STUFF

In fall, Greece raised taxes on heating oil 450%. Greeks have turned to burning wood, other highly polluting materials. Govt losing ~$130M on the deal so far. Particulate matter in atmos 3x normal in cities.

Fed court ordered US to pay Sacramento Muni Utility District $34.7M for failing to meet agreement on nuke waste storage.

Study: spring to bring earlier leaf budding times for trees in continental US.

Nissan plans to triple number of EV quick chargers.

Hottest Jan ever in Australia.

Warm Jan in Fla causing early flowering.

Because of low NG prices, a methanol manufacturer moving Chile plant to US.

China accounted for 35% of global onshore wind installs in '12.

US exports of gasoline to Venezuela at record high of 85Kb/d in Nov. Previous record 68K in Sept.

US crude oil imports down 6.8% in Nov from year ago. 8.13Mb/d.

Alaska North Slope production down 7.9% in Jan from year ago. 576.9Kb/d. Less oil every yr since '02.

UK oil production down 28% in 3 months ending Nov.

China's oil demand expected to rise 4.8% this year to 514M metric tons.

China lifted ban on hydropower development on Salween River.

Hess shutting down 70Kb/d NJ refinery late this month.

3 new cellulosic biofuels techs available from Berkeley Lab. Enzymes and lignin development.

Amyris (AMRS) commenced commercial shipments from new Brazil plant. Biofene (renewable famesene) for special chem, fuel aps. Sugarcane feedstock.

Palm oil expansion said not sustainable in Malaysia, Indonesia. Conversion of peat swamps to palm oil cultivation will release potentially unsustainable levels of carbon. Indonesia plans to double cultivation by '30. Malay developer plans to expand 800% by '20, expand ops to Cambodia, Indonesia.

Brazil ethanol production expected to surge this year at expense of sugar production. Govt boosting blend to 25% from 20%.

Pentagon may have spent significant amount of money on Iran oil for Afghan military ops. Violation of US sanctions.

Kinder Morgan Energy bought Copano Energy for $3.9B. Will boost position in N Am shale gas, add 6.9K miles of pipelines to current 46K, add 9 processing plants in TX, OK, WY.

Alliant Energy (LNT) closed on sale of RMT, renewable energy services subsid, to Infrastructure and Energy Alternatives.

Renerco Renewable Energy Concepts got $125M loan from Germany's biggest lender to help fund 3 UK wind farms. Total ~88M Pounds Sterling. (So, a little extra money loaned?) Total cap 45Mw.

NRG Energy (NJ) turned on 66Mw solar farm in LA County. PG&E buying the power. First Solar (FSLR) built, will maintain.

Sharp's operating loss from solar cell manufacturing narrowed in Q3. Japan sales up. $21M loss. "In fight against Chinese makers, we're not cost competitive."