STUFF

Syria oil minister says sanctions have cost them $4B.

China ruled US govt support for 6 clean energy projects violated WTO free-trade rules.

Feds cited BP for repeatedly exceeding emissions limits on refinery flares. BP to spend >$400M to reduce emissions from IN refinery.

BLM intends to regulate methane emissions from coal mines on public land.

FERC approved Iowa to IL clean energy powerline.

Gulf of Mex fish catches down in 1st full commercial season since BP spill.

1/3 of MD's coastal sea grass disappearing.

NRC granted 20-yr extension to Washington reactor.

Goldman Sachs to invest $40B in clean tech projects.

Los Angeles banned plastic bags.

Minority children in US show higher levels of flame retardant in blood.

Sundrop Fuels partnering with ThyssonKrupp Uhde for 50M gal/y "green gasoline" plant in Louisiana. Biomass conversion with NG. Construction start expected late this year. Chesapeake Energy invested $155M in Sundrop last year.

GraalBio (Brazil) to invest $750M in 5 cellulosic ethanol plants in next few years. 1st 21M gal/y plant to use sugarcane bagasse, straw as feedstock. Expected online end of '13. Novozymes to provide enzymes, DSM gen-modified yeasts.

Global advanced biofuels production capacity expected to reach 15M gal/y this year, 250M gal/y capacity under construction. Brazil study shows using just 20% of available ag residues could result in 45B gal/y of ethanol by '30 (83% of its annual gasoline use).

Belgian Export Credit Agency underwrote $330M for the 44M gal/y wheat-based ethanol plant planned in UK.

Ukraine, Russia, Australia, US experiencing droughts with wheat crops.

Report proves large amounts of methane released as arctic ice melts.

New analysis from NRDC says XL pipeline could add $20-40 to a barrel of oil in US. Tar sands crude would divert oil from midwestern refineries, increasing their prices for crude, and would go to TX refineries that are maximizing diesel production for export, reducing gasoline production for US.

Iran tentatively agreed to allow UN's IAEA to launch inspections of nuclear program. Yes, Virginia, there can be good news.