summit in Toyako, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

Water For People; Sustainable Water

The list of countries and communities who benefit from water and sanitation development projects continues to grow. In June 2007, Water For People announced it would expand its reach by launching formal programs in Ecuador, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Uganda and the Dominican Republic.

Weather Risks Cloud Promise of Biofuel

The record storms and floods that swept through the Midwest last month struck at the heart of America’s corn region, drowning fields and dashing hopes of a bumper crop.

What's Moving the Oil Markets 070808

•Oil prices on Monday continued to be impacted by the US dollar, with the Dollar Index on ICE rallying to close to a two-week high. "Oil prices dropped sharply Monday, triggered in large by a stronger dollar, which hit a 10-day high against the euro," energy analyst Edward Meir said in an MF Global report.

White House Blocks EPA Emissions Draft

The White House is trying to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from publishing a document that could become the legal roadmap for regulating greenhouse-gas emissions in the U.S., said people close to the matter.

July 4, 2008

HAPPY ENERGY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

A lot of hot air! Cutting energy prices with compressed air

An engineer at Sandia National Laboratories thinks compressed air stored in underground caverns could help cut in half the cost of electricity from generators.

A Small Town's Big Idea

So to save on electric bills, agriculture teacher Jay Clapper suggested building a makeshift windmill and hooking it to nearby power lines.

A solar-powered economy; How solar thermal can replace coal, gas and oil

We all know that concentrating solar thermal technology in California has been delivering 'no fuel' electricity for two decades. Now advanced solar thermal electric options are dropping in price and some companies are introducing thermal storage to match power demand.

Abandoned Farmlands Are Key to Sustainable Bioenergy

Biofuels can be a sustainable part of the world's energy future, especially if bioenergy agriculture is developed on currently abandoned or degraded agricultural lands, report scientists from the Carnegie Institution and Stanford University.

Activists Protest at Australia Power Plant

Protesters chained themselves to a coal conveyor at one of Australia's largest power stations on Thursday in a protest against climate policies ahead of a major report on emissions trading.

Activists urge Japan to curb nuclear lobbying

Antinuclear activists on Tuesday urged the government to stop advocating, both unilaterally and within the Group of Eight meetings, the expansion of nuclear power in Asia as a solution to reducing regional greenhouse gas emissions.

Beetle attack

OVER the past 14 years, a tiny insect no bigger than a grain of rice has laid waste a swathe of British Columbia’s forests so vast that the rust-red wasteland is visible from space. The mountain pine beetle has infested and killed over half the lodgepole pine forest in the centre of the province—an area larger than England.

Beijing Promises No Algae Blooms in Games Waters

Beijing on Thursday pledged that an embarrassing outbreak of algae that has invaded Olympic co-host city Qingdao's sailing venue would not be repeated in any of the capital's bodies of water.

BLM scraps suspension of solar energy development

After only a month, the Bureau of Land Management has lifted a moratorium on solar power development on public lands.

Breaking Free from Oil

The U.S. now imports more than 60% of its oil. With oil topping $140 a barrel this week, we are now endangering our economy, national security and health with our addiction to oil.

Burial alternatives touted; The cost of burying lines across the state could reach $57 billion

The cost of burying all of Oklahoma's electrical lines to protect power from ice storms and wind damage would be about $16,664 per every person in the state and tack on a $260 charge to every monthly utility bill for the next 30 years,..

(ED:  Choose Alternative Energy Solutions.  Pay certain amount as grant for purchase of alternative energy based at home.  No grid necessary!)

Bush urges 'all parties' to resolve Iran issue diplomatically

He responded that while "all options are always on the table," his "first option is to solve this problem diplomatically.... I've made it very clear to all the parties that the first option is to solve the problem diplomatically."

Carbon storage project in the works

Peabody Energy, ConocoPhillips and E.ON U.S. formed the nonprofit foundation and will work with the Kentucky Geological Survey on a project that includes drilling a well to test carbon dioxide storage in the Knox and Mount Simon geological formations at a site in Hancock County.

