STUFF

Last 5 yrs US CO2 emissions from elgen down 450 metric tons: IEA.

2 old Chicago-area coal power plants to shut down in Sept.

2 named tropical storms already and the season starts June 1. Hopefully no harbinger.

Getting new China wind farms connected to grid a major problem. Driving their wind industry into doldrums.

Calif pondering how to spend cap-and-trade billions. The state also lifted limit on # of consumers who can sell power to utilities.

UN chief joined chorus urging no treaty at Rio.

Heartland, short on cash, says climate skeptic conferences might end. Huh.

BLM nearing approval of Cal solar project that will be world's largest.

Senate passed bill approving EV charging stations in Capitol lots. Really. Takes an act of Congress.

Bark beetles contribute to air pollution: study. Jeeze leweeze.

Heavy rains cause oyster deaths in Chesapeake fisheries. What's that? Too much fresh water or the runoff with fertilizer and pesticide?

Copper boom in upper Mich.

GEVO opened 1st plant. Isobutanol. Proprietary yeast, integrated ferm tech (1M gal/y by year end). Patent trial with Butamax though.

US to comply with EU emissions standards for new airliners.

TEPCO underestimated radiation released at Fuku.

Beijing injecting $27B into renewable/clean E and E efficiency efforts.

Putin ordered sale of Rosneftegaz assets. Only in Russia? Well, Obama bought GM and Chrysler and AIG and . . . Whatever.

Lux Research: solar industry should return to double-digit margins by '14. Solar tech winners: 1, epitaxial-silicon. Last nail in amorphous-si coffin. 2, CZTS - Copper Zinc Tin Sulfide. Replaces indium, gallium (expensive rare earths) in CIGS. Solar tech losers: 1, kerfless wafering (ion implantation). 2, quantum dots.

Solar hot water now at 5-yr payback, even faster in good locations. Comps offering no upfront costs, 25% lower hot water bills.

UK cut solar FIT again for small installs. 16 pence/KWh, down from 21. Set to decrease on 3-month basis depending on market. Export tariff to increase from 3.2 pence to 4.5. Govt says this should give ROI of  >6% for most installs. April slash was 43 pence to 21.

Gamesa dumped their CEO. Stock's value fell 89% while in charge. Not a good time to be in charge, A?

China EXIM Bank approved $448M loan for Pakistan's 969MW hydropower dam.

Sandia released new web tool to evaluate energy storage options.

"Co-petition" the new solar manufacturing strategy.

Senate Armed Services Committee defeated admin's proposal to re-program $170M for advanced biofuels development. No buying fuels that cost more than fossil fuels except for testing. $510M last year. Costs/gal down >90% last 2 years. Senate Dems caved. For oil money? Or is it just budget prudence?

Hawaiian El extended contract with REGI for 3-7M gal biodiesel through '15. HECO wants to gen 40% of el from renewables by '30.

MN Coalition for Sustainable Rail plans to develop 1st carbon-neutral higher-speed locomotive.

Siouxland Ethanol had 12th quarter in black. Paid off $46M debt.

GE to invest $245M in Brazil R&D center for biodiesel, advanced biofuels and materials. India to build 13 biofuels info centers.

Everik planning to double production capacity in Asia by '15. Lube and biofuel additive products. 60K ton/y now.

Shell spending $4B  to open Arctic for drilling.

Happy memorial day weekend, pards. Honor a vet.