STUFF

BP's GOM cleanup stage over unless new oil slicks are proven to be from spill. Now, restoration.

Senate to take up energy, water spending bill today.

Online vote found Chinese support US air pollution standards. Well, sure. Good luck getting them implemented. Apparently no tea party Republicans there.

2 years now since Hillary Clinton promised US assistance in raising $100B to stop climate change. No money even close to appearing. Canada, though, approved $148M fund to help prepare for climate change.

A solar coalition has emerged that opposes steep US duties on Chinese solar panels.

Tres Amigas, planning supercon DC transmission hub to connect all 3 US grids in NM has raised $3M of $15M round of which $1.1M is slated for exec officers, directors and promoters of the project. Projected $600M - $1B cost. Revs projected to be up to $4B a year. Hum. Payback within months and they can't get it going?! Something doesn't sound right. Why doesn't DOE just do it? But it could cost Western grid $200B to upgrade its system to manage all the clean E and new customers. No estimate of costs to Texas' or Eastern grid.

Malaysia's domestic biofuel use expected to reach 500K met tons/month by end of '12.

Euro biodiesel imports expected to jump 21% this year to record 2.42M met tons. 1.4M tons expected from Argentina.

MN officials requested to delay biofuels mandate.

Xcel Energy has shelved plans for large-scale solar devel/$180M transmission line in Colorado's San Luis Valley.

Polysilicon (90% used for solar cells, 10% for computer chips) down 93% to $33/kg from $475 3 years ago. Back to price range it was before start of solar buildout in '03. Top 5 producers have more than doubled production capacity. Next year will produce 28% more than demand unless production is cut back. 20% this year. Polysi ~1/4 the cost of finished solar panel.