Carbon-- Tax, Trade, or Deregulate

Something is going to be "done" about global warming, so what should it be? A debate.

Climate Change High on G8 Agenda In Japan

some key facts about climate change negotiations.

Climate Change May Challenge National Security, Classified Report Warns

The National Intelligence Council (NIC) has completed a new classified assessment that explores how climate change could threaten U.S. security in the next 20 years by causing political instability, mass movements of refugees, terrorism, or conflicts over water and other resources in specific countries.

Destruction Of Greenhouse Gases Over Tropical Atlantic

Large amounts of ozone – around 50% more than predicted by the world's state-of-the-art climate models – are being destroyed in the lower atmosphere over the tropical Atlantic Ocean. ...detected the presence of the chemicals bromine and iodine oxide over the ocean for this region. These chemicals, produced by sea spray and emissions from phytoplankton (microscopic plants in the ocean), attack the ozone, breaking it down. As the ozone is destroyed, a chemical is produced that attacks and destroys the greenhouse gas methane

Dominion to build coal-, biomass-fired power plant in Va

Dominion Virginia Power has commenced construction of a 585-megawatt coal-fired power plant that also will burn up to 20 percent biomass to fuel its boilers.

East-West Wrangle Tops EU Climate Meeting Agenda

The European Union's new French presidency expects tough negotiations as it seeks to balance the interests of east and west in an ambitious deal to protect the climate ahead of international talks in December.

Finding a Second Life for Retired Wind Turbines

If recycling is green, and wind turbines provide green energy, then how green would it be to recycle the wind turbines themselves?

For Couple, Windmill a 'Good Idea'

High on a ridge in eastern Newport, a new wind turbine whirls silently on a 100-foot tower in John and Sue Burgess' front yard. It's the latest in alternative technology, imported from France, and its 9-foot blades make the Burgesses feel pretty good about their responsibility to the planet.

Four Utilities Seek N.M. Solar Plant; Giant Facility Could Serve 52,000 Homes

New Mexico's four largest electric utilities on Monday issued a request for proposals for a large-scale solar generating plant that could provide electricity for up to 52,000 homes.

Heat of Battle

Utilities are now in the heat of battle. While they would like to maximize their sales, they must now persuade their customers to save energy. It's a quest that will help defer investments in expensive and contentious infrastructure and in doing so, prevent the release of some harmful emissions.

Japan Lagging Behind in 'New Energy' Investments, U.N. Report Says

Global investments in wind power and other new sources of energy grew 60 percent in 2007 from the previous year to $148 billion but Japan accounts for only around $1.2 billion of the total, less than 1 percent, according to a report prepared for release on Wednesday by the United Nations Environment Program.

Most states have unhealthy smog levels, survey says

Parts of at least 37 states plus the District of Columbia already have experienced unhealthy levels of smog so far this year, according to Clean Air Watch, an environmental advocacy group.

Nigeria seeks US assistance to curb spiraling oil theft in Delta

Nigeria's vice president Goodluck Jonathan has asked for US assistance to curb spiraling crude oil theft in the creeks of the Niger Delta, a statement from his office said Friday.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion and CO2 Sequestration

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) extracts solar energy through a heat engine operating across the temperature difference between warm surface water and cold deep water. In the tropics, surface waters are above 80°F, but at ocean depths of about 1,000 meters, water temperatures are just above freezing everywhere in the ocean. This provides a 45 to 50°F temperature differential that can be used to extract energy from the surface waters.

Oil and the Bad News Principle

Let’s start this short paper by getting the peak oil issue off the table. Peak oil is not about the future – it’s about the past! It’s about the (generally unspoken) strategy formulated many years ago by the most important countries in OPEC, which features a decrease in the production of their invaluable oil (and probably also gas) when they get the opportunity. The present high oil price has given them the opportunity! It’s about more money rather than less

Oil earns Kuwait $24.5 bil April-June

OPEC member Kuwait earned Dinars 6.5 billion in oil revenues April-June this year, over 100% more than projected for the period by the government's budget, the independent al-Shall Economic Consultancy said in its latest report issued Friday.

