STUFF

US creates ~3K new regs/yr. (And we read them all.)

Fed staying course, market down. Go fig.

China started 1st pilot carbon emissions exchange in Shenzhen. Plans for nationwide rollout. Efforts to apply to some heavy industries could be undermined by econ slowdown. 6 other pilot exchanges to be started this year or next. China total CO2 emissions ~8B tons last year.

European utilities need to spend a combined 1T Euro on power plants, grids, NG storage, other energy infra by end of decade just to maintain current levels of NG, power supply. But utilities' combined net debt up almost 5x to ~$400B over last decade (much on acquisitions before '08 crash).

UN committee ruled Great Barrier Reef will get threatened ecosystem designation next year if Australia doesn't take steps to protect it.

Report: US comps that commit to cutting carbon emissions 3%/yr thru '20 could reap up to total $190B from reduced power bills, increased productivity, innovation.

World Bank study predicts famine, poverty from uncontrolled climate change ... research shows UK facing soggy summers from climate change ... report: climate change threat of century for N Am's migratory birds.

Cal Air Board partnering with China province to share cap-and-trade strategies.

Colo driller agreed to higher fine for spill because "it's appropriate". (Way to go, driller.)

New state fracking bill on books in IL. Colleges preparing for shale development.

Trans Canada leaving out leak detectors for Keystone pipeline. (Really. Think that's going to fly?)

NG flaring increasing in Alberta amid lax regulation.

Rapid growth of solar in Mass has flooded market with special creds used for finance. Driving down prices. Gov trying to siphon off some of excess supply to get market back to equilibrium. State may buy $8-11M worth and hold auction next month.

Qatar Solar Tech plans to acquire 30% stake in Solar World (SRWRF). $47M of shares plus convertible bond for up to 200M Euro total. To help finance restructuring. SRWRF surged yesterday.

Calysta Energy, NatureWorks announced collab to R&D production process for fermenting methane into lactic acid, lactide intermediates, polymers.

Gasrec teaming with Volvo Trucks to increase availability of fuel, promote use of NGV's in UK. Gasrec Europe's largest supplier of Bio-LNG (blend of LNG, liquid biomethane). LBM from organic matter like food waste. Bio-LNG can cut fuel costs, CO2 ~20% v. diesel. Also reduces NOx, soot. Network of fueling stations set for '15 completion.

Brazil, Indonesia targeting collab on biofuels development.

Despite the hype, US NG production flat since Jan '12. I would think from prices. But, decline rates 79-95% after 3 yrs at wells. 65K wells in 31 shale plays surveyed. US crude oil production almost flat since Oct. OH, CO plays haven't panned out. (So, what is the actual truth?)

Mexico Prez inviting foreign oil comps to come play in their fields 70 yrs after oil fields seized by Mex to create Pemex monopoly. 8 yr decline in oil production now.

Iraq loses 70% of its NG from flaring. Some 700MCF/d flared. Releases soot, gases, SO2, acid rain. (Ahem ... Bakken.) But JV formed to be world's largest flaring reduction project. Formed in '08. Still waiting for approval to start. Compressor stations a bottleneck. Some already repaired.

3 largest shipping container operators in world forming alliance. Used to be bitter rivals. (Example to apply to world peace?) To improve fuel efficiency, service, ops. 255 ships.

Rohani wants to make Iran nuke program more transparent. (Godspeed, bro. Note to world: trust but verify - could be smart ruse.)

Pike Research: energy storage to grow exponentially next 9 yrs. Trace revs in '12 to $30B by '22. 5 key elements: grid asset optimization, wind/solar integration, arbitrage, deferral of transmission/distribution capacity additions. And graphene micro supercapacitors. (UCLA.) Can charge smart phone in 1 min for scale compare.

New coal export terminals in Wash to have major econ benefits for state. Could also help region farmers exports.

Dalton GA council voted 4-0 to provide EV charger parking spaces.

Ascent Solar (ASTI) getting $6M from Asian investor. Preferred stock convertible to 7.5M common at 80 cents. ASTI also to issue 3-yr warrants to buy 2.6M common at 90 cents. ASTI to expand line of consumer products (includes solar case for iPhones). ASTI has had no profitable quarter since '06. Pursuing other aps for its thin-film product. (How in hell can a company survive with no profit in 7 years? Answer: keep paying state fees, filing tax returns and putting in money. And keep the faith.)

Dutch maker of equipment that turns waste heat into el, hot water raised $8.7M to expand. 1st sales in Finland, Slovakia, Latvia this year.

Welsh minister: UK stalled on simplifying Wales clean/renewable energy policy. (When do govts simplify anything anymore?)

SM investing $300M in 100Mw Philippine geothermal project. (Lowest cost geothermal project I've seen - by a leap to parity with wind/solar if true.)

CPFL bought 2 Brazil wind farms for $46M.

EDC, Alterra finalized geothermal JV.

Welspun Energy closed finance for 20Mw Maharashtra solar project. (I'm guessing India.)

Sensors on grapevines plus web helping grow finer grapes, conserve water.

Start with what you can measure to improve procurement. (Advice from AT&T, others.)

More efficient modems, routers could save consumers $300M/yr.

Obama at Brandenburg called for "bold action" by every nation to fight climate change. Wants global emissions pact "before it's too late".

EPA audit faults Wash state Hanford oversight. (DOE?)

Study raising questions about producing ethanol from NG.

MIT, Berkeley team to "pick up" energy efficiency policy, tech.

Danish firm pledging $200M to Cape Wind.

Study links autism to particulate (soot from diesel vehicles, power plants) exposure.

Scientists predicting dead zones in Gulf of Mex, Chesapeake. (Isn't that a yearly given?)

TX coastline sees daily oil spills.

LA passed plastic bag ban. (Boy, that will clean up that Pacific gyre lickity split.)

Canada raised offshore spill liability to $1B. (Um, Exxon Valdez, BP GOM. O Canada ... de de de de de...)

Happy trailers, pards.