News from August 2005

China orders coal mines closed

China has ordered nearly a third of its thousands of coal mines to halt production and improve safety in the world’s deadliest mining industry, state media said on Wednesday. .. Chinese mines, many unlicensed, often ignore safety regulations to meet an insatiable demand for coal, which the country relies on for 70 percent of its [...]

Oil companies against alternate fuel: PSMA

Chairman Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Ch Zaka Ashraf said on Wednesday the oil companies’ lobby had become active to off-track the initiative to have alternative fuel by producing fuel grade ethanol out of molasses (sugar industry residues). Expressing his concern over the present rise in the international oil prices, he said it would have [...]

Westfield blames oil

Oil prices are knocking consumer spending and will continue to do so, according to Australia’s Westfield, the world’s largest owner of shopping malls. The giant Frank Lowy-controlled group said sales by department stores, supermarkets and discount variety stores at its Australian centres fell in the three months to June 30. The Australian

Belgian inflation rate to top 1991 Gulf War peak

Inflation remains stubbornly high in Belgium and by the end of this year it could reach the highest level since the Gulf War in 1991. Oil prices are again the biggest contributing factor to the high inflation rate. Expatica

Rise in petrol prices ‘will fuel inflationary pressures’

The hike in petrol prices by distribution companies in the UAE is justified but will fuel inflationary pressures, analysts said. They said the increases are better when the economy is booming, but a long-term price policy is needed. Gulf News

Oil And Energy On BBC Radio 5

Heading Out from The Oil Drum and Ben from theWatt.com were on BBC Radio 5 Live Monday night, on the show “Pods and Blogs”. Heading Out was talking about the oil problems caused by Hurricane Katrina and Ben was talking about possible alternatives to oil. The full program is available from the BBC here or [...]

Hurricane raises fears of global energy crisis

Governments have begun to worry that a looming US shortage could affect their economies. Europe could see strong competition for petrol and diesel supplies as US wholesalers compete for limited refinery products. Wholesale petrol prices in Europe rose by 10 per cent overnight. “If the assessment of the damage shows a severe crisis in the [...]

Gasoline Supply Crimped

Gasoline and diesel supplies ran out at some wholesale terminals in Arkansas and Tennessee on Tuesday, while rationing was seen in Ohio and South Carolina, said Dan Gilligan, president of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America. In his seven years with the association, Gilligan said he had never seen supplies run out like this.Houston Chronicle

Katrina’s real name

THE HURRICANE that struck Louisiana yesterday was nicknamed Katrina by the National Weather Service. Its real name is global warming. Smirking Chimp

Bush Considers Address To Nation; Call For Energy Conservation

President Bush is considering an address to the nation asking citizens to conserve energy, a top White House source says. Bush ordered the release of oil from federal petroleum reserves to help refiners affected by Hurricane Katrina. Drudge Report