Week of 4/20/2012

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

President Obama’s executive order on fracking seen as somewhat ominous

EPA issues air pollution rules for natural gas hydraulic fracturing

How much domestic oil is there? Obama and Republicans clash on reserve claims

According to latest Gallup poll, public concern about pollution threat at historic low

The Buzz’s FeatureS of the Week…

First Solar, Inc. to lay off 2,000 workers, 30% of worldwide workforce

Three Ohio solar manufacturing companies fail to repay state loans

Related: Executives of solar company that accepted state funds were taking out loans

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

Fears grow that clean energy development could crash as U.S. budget contracts

Anti-nuclear power activists threaten to file lawsuit to stop construction of reactors

New proposed route for Keystone XL pipeline would avoid sensitive regions

More states, industries and associations join to challenge EPA air pollution rules

Sen. Al Franken conducts climate change hearing with sparse GOP attendance

The Buzz’s CLIMATE CHANGE, SCIENCE & SCANDAL Links…

EPA says warm summer and economic expansion caused rise in GHG emissions

Arctic melt could open region to new version of military and economic brinkmanship

Muslim world embracing environmental attitude based on ‘sacredness of nature’

‘Rubbish…’ Yale and George Mason poll linking climate change and extreme weather

All glaciers are not created equal, and those in the Himalayas are actually growing

The Buzz’s OHIO Links…

Another upbeat report about production from Ohio Utica Shale bed wells

Key U.S. House subcommittee approves $100 million for centrifuge project

AEP ‘fairness’ ad pits little girl at lemonade stand against business-suited middle man

Related: AEP Retail Energy invades FirstEnergy territory to offer power discounts

More groups petition PUCO to intervene in pending AEP rate case

Ohio added more wind power on a percentage basis than any other state in 2011

Cambridge businesses and residents hear from companies involved in shale bed boom

FirstEnergy asks PUCO to extend electric security plan through May 31, 2016

Energy companies court watershed district for deal on hydraulic fracturing supply

Beyond Coal urges PUCO to require greater energy efficiency from FirstEnergy

The Buzz’s NATIONAL Links…

Arizona: Arizona OKs APS buyout of 2 New Mexico coal generators

Illinois: State sees beginnings of oil and gas boom due to hydraulic fracturing

Iowa: Iowa Power Fund off to a slow start

Louisiana: Panel approves legislation on oilfield lawsuits

Louisiana: First large-scale natural gas export terminal approved in Louisiana parish

Michigan: DTE, Consumers customers can expect refund

Missouri: Officials to reveal plans for second Missouri nuclear reactor

Nebraska: New 175-mile power line from Nebraska City to Missouri will improve grid

New Jersey: Municipalities want greater share of electric tax revenues

Oregon: Kitzhaber, Wyden have reservations about coal plan

Utah: Energy, real estate interests fuel governor’s campaign

The Buzz’s INTERNATIONAL Links…

India has an increasingly huge appetite for imported coal to power economy

Government report in United Kingdom supports shale bed hydraulic fracturing

Morocco: Arid, hot and stable, North African nation can lead the way in renewables

Mad about Kurdistan deal, Iraq bars Exxon from oil- and gas-licensing auction

Operations at Japanese nuclear plants to be suspended on May 6

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

DOE says installing power generators at flood control dams could hike hydro 15%

Go east, young man! Internet and high-tech companies migrate for lower energy prices

Greenpeace gives cloud computing giants low marks for relying on ‘dirty energy’

Apple says new Oregon data center will be powered by ‘100-percent renewable energy’

Buzz’s ENERGY EFFICIENCY & CONSERVATION Links …

New, contest-winning energy efficient light bulb goes on sale with $60 price tag

‘Driving force’ behind EPA Energy Star for Homes programs wins $50,000 prize

What happens when so-called ‘smart homes’ assume intelligence of a robot?

Not all home energy auditors are created equal, so buyer should beware

Growth seen in devices ‘untethered from the electrical outlet’

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

Everybody wonders: What makes electric cars so doggone expensive? Batteries

Even with gasoline edging $4 per gallon, electric vehicles prove a tough sell

Charging stations in Chicago area outnumber electric vehicles in region

Nissan Leaf road report: 11 months, 36,000 miles and no problems yet

Union of Concerned Scientists claim electric cars can save up to $1,200 per year

Related: But in coal-fueled power states, EVs would not produce emission reductions

Related: Prices for lithium-ion battery packs have declined 30 percent since 2009

Rural Chinese have yin for tiny electric cars because of price tag and affordability

Potato chip giant Frito-Lay pledges fleet shift to natural gas-powered trucks

Related: Hertz Corp. tests compressed natural gas in 10 vehicles at Oklahoma airport

Conservative crash: Rush Limbaugh versus GM CEO Bob Lutz on electric cars

The Buzz’s ENERGY OPINION AND COMMENTARY Links…

Is natural gas truly a bridge to renewable energy, or will it crowd out solar and wind?

‘Planet has become the new proletariat that must be saved,’ says catastrophe prophets

Editor’s Note – If you are interested in philosophy and history, read this translation of a French writer’s take on the ‘delirious’ and ‘strange’ predictions of modern environmentalists and doomsayers.

Aim of Obama’s executive order on fracking could be to consolidate opposition

White House’s pledge to base policy on ‘soundest science’ has proven to be a conceit

One year later, debacle involving Japanese nuclear plant still front-and-center

The Buzz’s weekly stingerS…

Yet another argument for smart meters: Lessening the risk of dog-bitten employees

Clam power: Researchers run motor with electricity produced by mollusks

EPA wants full review of coal export terminal project in Oregon

Man stealing copper from power poles electrocuted; outage affects 3,000 customers

Supreme Court rejects Enron ex-CEO Jeffrey Skilling’s appeal of conviction

The Buzz’s HALL OF SHAME…

Chesapeake CEO McClendon in hot seat over personal loans and fiduciary duty

Related: How to turn a giant energy company into personal ATM

Going green cost rural electric ratepayers in Minnesota $70 million last year

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

Where’s the beef? Six frozen cows may have to be blasted from Colorado cabin

Holographic images of dead celebrities could be the next big entertainment rage

Comedian Jeanne Robertson on senior citizen ‘nekked’ bungee jumping

(Editor’s Note – This lady comedian from North Carolina has entertained at electric cooperative functions and is always hilarious. “Left Brain” is the nickname she bequeathed on her husband.)

National Football League adopts ‘code-of-conduct’ rule for unruly fans

Mammal that croons like a bird shows evidence of syntax: basis of language

Fate of Hostess Twinkies could rest on bankruptcy court decision about union contract

Got a hankering for grasshopper gravy or cockroach casserole? Consult new cookbook