Week of 2/17/2012

The Buzz’s EDITOR’S PICKS OF THE WEEK…

Funding for American Centrifuge Plant at Piketon included in proposed budget

Ohio AG reviews petition for statewide vote requiring clean energy bonds

PUCO must handle AEP business rate controversy gingerly, according to attorneys

Another solar manufacturer, Energy Conversion Devices, files for bankruptcy

Greenpeace protesters invade coal-fired power plant in North Carolina

The Buzz’s FEATURE OF THE WEEK...

Obama proposes nixing EV tax credit for consumers in favor of automaker subsidy

Why is U.S. government subsidizing production of $104,000 electric car?

Survey: Electric cars at crossroads, but won’t dent auto market in short term

The Buzz’s CLIMATE-ENERGY POLITICS & RELATED Links…

Eleven states sue the EPA over failure to meet deadline for soot reduction

Clean energy funding mantra continues in President Obama’s budget proposal

EPA cut for third straight year in proposed budget; barely a mention of GHGs

Canadian official says Keystone XL Pipeline may be jump-started after election

Continuing production tax credits for wind turbines splits GOP and conservatives

Sen. Lamar Alexander says no to including wind credits in payroll tax extension

For GOP, Solyndra has become code word for president’s handling of economy

House subcommittee eyes vote for subpoena to force Solyndra testimony

House plans to split energy infrastructure bill into three separate packages

President wants more budget cuts for low-income heating assistance program

The Buzz’s CLIMATE SCIENCE & SCANDAL Links…

President of tiny island nation – and climate change activist – ousted in coup

Wakeup call for climate modelers: What is the impact of microbes on GHGs?

Likelihood of apocalypse greater from disputed climate change or real ‘sun bomb?’

Europe’s deep freeze and warm winter in U.S. not due to climate change

Related: Danube River and famed Venetian canals freeze in bitter cold

Where’s the warming? Sierra Nevada snowfall consistent for past 130 years

The Buzz’s OHIO Links…

Cincinnati City Council considers enacting tough new scrap metal bill

LNG fueling station opens in Seville, Ohio, to serve local truck fleet and public

State regulators warn that closure of FirstEnergy plants could bring higher rates

Related: Speculation is that northern Ohio power rates will soar within three years

AEP revises amount of coal-fired generation it will shed due to new EPA rules

PUCO signals readiness to backtrack on AEP rate increase that slammed businesses

Related: City of Gallipolis braces for 144-percent hike in electricity bill

AEP chief: Plunging natural gas prices an obstacle to new power plant financing

$10-billion investment over next three years by AEP to upgrade generating units

Eastern Ohio starts to feel the economic effects of shale bed oil and gas development

Lake Erie offshore wind hopes diminish with mounting bad news for renewable sector

Number of oil and gas rigs in Ohio expected to triple in next five years

Highland Heights residents again protest city leases for natural gas wells

The Buzz’s NATIONAL Links…

Chesapeake Energy needs cash to meet drilling expenses, plans $12 billion asset sale

Even more U.S. shale formations beckon with potential for oil and natural gas

Valentine’s Day outage: Mylar balloon drifts into lines, knocking out power to 2,200

DOE Secretary Chu: Georgia reactor approval will help spur nuclear power growth

The Buzz’s INTERNATIONAL Links…

Germany used idled coal-fired units and renewable energy to meet peak demand

India and China attack European Union on airline carbon tax; others might join

Related: EU warned that airline carbon charge could jeopardize climate solidarity

Israel and Cyprus pledge cooperation on energy as Turkey threatens offshore drilling

Former UK energy minister and wife charged with ‘perverting course of justice’

The Buzz’s RENEWABLES, ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY, FUELS Links…

Australian rooftop solar panel work found to be unsafe and substandard

University of Tennessee’s solar-powered house on tour around the state

Buzz’s ENERGY EFFICIENCY & CONSERVATION Links …

International tech race underway to make LEDs more affordable and efficient

Wall plug outlets with USB connections solve problem of how to recharge gizmos

Zero-energy homes come with complimentary iPads to monitor power use

The Buzz’s ELECTRIC CARS, HYBRIDS, TRANSPORTATION Links…

Hits and misses in one family’s evaluation of Chevy Volt’s practicality

Tesla’s debut of Model X electric SUV-minivan crossover gets rave reviews

In Chicago area, winter’s cold takes a toll on electric vehicle range

Hertz helps to pioneer wireless battery charging for electric vehicles

Prius V plug-in hybrid model vs. Chevy Volt: Differences in range and price

U.S. Army explores diesel-electric hybrids as next generation battle vehicles

Honda delivers FIT electric models to California for field-testing

The Buzz’s OPINION AND ENERGY POLITICS-REGULATION Links…

President Obama’s energy industry train wreck just keeps piling up on the tracks

In Athens County, Ohio, the future of hydraulic fracturing is far from certain

Greece’s debt crisis and financially profligate renewable energy subsidies

Electric vehicles don’t eliminate negative side effects of vehicular travel

Obama seems to be scoring victory after victory in his war on coal industry

The Buzz’s WEEKLY STINGERS...

Editor’s Note – The following Reuters article is not exactly energy related, but it does bode well for a possible resurgence in U.S. manufacturing. If companies start reversing their globalization efforts and bringing jobs back to these shores, energy providers certainly will benefit.

Major companies admit over-extending supply lines overseas and suffering for it

New study warns offshore and coastal wind turbines could be wiped out by hurricanes

Best path forward on clean coal technology seen as collaboration between U.S., China

Solar trade associations allege ‘sun tax’ levied on per-acre basis not legal

State of Washington approves $100 annual fee on electric cars to offset lost gas taxes

The Buzz’s HALL OF SHAME…

Audit: Taxpayers could lose $3 billion from risky DOE loan packages

Venture capitalists with Obama ties could have influenced flow of energy funds

Study of 34 Chinese cities reveals more particulate matter related to electric cars

The Buzz’s WEIRD, SAD, FUNNY, UPLIFTING AND UNBELIEVABLE Links…

Smoking marijuana and driving nearly doubles odds of vehicle crash

Two anonymous persons among the last still receiving Civil War pensions

Golden-voiced Ted Williams works on Kraft Macaroni & Cheese project

Secretary of Navy under fire for straying from naming convention of ships

Wonder what ‘Linsanity’ is all about? Here’s why he’s worldwide phenomenon

Mystery of the amazing purple squirrel: It might have fallen in a portable toilet