STUFF

NG vehicles on roads projected to reach 19.9M by '16. I'm thinking that's a global fig. US?

RGGI - 9 US eastern state cap-and-trade program - proposing much tighter limit for CO2 emissions from power plants. '14 cap decline from 165M to 91M (tons of CO2?). Then decline 2.5%/y '15-'20. May implement today.

Researchers have new tech to detect mercury contamination in water. Snap photo with cellphone.

New analysis says unsubsidized wind elgen now cheaper than new coal or NG power plants in Australia.

The Big Idea a nonprofit to bundle regular consumer services to cut costs and send savings to clean energy, enviro orgs.

Proposed new safety guidelines for Japan's nuke industry strict enough to keep reactors shuttered for years for upgrades. Critics say it will cripple biz. Many of proposals would bring Japan in line with US nuke standards.

New Sec of Interior "expert on climate change".

DOE reimbursed 3 New England comps $160M for nuke waste disposal fees. Comps fought the levy in court for 14 yrs.

Scientists found cheap, low-energy way to purify wastewater from oil/NG wells. (I expect more to come about this.)

Study: US may not meet its pledge to cut CO2 17% without more action.

Study: NY Times' new bldg cutting net energy use 24%.

Earthworms contribute to global warming. (I know. The real blame.)

China to release new standards for refiners.

1M so far in Ecuador signed petition to stop oil exploration in Amazon.

NY studying connect between fracking and earthquakes.

Report: US chem exports to grow with low-cost NG supply.

Japan's biggest banks planning 8x increase for solar investments. Expecting up to $19B over next 3 yrs. $2.6B in Japan solar projects in '12.

US asking WTO to rule on India's National Solar Mission local content requirement. Similar to Ontario case.

Duke CEO says US solar projects to eclipse wind this year for 1st time.

Now over 80 advanced biofuels plants in 27 US states.

U of GA researchers discovered connect between 2 diff types of cell wall sugars (glycans) and specific cell wall protein known as arabinogalactan. Previously not known to exist or even speculated. Could redefine basic plant biology. May lead to major improvements in growth, processing of biofuel crops.

Brazil's CTC to sign $40M deal with German comp for equipment for cellulosic ethanol plant. Will use Novozymes and/or Codexis enzymes. Online mid-'14.

Chevron says importing Brazil ethanol only way to comply with Cal's low carbon fuel standard. Also says to forget cellulosic eth and focus on vehicle fuel efficiency.

Petrobras seen producing 29% more eth '13-'14.

Iran's new $40M NG platform sank into Persian Gulf last week. Built by comp owned by Revolutionary Guard, funded by govt.

Analysis shows Britain  more often than not exports its cheap NG to Europe while importing more expensive NG from Qatar for domestic use.

Duquesne Light to change way it buys and sells power starting this summer. Could lower bills $30/mo. To buy power just 1 yr in advance. Longer term contracts include more costs they pass on to customers. 29 competing power suppliers for customers' choice.

Kazakhstan to subsidize wind farm installs by farmers. 50% subsidy up to 5Kw. 400 farms/y. Country plans to increase clean energy to over 1Gw by '20. 13 wind farms for 793Mw, 14 hydropower dams for 170Mw, 4 solar farms for 77Mw.

Senator Murkowski says we should create fund to support "less polluting" energy sources with revenues from oil/NG production.

Panasonic began shipping solar product from new 300Mw/y Malaysia plant. Their total production capacity now 900Mw/y.

Toshiba bought Consert (TX) for $11M. New level of tech to help utilities manage power loads. (Smart meters.)

Ocean Spray cut its shipping emissions 20%. (How, you might ask. I may get to it manana.)

IKEA, Whole Foods ditched plastic bags.