Week of 4/13/2012

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

Surprising energy facts, and why they are good for the U.S. economy

Related: Prospects are better for energy supply, efficiency and environmental safety

NOAA: March of 2012 sets record as warmest on record in lower 48 states

Federal Reserve says energy costs begin to worry manufacturers and retailers

$3.95 to $4 gasoline prices expected through summer months, according to DOE

The Buzz’s FeatureS of the Week…

Chesapeake Energy sheds derivatives as natural gas hits new record low prices

Drilling boom strains natural gas storage, forces fear of ‘no floor’ in market this fall

2012 presents ‘worst possible natural gas market,’ could be leading to possible abyss

If politics doesn’t interfere, U.S. could become largest exporter of LNG by 2017

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

Government lawyers weigh in on ‘empty shell’ of Beacon Power bankruptcy

New Gallup poll shows support for greenhouse gas emission control

Environmental CEOs push White House not to go soft on air pollution rules for drillers

Environmental groups to sue EPA over delayed regulation of coal combustion waste

Big Oil has deep pockets for lobbying Congress, and API is point of the spear

With coal exports surging, environmentalists turn their attention to shipping terminals

Resurgent American chemical industry worries about energy policies and regulation

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

Retired NASA scientists and astronauts condemn agency’s stand on climate change

Related: Space explorers not convinced climate models prove warming theory

DOE Secretary Chu says global warming evidence continues to mount

Tennessee passes law, allowing teachers to refute popular scientific theory in lessons

Climate scientists and skeptics reaching out to one another might create better dialogue

Global warming prophet Hansen: Skepticism increases despite ‘scientific consensus’

Permafrost melting caused by changes in Earth’s orbit might have led to climate change

The Buzz’s OHIO Links…

Ohio firefighters begin to train for oil- and gas-drilling rig emergencies

Public tours offered for first time in 60 years at gaseous diffusion plant in Piketon

Increasing Ohio’s tax on oil and gas drilling could risk stifling shale production

GM’s Toledo transmission plant goes online with 80,000-sq.-ft. rooftop solar array

North Canton drilling jobs fair lures more than 1,000 for possible Chesapeake positions

State Supreme Court rules Duke Energy can recover $14 million in storm damage costs

PUCO official explains local government-backed aggregation to Wilmington council

Dayton, Findlay and Bowling Green lose out on compressed natural gas fueling stations

Is a nuclear power comeback possible in Ohio and other states? Yes, says energy group

Cleveland city leaders hit reset button on trash-to-energy project, seek new consultant

Ohio woman trying to save money on electric bill slapped with $150 cancellation fee

Sierra Club sues Ohio DNR over documents related to public lands oil and gas drilling

The Buzz’s NATIONAL Links…

FERC has more questions about Duke Energy-Progress Energy merger plans

Fracking fight reveals both facts and fiction in claim of polluted aquifers near wells

From Ohio to Texas and North Dakota to the Gulf, fossil fuel energy boom is spreading

Editor’s Note – Article paints a good overview of the oil and natural gas renaissance underway in the United States.

Nebraska lawmakers vote 44-5 to OK $2 million study for alternate Keystone route

EPRI explores use of aerial drones to assess storm damage on transmission lines

Energy firms hire consultants to search for endangered critters before shale drilling

Seattle electric utility captures images of wildlife on motion-activated cameras

The Buzz’s INTERNATIONAL Links…

Poland hopes shale gas development will cut dependence on Russian imports

Brazil surpasses California as eighth largest economy, thanks to use of energy resources

To combat Pakistan energy crisis, pre-paid meters to be installed in government offices

Related: Conference to discuss energy shortage suffers power outage on first day

Denmark utility to spend $795 million on conversion of fossil fuel plants to wood

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

Global renewable energy investment drops as Europe and U.S. cut support for projects

Arizona renewable project would use 3,000-ft. water towers to generate electricity

Power beaming from orbiting energy factories might be closer than we think

Custom-made ships could reduce cost of erecting offshore wind turbines

New Danish study shows marine life does quite well around offshore wind farms

Buzz’s ENERGY EFFICIENCY & CONSERVATION Links …

States eye ways to help consumers afford energy efficiency improvements

Energy efficiency lesson for homeowners: Replace your windows as last project

Smart energy home in Cleveland sells to Maryland couple for $331,000

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

Hybrid loyalty: Survey reveals two-thirds of hybrid car owners don’t buy another

Cincinnati area firm specializes in converting fleet trucks to electric power

EV cross-country trek aims to clock 3,000 miles without a gas station pit stop

Why ‘open source’ approach is not right way to go with electric car development

California’s settlement-based electric car charging scheme raises more hackles

Lithium battery explodes at GM research center, sending employee to hospital

Fully electric racecar will challenge famous Pike’s Peak course record in July

Introducing Renault’s ‘Twizy:’ Urban two-seat electric vehicle with rental batteries

Related: Twizy driver in video says, ‘The whole thing seems very bizarre…’

Video: Not content with electric hum, Audi revs up its EV with synthetic sound

The Buzz’s ENERGY OPINION AND COMMENTARY Links…

All-of-the-above energy policy is really ‘very-few-of-the-above’ politics

White House takes credit for energy production, while working hard to undermine it

Three views on whether EPA, markets or climate zealots are killing coal-fired power

Squeezing coal-fired plants between pincers of carbon rules and New Source Review

The Buzz’s weekly stingerS…

Nations bragging about reduction in carbon emissions probably are ‘cheating’

Conservationists’ land gift to federal government yields environmental dissension

Editor’s Note – This article is highly recommended. It shows how smaller conservation organizations have split from “Gang Green” over involvement in huge southwestern solar energy projects.

Green activist movie stars have ‘no practical sense’ about energy issues, says Trump

Editor’s Note – Second item discussed by Donald Trump in this video from “Fox and Friends.”

The Buzz’s HALL OF SHAME…

AT&T and Verizon want ‘universal service’ obligation in rural areas to go away

Why lack of faith in government? Ask GSA about stolen iPods and $823,000 meeting

What’s the real story behind Watergate Exxon and its famous expensive gasoline?

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

Eggs of world’s most endangered ducks hatch, bringing total population to 60

Only two ways to stop this $350 alarm clock: Get out of bed or smash it to pieces

Fried chicken to crow about, and this plucky restaurant rooster does every day

You can’t fight city hall if you are the mayor and owner of the town, too

Rental house that came with its own (alleged) ghost is basis for lawsuit

Look out! Erstwhile bank robber was armed and unsanitary with his toilet plunger

Call the ‘Swamp People,’ angry alligators are assaulting guests at Louisiana motel