STUFF

Loss of ice from Greenland glaciers doubled in last 10 yrs. New report finds that rate of increase unlikely to continue. Based on computer model.

In past 10-15 yrs little net change in avg surface temps of Earth despite rising CO2 emissions. (I want to know if sun gets hotter and cooler. Of course there are 22-yr sunspot cycles.)

Severe dryness causing food, water crisis in Marshall Islands, shutdowns in Panama.

A Christian conservative sees slow progress in teaching Republicans about climate.

Study shows ice-free Arctic when CO2 levels were similar to today's.

Hydropower once again attractive energy option for World Bank.

Alberta crude output up 10% last year: regulator.

PJM Interconnection could save customers $6.9B/yr if it more than doubled amount of wind energy (~5.8Gw additional) it currently plans to build: study. At end of '12, ~3.4% of PJM's total powgen capacity from wind. Will expand to 11% next 13 yrs. PJM feeds Del, Ind, KY, MD, Mich, NJ, NC, OH, PA, Tenn, VA, W Va.

Recent research suggests if 10% of world's energy needs filled by biofuels from dedicated crops GHG emission levels would rise. Deforestation to make room for crops eliminates CO2-absorbing forests. Increased release of nitrous oxide from fertilization also would increase GHGs.

PV solar module prices down 80% since '08, 20% in '12 alone. Wind turbine prices down 29% since '08. Lithium-ion batt costs down 40% since '10.

BioAmber (MN) (NYSE: BIOAU) IPO raised $80M at $10/share. Lost $39M in '12, $30M in '11. $2.2M revs in '12, 24% margin. Makes biosuccinic acid at demo plant in France, competes with $35/bl oil.

KiOR (KIOR) (TX) Q1 $31M loss v. $16.8M yoy. $71K revs. Shipped 1st gallons cellulosic diesel in March. Est to ship 3-5M gal this year. 11M gal cap at 1 plant. They have 2.

S Maryland reactor shut down, unexplained problem.

US has spent $8T protecting Hormuz, Persian Gulf since '76. $8 trillion. Original rationale was Soviets were running out of oil and would march to Persian Gulf for it. (Just a little Soviet paranoia? Of course, now it's Iran. Military always needs a bogeyman. But look it all over. $8 trilllion. Only $222B/y over the 36. Only $222B/y for paranoia. And US headed for $17T debt when it was paying down the $5T in '00. I bet we're all frustrated with the way things went.)

Massive boost to Bakken output expected by drilling wells closer together.

TSLA delivered 4,900 EVs in Q1. Had anticipated 400.

Global offshore wind sector forecast to be EUR130B/yr market by '20.

Toshiba Mitsubishi JV said orders for solar inverters jumped near 18x last FY(Mar). 1Gw from 61Mw. Production planned to increase to over 2Gw this year.

Wind World (India) installed 454Mw wind capacity in India last FY. Suzlon 415Mw. ReGen Powertech 273Mw. GE up over 6x to 122Mw. Total wind installs down 47% yoy to 1.7Gw.

HSH Nordbank: Germany PV solar projects no longer feasible for large lenders.

China Resources Power acquired 500Mw wind power. (Hard to sift through the stealth, pards.)

ABO Investment bought 2 French wind farms.

ExIm India got EUR150M loan from EIB for clean/renewable projects.

BNDES lending $149M for Brazil 2nd gen ethanol plant.