Week of 1/20/2012

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

President Obama blames GOP as he closes door on Keystone XL pipeline from Canada

Republicans vow to negate Obama decision: ‘This fight is not going to go away’

But wait! TransCanada has plans for an end-around that will not require fed approval

Environmentalists were skeptical that Keystone project would create 250,000 jobs

NRDC threatened legal action if Obama had OK’d controversial pipeline

Canadian minister tells Obama that his country will turn to China as market for oil

The Buzz’s FEATURES OF THE WEEK...

Electric utilities shelving generation projects due to glut of natural gas from shale wells

Related: Plunge in natural gas prices surprised even the energy experts

Related: EIA claims LNG exports from U.S. will cause domestic prices to spike

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

Gina McCarthy says EPA might not finalize CO₂ rules before fall election

Will EPA’s proposed GHG rules go too far and require fuel switching as part of NSPS?

Political ad running in six states connects Obama to the Solyndra debacle

Related: Obama reacts quickly with first campaign ad defending Solyndra decision

White House releases more Solyndra documents as GOP presses investigation

Related: White House aides ‘fretted’ over Solyndra layoff announcement

President Obama proposes moving NOAA into U.S. Department of Interior

FERC asked to reconsider and dismiss wind power complaint against Bonneville

The Buzz’s CLIMATE SCIENCE & SCANDAL Links…

More science teachers report ‘pushback’ on climate change education in schools

Radical climate messages risk alienating audiences and adding to controversy

Climate-energy advocacy writers seek new, more effective communication metaphors

Are journalists over-hyping climate change theory to the detriment of real research?

The Buzz’s OHIO Links…

Ohio’s deep injection of 11-million barrels of waste drilling fluid creates state turmoil

Chesapeake Energy said to be overreaching in Ohio shale bed lease acquisitions

Hydraulic fracturing debate exposes weaknesses in Ohio system of state governance

DOE proposes alternative to keep Piketon uranium enrichment plant on life support

Delaware County Commission opposes route of FirstEnergy transmission line

Seneca County well positioned for growth in green energy, according to official

Duke Energy Ohio fined $500,000 by PUCO for 2010 apartment complex explosion

Biomethane project announced at sanitary landfill near Amsterdam, Ohio

Gov. Kasich will urge state to tax natural gas and oil well drillers

Natural gas marketer sends 17,000 letters to wrong customers in Summit County

The Buzz’s NATIONAL Links…

Nuke plant insurer might not pay the $2.5-billion claim on Crystal River mishap

There’s app for reporting streetlight malfunctions in Georgia, thanks to Sawnee EMC

The Buzz’s INTERNATIONAL Links…

$2.15 billion U.S. is estimated cost of Germany’s exit from nuclear power

Before recent rate cuts, utility bills in UK had risen 90 percent in past six years

China positioned ahead of U.S. to benefit from Brazil’s new undersea oil resources

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

Ohio solar company with millions in government loans idles over half of workers

Danish wind turbine manufacturer slashes jobs at home and in U.S.

States differ on whether to count hydropower as renewable energy or not

California Public Utilities Commission approves PPAs for five large renewable projects

Volcano-superheated water hoped to become new source of electricity generation

USDA provides access to range of clean energy information with new website

Buzz’s ENERGY EFFICIENCY & CONSERVATION Links …

Americans are burning less gasoline: Consumption at lowest level in 12 years

Clayton Homes and TVA enter manufactured housing energy efficiency partnership

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

Chevy Volt didn’t meet California’s tailpipe law, so re-engineering underway

Backbone of America’s first liquefied natural gas highway fueling network unveiled

IBM sets goal of developing electric car battery with 500-mile range per charge

PHEVs will proliferate as the extended-range cars that form bridge to hydrogen

Only one-fourth of Tennessee’s electric car rebate fund has been used in past year

Energy Secretary Chu: Drop in battery costs will help stimulate EV sales

Old but more efficient technology might sound the death knell (again) of electric cars

Aussie drivers see sticker price of $60,000 for Down-under version of the Volt

VW debuts Jetta hybrid model and electric ‘Bugster’ with 100-mile range

Electric-racing series? Firms push for sustainable motor sports competition

Survey: Generation Y consumers have affinity for hybrid and electric vehicles

Fisker Automotive recalls cars (one more time) due to glitch with onboard software

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

Big Labor and U.S. Chamber of Commerce agreed on Keystone XL importance

Obama’s decision on oil sands pipeline amounts to an act of ‘national insanity’

Special interests influenced pipeline decision, not the welfare of all Americans

Even Washington Post’s editorial board slammed White House for pipeline stand

United States appears to be veering toward a new energy crisis because of leadership

Selling a house of cards with electric drive vehicles because there is no energy savings

‘Bad green dream’ puts taxpayers, ratepayers and nation’s energy security at risk

The Buzz’s WEEKLY STINGERS...

Even EPA regulators don’t like strange-sounding and bulky acronyms for air rules

Fact check of Obama’s first re-election ad shows problems with energy claims

President Obama’s Jobs and Competitiveness Council says more pipelines needed

North Dakota oil production in November exceeded OPEC member Ecuador

The Buzz’s HALL OF SHAME…

Congressional Research Service opines it is ‘unlikely’ EPA rules will harm reliability

Twelve federally supported green companies in trouble with $6.5 billion at risk

Related: CBS News reports on government-supported clean energy firms on shaky legs

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

Green yucks: Environmental humor scarce, but not yet an endangered species

Dog injured by electric shock when it sniffs city light pole with wiring problem

Ten reasons why drinKing a beer or two might be good for your health

Deep snow and frigid conditions cause cancellation of Alaskan sled dog race

Chicago is murder-free for 24 hours, the first time since early in 2011

Record-setting blizzard on Japanese island breaks snow-measuring instruments