STUFF

Joint venture between U of Dayton Research Inst and PA-based nonprofit won 5-yr, $99M contract for new energy, enviro techs for USAF, other DOD agencies.

Solazyme (SZYM), Mitsui $20M signed multi-yr agreement to jointly develop triglyceride oils for oleochem industry. Also further development of SZYM's high myristic algae oil, other oils.

National Aluminum Comp (India) to start project to capture CO2 using algae.

Climate change 1 of 2 new additions to GAO's biennial "high risk" list.

World Bank Prez instructing staff to develop new approach to climate change. Likely to expand bank's work in carbon markets, end fossil fuel and other subsidies, make cities more resilient to climate change.

FERC rejected utility challenge to Cal cap-and-trade rules.

Anonymous funding of climate change denial groups on rise.

Leading locomotive maker sees LNG as future fuel.

ND Senate blocked measure to curb NG flaring. (Why is there always stupidity? Do people in North Dakota WANT global warming? Warmer winters. Huh. Not a bad idea for North Dakota. But what about the waste?)

Polysilicon suppliers to solar PV industry significantly lowered plant utilization in last 6 months. Avg fell below 70%.

German compromise to slow power price increases caused by clean/ren energy subsidies. Consumer surcharge to fall to 7 cents/Kwh next year, then annual increase up to 2.5% after. Would save est. 1.86B euros in '14.

World oil production up 2.3% since '10. World econ has grown 7.1% same period. Only reason oil prices haven't gone back to record prices is that countries have been undertaking new conservation measures. (In US, car buyers have selected more fuel-efficient vehicles.)

Senators announced legislation to reduce GHG's 80% by '50. An actual solution to climate crisis.

Europe's experience (since '05) shows emissions trading doesn't reduce GHG's, subsidizes worst polluters, locks in fossil fuel econ.

National Snow and Ice Data Center (U Colo Boulder): Greenland's surface melt in '12 was far in excess of any earlier year in satellite record since '79.

Cal Energy Commission approved $17.2M for green transport projects. Program slated to invest ~$90M this FY. $6M to build biodiesel production facility, 1st phase of $32M, 5M gal/y refinery. Waste veg oils, animal fats feedstock. Pipeline transport of fuel, waterless process for near-zero emissions. $2.5M for anaerobic digestion facility to convert 9K tons/y of food, plant waste into biomethane to make CNG for fleet of refuse/recycling collection vehicles. $1.8M to complete demo project of Argonne process to optimize production of biometh, reduce CO2 from anaerobic digestion.

65% of Americans say climate change is "serious problem": NRDC.

DOE announced $1M to analyze, eval potential cost-competitive pathways for production, transport of hydrogen fuel. Goal to achieve $2-4/gal gasoline equiv of H fuel by '20.

Transocean pled guilty to criminal charges in BP GOM '10 "spill". $400M fine. And it's not over. There are states' suits.

Exxon/Rosneft signed another Arctic exploration agreement. 234K sq. mi. in Russia Arctic. Rosneft gets 25% stake in NG play in Alaska North Slope.

Statoil taking market share from Gazprom with new NG pricing strategy. Linking to spot market rather than oil mart.

Oxford Photovoltaics (UK) got 2M Pounds from MTI Partners to advance development of solar PV colored glass. For buildings with color.

Centinela Solar Energy moving ahead with phase 2 of 170Mw farm in S Cal.

Senators intro'd bill to streamline clean/ren energy permits on public lands.

Admin may significantly reduce size, energy output of large-scale wind farm project proposed for S Cal to avoid impacts to golden eagles, endangered condors.

Mandatory cuts at DOE would hubble R&D, delay nuke cleanups.

MN aims to cut exposure to BPA in receipt paper.