News from March 2009

Randy Udall: After the bird strike

…What is the link between energy depletion and the financial implosion? Although we disagree with those who claim that peak oil caused the current meltdown (indeed, we aren In hindsight, last summer was a moment of

US govt wants court to rehear oil royalty dispute

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department on Monday asked a federal appeals court to rehear a legal decision over oil royalties between the Interior Department and Anadarko Petroleum Corp (APC.N) which, if allowed to stand, could cost the government billions of dollars in lost royalties from oil companies. Justice, on behalf of the Interior [...]

Mother Nature

While I Consider just two recent articles: The Washington Post reported on Feb. 1, that

Despite $2 gas, U.S. price rise smallest in 5 years

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Even though the U.S. pump price has passed $2 a gallon, motorists still have seen the smallest seasonal increase in gasoline prices in the last five years, but fuel demand will be remain restrained as the economic slowdown continues to take its toll. Pump prices usually climb sharply between February and April [...]

Electrical 'Smart Grid' Not Yet Smart Enough to Block Hackers

President Obama’s plans to accelerate the development of an electrical “smart grid” could leave the nation’s power supply dangerously vulnerable to attacks by computer hackers, security analysts are warning. The “smart grid” is projected to be a nationwide system of automated meters and advanced sensors that integrates new alternative-energy sources with traditional power plants. Once [...]

More Corn Ethanol Could Boost Cellulosic Ethanol

The ethanol industry is taking a beating from the bad economy, with big producers like VeraSun and Valero shuttering factories and filing for bankruptcy. Those left standing are pleading with the feds to increase the amount of ethanol that can be blended with gasoline, arguing it will boost demand, produce thousands of jobs and hasten [...]

Solar panels wait for sunny outlook in Singapore

SINGAPORE (Reuters Life!) – For a country that’s right on the equator, relying on solar energy in Singapore seems like a bright idea. Try and get off the grid, however, and it quickly loses its shine. The tropical city-state’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are similar to Europe, and it imports all its fuel, which [...]

Fusion quest reaches another milestone

After 12 years and billions of dollars spent, the U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday officially certified the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Key missions of the facility, the world’s largest laser operation, are to assess the reliability of the nation’s nuclear stockpile through simulations and to provide a training ground for a [...]

Senate panel debates energy efficiency bills

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee began debate on Tuesday on measures that would strengthen appliance efficiency standards and help U.S. manufacturers use less energy. The proposed legislation would revamp the Energy Department’s program that develops efficiency rules for household appliances by allowing individuals to petition the department to revise [...]

Democrats launch push for climate change bill

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives launched a sweeping effort on Tuesday to control greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time help industries that will struggle to meet the proposed environmental requirements. The draft legislation, which will be considered by the House Energy and Commerce Committee in coming weeks along [...]