Penguin Population Plunge Points to Climate Havoc

Penguin populations have plummeted at a key breeding colony in Argentina, mirroring declines in many species of the marine flightless birds due to climate change, pollution and other factors, a study shows.

Progress in Technology Needed for 25% Renewable Energy To Be Affordable

Dramatic progress in renewable energy technology is needed if the United States wants to produce 25 percent of its electricity and motor vehicle fuel from renewable sources by 2025 without significantly increasing consumer costs, according to a study recently released by the RAND Corporation

Quote of the Day 070408

"The limits to future petroleum supplies have more to do with politics than with geology and resource availability. For example, the most promising acreage remaining in the US is located offshore, most of which is off limits to the industry."
Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali Naimi said Thursday

'Red Tide' to Blame for Illnesses in Florida

Several cases of respiratory illness that occurred last year in northeastern Florida were brought on by exposure to a so-called red tide caused by the toxic marine organism, Karenia brevis, health officials conclude in a report released Thursday.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 070308

Solar activity is expected to be very low.  The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled conditions for 04 July due to a recurrent pattern. Quiet levels are expected for 05-06 July.

Siemens New 3.6 MW Direct-drive 'Concept' Wind Turbine

New design could prove a formidable wind technology asset.

Saudi oil minister says plenty of oil left to be found

Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali Naimi said Thursday that as much as 5-7 trillion barrels of conventional and non-conventional oil remained to be found and any constraints on future oil supply were linked more to politics than to geology and the availability of resources.

Solar plant moratorium called off

The government is calling off a recently announced moratorium on applications to build solar plants on public lands.

The Bureau of Land Management made the announcement Wednesday after public opposition to its original decision.

South Asia Adopts Action Plan on Climate Change

Environment ministers from South Asian countries adopted a three-year action plan on Thursday for regional cooperation to combat climate change effects.

The Backroom Biofuel Processors Are Meeting Online On A Professional Exchange

Biodiesel processors are in strong demand now that the price of petrol is going through the roof. (Small) businesses are increasingly beginning to produce their own biofuels and in an effort to breath more life into the new market, the U.S. Biofuels Exchange Inc. (USBE) has launched a biofuels platform. The new platform matches biofuel producers of all sizes with buyers.

The Big Picture, Can You See It?

UtiliPoint has had the opportunity to meet with several of the business leaders from utilities, vendors and outsourcers to ask their opinions on the changing environment in the utility sector and what it means to their organization. When asked the most important need facing the industry, the head of one vendor gave a simple, but astute, answer—"the industry needs people who can see the big picture."

Toyota Struggles to Meet Hybrid, Small Car Demand

The surge in popularity for small cars and fuel-efficient hybrids has left Toyota Motor Corp facing an unusual problem: deepening shortages of popular models such as the Prius hybrid.

US Rep. Inslee Introduces Renewable Energy Pricing Legislation

U.S. Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA) on Wednesday tackled head-on the question of whether Congress can mandate electricity prices with the introduction of legislation that would set "feed-in" tariffs to motivate the development and purchase of more renewable sources of electric power.

US Senate Republicans offer deal to extend energy tax credits

In a letter to Democratic leaders of the Senate and US House of Representatives, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, suggested replacing the proposed offsets with a reduction in the 2009 budget resolution. This would pay for tax credits for developing wind, solar and other renewable energy resources without creating an even greater budget deficit, he said.

Utility bills are going up again

Starting tomorrow, PSNH electric rates for residential customers will jump 5.7 percent. The monthly bill for an average PSNH customer using 500 kilowatt hours of power will go up $4.39, from $77.41 to $81.80.

The increases are a result of higher costs of natural gas, oil and coal, the primary fuels used to produce energy in the region, according to a press release.

Will Renewables Trump Nuclear in Ontario?

