STUFF

Deutsche Bank: Japan's LNG June imports 10.6% over last year. Asian LNG spot price ~$15.50/Mbtu.

US solar product exports up 83% to $5.63B last year on sales to China.

Libya's rebs saying Kadaffy using human shields @ Sirte stronghold. Would we expect anything better?

Japan has new prime minister. Noda. Every year, isn't it? Noda, though, a former finance minister. That should make a difference, huh. What do they owe? For how many years?

People without power from Irene: >6M. 46% in RI, 41% in CT, 36% in MD. One refinery shut down in NJ. 2 nuke plants shut down, 1 in MD, 1 in NJ. Irene pushed NYC's August into wettest month on record w/ 8" for total 19.68". Previous record 16.85" Sept. 1882. Jan, Feb set snowfall records. Extreme wx has cost US $35B this year. TX has set new heat record for August w/ 109F at G. Bush Airport, beating 1909 for August and tying all-time record from Sept '00.

Sinopec to bet on shale gas to offest refining losses. Estimated China has more shale gas than US. Will take them 2-4 years to catch up on the tech. Chinese shale may hold 1,275TCF (12x their NG deposits): EIA. 50% more than US. China now produces no shale gas. Production could reach 700BCF by '20.

Iran crude oil production falling 8-11%/yr. OPEC's #2 exporter.

China has shut down >1k illegal coal mines in crackdown on mine safety. 86 arrested.

DOE to purchase 1M bls ultra-low sulfur diesel in Sept for the Northeast Heating Oil Reserve.

Yearlong drought from Kansas to TX. Driest conditions on record for winter wheat planting.

Saudi oil coming to US through Japan to offset Alaskan production drop for Pacific coast refineries.

Ukraine has as much as 88TCF of shale reserves.

Bahamas most vulnerable to ocean rise. Then Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Pike Research: global EV sales  to reach 5.2M units in '17. 114K in '11.

Happy motoring, pards.