Chile, Australia dominating lithium production. New tech can extract lith from brine that geothermal plants inject into ground after the steam is produced. And at lower cost than lowest Chilean production ($1,500/ton). USGS analysts have suggested battery-grade lithium worth $5-6k/ton. Symbol Materials the comp to look at (they also extract manganese and zinc). Itochu (I taught chu) took 20% stake last year.
Chia Obama. On store shelves near you. Kid you not.
China issued white paper before UN climate soiree in S. Africa. Said poorer countries accounted for 57% of emission reductions ( no time period reported). China says they achieved 20% redux in C emissions from '05-'10. Plan to cut 17% more by '15. Measured in per unit of GDP. Also said that despite financial crisis, rich countries should still try to contribute to $100B fund to help poorer countries finance energy efficiency improvements. Well, with a $2T cash stash, I guess they have some opinion to wield.
Examination of Obama's decision to reject tougher smog standards showed how his re-election interests can influence policy. Maybe even Keystone pipe, huh?
Nebraska OK'd new pipeline standards and setting up state review of Keystone pipe.
Brazil fined Chevron $28M for that recent spill. Seems pretty kind to oil industry there.
Novozymes investing $160-200M in enzyme facility in Nebraska, online 2Q12. Expects demand to remain steady despite end of ethanol blending credit at yearend.
Exxon CEO: biofuels need a breakthrough before they will be competitive, and subsidies discourage innovation. Consider who's speaking.
Iowa State U researchers developed method to increase rate of biomass production in algae 50-80%. New genes increase photosynthesis in high CO2 environment (that would be power plant exhaust).
Fed announced 4th round of bank stress tests (considering ~$1.5T exposure to Europe).
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