In Canada these days, it's almost impossible to talk about renewable energy without talking about nuclear power. ...Now Ontario — considered Canada's most progressive renewable energy market — has become a staging ground for a philosophical war over how to develop the future energy market.

July 1, 2008

2009 too early for US agreement on new emissions pact-- panel

The US is unlikely to agree to make a binding commitment to greenhouse gas reductions under a post-Kyoto Protocol agreement set to be discussed in late 2009, industry and political panelists said on a conference call Friday.

Abandon Bid for Wind Farm, Charity is Told

South Wales--Campaigners have called on green energy bosses finally to admit defeat in their fight to have a wind farm developed on an Amman Valley mountain.

Australian PM says nuclear energy not an option to climate change

"On the question of nuclear, we believe that we have a huge range of energy options available to Australia beyond nuclear with which and through which we can respond to the climate change challenge," he told ABC Radio.

Bad practices plague US royalty oil program

The US government's program to allow oil companies to pay royalties for drilling on federal lands with crude oil rather than cash is plagued with bad business practices and potential favouritism, the US Interior Department's inspector general said.

Betting on Nuclear

Skyrocketing gas prices, looming legislation on carbon dioxide emissions, unprecedented demand for renewable energy-powerful changes portend interesting times for the power business. ...The price of electricity has already seen significant hikes in unregulated markets-jumping by 70 percent in Baltimore.

Blair Urges G8 Pact on 2050 Emissions Halving Goal

Former British prime minister Tony Blair urged the Group of Eight rich nations on Friday to agree to a global goal of halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, despite signs top carbon emitter the United States would not back the target.

Britain opens two oil fields to stabilize markets

Britain granted licenses for two North Sea oil fields, attempting to help stabilize global energy markets by encouraging major oil producers to drill.

CCS could reduce global CO2 emissions by one-third-- consultant

Carbon capture and storage technology has the potential to reduce by one-third the total global emissions of carbon dioxide from stationary sources, according to a report released Tuesday by US-based Boston Consulting Group.

China to Slash Tax on Clean-Burning Fuel DME

China will slash value-added tax (VAT) on dimethyl ether (DME), an alternative fuel used in diesel and petrol engines, to boost the development of alternative energy amid soaring world prices.

Clean power shift is on-- As smokestack falls, its successor is hard at work

Goodbye, coal. Dirty but cheap, for the moment at least.

Hello, natural gas. Cleaner, but suddenly more expensive than anyone imagined.

Cleaning the Transmission Process

Things are adrift in places around the country. In the Northeast, for example, the states all have renewable portfolio standards while they also participate in a regional greenhouse gas initiative, all of which is meant to cleanse the air and cut global warming pollutants. The dilemma there and elsewhere is that the transmission line permitting process is tumultuous and impedes those goals.

Combating the Utility Workforce Perfect Storm

The energy industry could face a perfect storm unless efforts are ramped up to prepare the workforce of the future.

Domenici offers bill to use waste fund to pay for recycling

The top Republican on the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Pete Domenici of New Mexico, introduced a bill Friday that would authorize the federal government to help pay for two spent fuel recycling and storage facilities.

Energy accounts for 70% of German imports from Russia

Energy accounts for 70 % of German imports from Russia, official data showed as Berlin got set to welcome Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on his first European trip since taking office.

Energy Bills Will Rise By Pounds 213 to Meet EU Emissions Targets, Study Warns

London (UK)--Every household in the country will face a 213 rise in their annual energy bills if the UK is to meet European Union emissions targets, according to an Ernst & Young report, which also warns that half of all Britons are not prepared to pay.

EPA test for haz. waste at Ind. flood sites comes out clean

The U.S. EPA has assessed 30 Indiana counties for hazardous materials and releases associated with recent floods. The agency did not discover any significant hazardous debris or chemical releases.

Fuelling Debate on Electric Cars

With the situation in the Middle East being so volatile it's hardly surprising that Israel worries about the future source of petrol for its citizens' cars.

