STUFF

Chevron said a mistake of calculating oil pressure caused the oil spill off Brazil coast. "Deposit pressure underestimated". Isn't that what happened in the GOM with BP? Well, besides faulty, hurried construction. Chevron leak fully contained, but slick reached 882 bls reportedly. On migratory route for whales, dolphins. Slick moving away from shore. Well, Rio won't be slicked. Greenpeace says satellite pics show "spill 10x bigger than stated." What's new.

Chinese solar makers preparing to shift production process steps to S. Korea, Taiwan and US in response to the trade case against them, and working on a way to retaliate against US exports to China, notably polysilicon. Dump this.

Office of Science and Tech Policy got $4.5M in recent $1T govt financing bill that Congress passed when, last week? But that's down >30% from last year's budget. (A White House Office).

France plans safety upgrades for its 58 nuke reactors.

Both US and China will install over 1GW of solar this year. Unfortunately, 1GW is only 1 large coal power plant. But it's better than last year.

Maui EV Alliance launched this month with help of $300K from DOE.

1st-ever successful cyber attack on a US utility claimed by a rural IL utility that had a burned-out water pump from an alleged hack job.

FSLR, by the by, has lost >$10B in valuation in recent months. Not alone in that achievement, but that is a lot of money. Buy-out candidate?

Judge approved BCON's bankruptcy plan to sell its primary working asset - 20MW energy storage flywheel - to try to pay back $43M fed loan.

World Meteorological Organization: GHG's hit record level in '10. CO2 now 389 PPM (parts per million), up from 280 in 1750. Yep, 1750. The year. Who measured CO2 PPM in 1750? There's a who wants be a millionaire question huh? UN climate conference opens up next week in S. Africa. 450 PPM is the point of no return they say. But 350 the first danger point already behind us. '10 was 23 PPM higher than '09. Avg. increase in '90's was 1.5/yr. Since 1750, CO2 concentration up 39%, NOX up 20%, Methane up 158%. Fossil fuel burning, loss of forests, use of fertilizer the main culprits.

Exxon, Shell and partners have spent $39B last 11 years developing Kashagan oil field in the Caspian. 8 years behind sked. 1st oil to be exported soon. Enough oil to keep world supplied for 6 months.

Explosion last week at Iranian military base killed the Revolutionary Guard general in charge of Iran's ballistic missile program. And today we see Iran and Hezbollah rounded up 2 rings of CIA spies in Lebonon. And US and allies to unveil new sanctions against Iran.

Baghdad threatening to enforce blacklisting policy against foreign comps that sign oil contracts with regional govt in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Libya's oil production up to 700kb/d, the end-of-year goal.

World Bank approved $297M loan to Morocco to help finance a solar power project.

Oil tanker comps may demolish most ships since '03 to lift charter rates from their lowest in at least 14 years.

Iraqi cabinet approved deal valued at as much as $17.2B for Shell to capure/process gas from 3 giant fields in south.

IEA says Japan would have to spend $3B/mo on additional oil, LNG in '12 if nuke power falls to zero.

Ministers of world's leading gas exporters (control of >70% of resources) preparing 1st summit to restore price link to oil.

DOE lab developed method of intro of corn gene into switchgrass that could boost yield.

Nigeria to add 3 ethanol projects.

Foreign banks doubled deposits at US fed. Today?

US billionaires avoid reporting cash to IRS. G, that's a surprise.