Week of 5/18

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

PJM approves $2 billion in transmission system improvements as retirements loom

Chesapeake Energy fund gap could reach $10 billon; asset sales might be delayed

Related: Breathing room for Chesapeake after $4-billion loan from Goldman Sachs

T. Boone Pickens bails on Chesapeake, selling almost one-half million shares

North Dakota grabs second spot in U.S. for oil production; Alaska sinks to third

The Buzz’s FEATURES OF THE WEEK...

Political relationships alleged between DOE and solar companies seeking funds

Issa says committee may recall Energy Secretary Chu in light of whistleblower info

Obama cabinet members, Bryson and Chu, could be called to testify on loans

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

After being slammed for ignoring clean coal in energy policy, Obama tweaks website

White House reverses on future of coal after pressure from fossil fuel industry

UMWA position on White House coal policy could hurt Obama in several swing states

Coal miners gather to protest White House stance at VP Biden appearance in Ohio

Joe Biden in 2008: Coal more likely to kill than terrorists or high-fructose corn syrup

Sen. Ron Wyden pledges ‘top-to-bottom’ review of renewable energy incentives

Palm oil trade groups from Indonesia and Malaysia go to war against EPA

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

Aerosol soot and ozone might be the drivers of climate change, not CO₂

Penguin costumes, heckling, ejections and ‘lies’ at Aussie climate road show

Climate skeptic at Ohio University says warming is myth to support green energy

Lugar’s primary defeat and Hansen’s doom prophecies further demonstrate polarization

Argument develops over resources devoted to climate change rather than weather

Flight of United Kingdom’s climate ‘fix’ balloon (think geo-engineering) postponed

The Buzz’s OHIO Links…

Buckeye State’s Jed Clampett Bill: Senate approves new fracking regulations

AEP-Ohio adds more electric vehicles to corporate fleet

Chesapeake Energy’s cash woes put brakes on eastern Ohio’s drilling boom

Piketon and Paducah uranium enrichment plants have friends in high places

Related: USEC in danger of losing its listing on New York Stock Exchange

Electricity competition in Ohio is tripping columnist’s irritation circuit breaker

Natural gas electricity generation up 153% from 2011 in first two months this year

Waste Management launches 4.2 MW landfill gas generation plant in New Springfield

Truck crashes up in Carroll County, officials wonder about connection to drilling traffic

Related: With shale drilling comes increased roadway risk for oil and gas workers

Energy company invites public to help name eight falcon chicks born at power plants

New wind project files with Ohio Power Siting Board, could be 56 turbines or more

Ohio taxpayers on the hook for loans awarded to ailing solar manufacturing company

The Buzz’s NATIONAL Links…

Arizona: Utility regulators OK APS rate settlement

California: Sacramento gathering urges state to allow more solar projects

Colorado: Billboards about energy independence compare Obama to Ahmadinejad

Delaware: State energy-efficiency programs shared with private foundation

Indiana: Purdue is switching to natural gas for power plant

Louisiana: Oil and gas drilling production in Gulf of Mexico still low

Maryland: Solar power growing in Mid-Atlantic Region

Massachusetts: Wal-Mart to install solar panels on roofs of Bay State stores

New Hampshire: Ending Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative would hurt poor residents

New Jersey: Energy tax collections face $121-million shortfall, adding to budget woes

North Carolina: Hydraulic fracturing bill advances in legislature

Oregon: Spike in gasoline prices tied to issues with West Coast refineries

Texas: Coal permit won’t stand up in court

Utah: State’s 10-year energy plan relies on conventional fuels

Vermont: Governor signs bill banning hydraulic fracturing

Virginia: Dominion Virginia Power cancels Halifax solar test project

Wisconsin: Regulators approve western power line

The Buzz’s INTERNATIONAL Links…

German chancellor fires enviro-minister after election loss in North Rhine-Westphalia

Without nuclear generation, Germany might be forced to burn more coal

Japanese government calls for power conservation amid fear of generation shortages

U.S. to levy hefty tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels in retaliation for ‘dumping’

In United Kingdom, cost of energy has risen seven times faster than household income

Mud pumped into North Sea well to halt natural gas leak that started in March

Denmark and Norway in friendly rivalry over use of energy resources

Even South Africa eyes potential of domestic shale bed development

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

Mexico eyes largest growth of wind power capacity ‘anywhere in the world’

Experiments with viruses yield electricity generation from mechanical force

Moon dust magic: Could Helium-3 be the energy silver bullet of the future?

Solar thermal technology might help offset huge CCS power demand

Buzz’s ENERGY EFFICIENCY & CONSERVATION Links …

From air leak detectors to energy monitors, gadgets can help homeowners save

Efficiency standards rise for clothes washers and dishwashers

Light bulb battle pits Tea Party against manufacturers

Telecom industry to shift more capital to energy efficiency

Oracle chairman makes $50-million gift to study energy efficiency

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

It’s ‘one-and-done’ for third of hybrid car owners, according to automotive survey

More trouble for Fisker Karma: Garage fire in Texas linked to $103,000 electric car

When government gets involved in auto design and manufacturing, ill winds blow

Marketing electric cars as environmental or societal ‘medicine’ is bound to fail

Pity poor drivers trying to figure out Virginia HOV lane eligibility for hybrids, PHEVs

Tesla Motors claims it will start repaying government loans in December

Battery maker A123 questions wisdom of relying on ‘quick-charging’ of electric cars

Honda introduces ‘personal mobility device,’ looks like bike saddle on vacuum cleaner

‘Blue Hornet,’ wind-powered Chinese electric car, relies on turbine to recharge battery

Two OSU students develop solar-powered car chargers

Electric cars join Oklahoma City police fleet

Hawaii Leads United States in electric car purchases

New York City advocates for electric cars, but residents not getting message

The Buzz’s ENERGY OPINION AND COMMENTARY Links…

Lessons about wind energy and taxpayer subsidies

When old conservative fossil fuel folks die off, clean energy wonks finally will reign

Editor’s Note – This columnist’s essay about the clean energy culture war raised the ire of many. Be sure to read the comments.

If clean energy development can’t be maintained without subsidies, is it time to stop?

The Buzz’s WEEKLY STINGERS...

Greenpeace attacks efforts by governments to fund CCS technology development

California’s new cap-and-trade system will raise consumer cost for power and gas

The Buzz’s HALL OF SHAME…

Time for your weekly ‘Did you know…’ that milk and chicken cause climate change

Environmental groups shut down power plants but could get coal export terminals

Public face of one of the largest bankruptcies in history has been advising EPA

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

Australian broadcasting airs series of rare interviews with Neil Armstrong

Energy trivia: All the lightning bolts in world would power only 8% of U.S. households

Lightning eye candy: Photos capture beauty, wonder of Mother Nature’s sky fireworks

Obituary burglars are nabbed ‘dead to rights’ by sheriff’s department sleuths

Related: Jewel-swallowing thief should remember that crime never pays… in the end