Future momentum for wind power comes from China, USA and Spain

DEWI released the research report on May 26th, according to which, the global wind power companies forecast the development in the field will mainly stem from momentum of America, China and Spain.

G8 May Invest US$10 BlnYear in Technology to Cut CO2

The Group of Eight wealthy nations are looking at investing more than US$10 billion a year to support new technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, including carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), a Japanese daily reported on Sunday.

Futuristic Energy Jobs

It's a critical period in the utility sector. Investment in infrastructure and new technologies has been lagging but is expected to catapult in the coming years.

Govt pushes coal plants

The Philippines is pushing for clean coal technologies such as "bridge fuel" to help avert a power crisis in the near future.

Home under construction is model for green design

A luxury home under construction south of the Santa Fe Opera will serve as a showcase for zero-energy, low-water-use design.

IEA sees little evidence of speculation causing high oil prices

There is little evidence that current high oil prices have been caused by the large inflow of speculative money into futures markets in recent years, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday.

India Focuses on Renewables in New Climate Plan

India unveiled on Monday a national plan to deal with the threat of global warming, focusing on renewable energy for sustainable development while refusing to commit to any emission targets that risk slowing economic growth.

'Man-Made' Water Has Different Chemistry

As population growth, food production and the regional effects of climate change place greater stress on the Earth's natural water supply, “man-made” water — created by removing salt from seawater and brackish groundwater through reverse osmosis desalination — will become an increasingly important resource for millions of humans, ..But the introduction of this life-giving water will bring changes to the environment.

Maryland faces power crisis, former PSC chairman says

Turning on a light or the air conditioner. Cooking dinner or recharging a cell phone battery.

Simple, everyday occurrences. But they could be a problem if there are electrical brownouts or blackouts -- and those blackouts are a real possibility according to Marylanders for Reliable Power.

New to N.C., solar heating system saves more than 90 percent of water heating costs

The installation of their new solar water heating system is set to save the McNallys over 90 percent in water heating bills.

No reprieve in sight as prices hit another record high

Energy prices continued their relentless rise, with benchmark WTI crude oil hitting yet another record high of $140.21/barrel by the end of the week. Front-month Brent also settled at an all-time high, reaching $140.31/b.

Oil company bosses say wrong to blame speculators for high prices

Top international oil company officials said Monday in Madrid that it was wrong to blame speculators for the run-up in oil prices that last Friday took US light crude futures to an unprecedented $142.99/barrel.

Oil, Israel, Iran, America and the high cost of a single war-like remark

One remark by a minor Israeli cabinet officer hinting at a possible US or Israeli attack on Iran has sent oil prices up by a record $ 11/barrel to a record $ 139 per barrel. That should tell us what would happen if the Bush administration were crazy enough to attack Iran, or to let its vassal state of Israel do it.

Peace and Dignity Journey

Participants in the Peace and Dignity Journey took the run to honor sacred sites to the Swinomish reservation in Washington state June 13.

'People will die this winter because they can't stay warm'

The gas and electric bill crunch is largely caused by the dismal economy, experts say, but oil presents a nightmare all its own.

Pima's solar power could double under 4 new project plans

Solar-power generation in Pima County would more than double by the end of the year -- and could more than double again the following year -- if the city of Tucson, the University of Arizona and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base attract bidders for four large solar projects.

Proposed legislation could boost nuke fuel recycling

Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced bipartisan legislation that would promote the establishment of privately owned and operated used nuclear fuel storage and recycling facilities.

Report of Solar-Geophysical Activity 063008

The geomagnetic field was at quiet to unsettled levels. Solar wind speed ranged from 530 to 460 km/s during the forecast period.  The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels for the next three days (01 - 03 July).

Schwarzenegger Says Feeding Oil Addiction No Answer

Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Friday that politicians who suggest that lifting a ban on offshore oil drilling would ease rising fuel prices in the United States were "blowing smoke."

