STUFF

Jan '00, Case-Shiller index was set at 100. It peaked @ 206 in July '06. Now 139 - spring '03 levels.

Vestas won 80MW Brazil order. CSIQ got 81MW Germany deal.

Senate didn't end tax breaks for big oil. Something about campaign contributions. What's $2B/y anyway between friends.

Once-rare Mississippi flooding now more frequent, more severe.

MD gov to sign waste-to-energy bill.

El rationed in China as coal prices surge.

EIA won't release '07 data on bldg E efficiency because of shoddy contractor methodology instead of previous, albeit expensive, "boots on the ground" method last used in '03.

Britain planning 50% cut in GHGs (from '90 levels) by '25.

Wind v. water power conflict in NW. Bonneville. Salmon.

Denmark prepares to challenge Russia's claim to North Pole. Oil?

BP/Conoco shelved Alaskan pipeline project because of shale boom.

VT created a "climate cabinet".

Persistent drought in China drying up lakes, straining E system (hydropower).

Report that atmos above Japan heated rapidly before the quake.

Osram Sylvania announced 100W equiv LED bulb that uses 14W. Some 60W-equiv bulbs will sell ~$20 by end of year, save over $10/y in power.

Hara - software to monitor E use - raised another $25M. Crowded field, but they were early leaders.

Transphorm announced new transistor yesterday that eliminates 95% of switching loss. 9% gain over previous transistor.

CREE touting their silicon carbide solution for more efficient tronics.

San Diego G&E added 2 more 25-yr PPA's  for 125MW of CPV (concentrated PV solar). Modules to be made in new Soltec factory to be built in San Diego area. 30MW also signed in April and another 150MW CPV project recently signed up.

The US hit Syria with sanctions for abuse of citizens. And what the heck is NATO doing in Libya? Meanwhile, a former Enron official moved from prison to halfway house.

~ 1,830 oil and gas rigs now operating in US. 2 yrs ago we had 876. Oil rigs have overtaken NG rigs for 1st time in 16 yrs.

Solo Power to build $340M thin-film solar panel plant near Portland, OR. State giving them $20M in tax credits and $20M E loan. They also may get $197M DOE loan guarantee.

And so we go onward, hopefully upward.