Senators seek summit with White House on energy

Political gridlock is delaying a national response to record oil prices, US Senators Olympia Snowe of Maine and Ben Nelson of Nebraska said Friday, calling on Senate leaders to set up a summit with the Bush administration to develop a consensus on the issue

Shell Oil opens hydrogen fueling station in Los Angeles

The facility will provide refueling services for hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles, producing the hydrogen onsite through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy bought from the Los Angeles City Department of Water & Power.

Signposts to a Clean-Energy Future; Two New Reports Shine a Light on Potential High-Growth Pathways for the U.S

Wind power is the largest emerging clean-energy source on the planet. It is starting to reach significant penetration in an increasing number of markets, representing approximately 20 percent of Denmark’s total electricity generation, 10 percent of Spain’s, and more than 7 percent of Germany’s.

Strawberry ceremony returns to Meherrin Nation after two centuries

More than 50 Meherrin Nation tribal members, dressed in traditional Iroquois regalia from the Snipe and Turtle clans, participated in the first Strawberry ceremony held in more than 200 years in North Carolina.

SunPower Says Solar Homes Market Is Heating Up

SunPower, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of solar cells, solar panels and solar systems, announced that new homes powered with SunPower solar electric power systems are selling more than twice as fast, on average, as new homes without solar.

Texas wind energy grid closer to reality

Texas has moved closer to drawing the final map for transmission lines to carry wind energy to the state's largest cities.

Total says embargo on Iran having impact on market

Total CEO Christophe de Margerie Tuesday said the inability of international oil companies to invest in certain countries like Iran because of embargoes and sanctions was having an impact on the market and leaders adopting such decisions should accept the consequences of their actions.

Toxic Pesticide on Philippine Ferry Halts Search

The Philippines halted a search for hundreds of bodies feared trapped inside a capsized passenger ferry on Friday after authorities learnt that 10 tonnes of pesticide was on board.

Transportation Dept. denies Nev.´s rejection of railroad

The proposed rail line would connect an existing line to the planned nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, in the Nevada desert. The proposed line would allow the DOE to transport spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste for disposal at the proposed geologic repository, and to provide common carrier rail service to communities situated along the proposed line.

U.S. EPA, Mexico, Canada discuss marine life protection

Johnson and the Canadian and Mexican environmental heads discussed endorsing continued tri-national cooperation to protect marine biodiversity in North America through the marine protected areas network.

U.S. Government Delays Solar Projects

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has declared a moratorium on development of new solar power projects on government land in six western states.

UK unveils plans to build 7,000 offshore wind turbines

Up to 7,000 wind turbines could be built off the coast, according to Government plans unveiled. The £ 80 bn proposal would see the equivalent of two turbines going up every day until 2020, making it one of the biggest engineering projects in recent history.

US EIA sees 60% drop in SO2 emissions by 2030, 35% drop in NOx

The US Energy Information Administration expects a 60.6% decrease in sulfur dioxide emissions and a 35% drop in nitrogen oxide emissions by 2030 despite a steady increase in coal production to meet power demand, according to its annual energy outlook for 2008.

US should weigh environmental impact of oil sands extraction in Canada

US regulators should weigh the environmental impact of oil sands extraction in Canada before granting permits for more pipelines that to carry Canadian crude to refineries in the US, a green group said.

'We apologize for having done this'

''We are sorry.''

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivered a powerful and historic apology to 80,000 residential school survivors and sought forgiveness for their suffering and for the damaging impact the schools had on aboriginal culture, heritage and language.

What's Moving the Oil Markets 070108

•Crude futures resumed their uptrend in early European trading Tuesday, as the US dollar softened and despite comments from Saudi Arabia and Iran that oil markets are well supplied, sources said.

•Saudi Arabian king Abdullah was quoted Tuesday as saying that there was ample supply on oil markets but that there were indications oil prices would remain high because they were not governed by supply and demand fundamentals.

Winter Did Not Stop Pine Beetle Spread in Alberta

Cold temperatures did not stop the spread of pine beetles in Alberta this winter, and it may be too late to eliminate the tree-killing insects from the province, officials said Thursday.