UN for cuts in fossil fuel subsidies Aug 28, 2008
7 per cent of global GDP is spent to support the price of energy annually, and most of these funds, diverted from national funds to help the poor, are used to lower the real prices of fuel, coal, gas and electricity generated by fossil fuels. Eliminating these price support systems could slash emissions by up to 6 per cent a year while providing a 0. (India Times)
TVA approves largest rate hike in 34 years Aug 28, 2008
They have also had to deal with the rising cost of coal which still supplied approximately 60% of TVA s generation mix ... Barnes said the cost of coal had increased 200% since January and the drought in East Tennessee is really bad. (Camden Chronicle, TN)
UDRI to partner with Air Force on alternative fuel research facility Aug 28, 2008
The is teaming with the to construct and operate the country's first federal research facility designed to create jet fuel from coal and biomass, UDRI announced Tuesday. Construction for the new project, called the Alternative Aerospace Fuels Research Facility, will be begin at Wright-Patt in the next two years. (Dayton Business Journal, OH)
Daily Briefing Aug 28, 2008
Albany, N.Y. - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says Xcel Energy Inc. has agreed to disclose risks to investors from its stake in coal-burning power plants and any related liability from global warming, lawsuits and new regulations or laws. Cuomo says coal plants can significantly contribute to climate change and investors have the right to know all the associated risks. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
Homeowners Warming Up to Solar Water Heating Aug 28, 2008
According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, all the energy stored in the earth's reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas is matched by energy from just 20 days of sunshine. The use of wind power to generate electricity is only at about one percent of capacity world-wide so the future for utilization of renewable energy, including not only solar and wind, but tidal and other water power is encouraging. (Canton Daily Ledger, IL)
Even "Green" Energy Needs Lower Oil Price Aug 28, 2008
Britain has suggested for possible inclusion in the target technologies which trap carbon emissions from coal plants, called carbon capture and storage ... Other sources of electricity besides renewables, including gas, coal and nuclear, also get subsidies, environmentalists point out. (Planet Ark, United States)
Higher coal prices lift Macarthur Aug 28, 2008
3% rise in full-year profit, helped by higher coal prices ... 54 million from a year ago, owing to higher-than-expected coal shipments and a $28 million gain from an asset disposal. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Qld Gas boosted by BG proceeds Aug 28, 2008
Coal seam gas producer Queensland Gas Co (QGC) has improved its annual earnings and says its outlook for the current year is strong. Net profit for year ended June 30 was $244. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Global tide is turning against this island of prosperity Aug 28, 2008
Contract prices that are set once a year, including coal and iron ore, jumped again in the June half, with iron ore contract prices rising by 85 per cent on average, and coking coal prices leaping by 215 per cent.. That will flow into corporate and national earnings in the new financial year, but freely traded commodities are now well below their peak. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Origin powers on Aug 28, 2008
50 cash-per-share offer, saying it undervalues the company and its coal seam gas assets ... Focus on coal seam gas ... The increase in output was underpinned by higher coal seam gas production and the start-up of the Otway project in Victoria. (Sydney Morning Herald)
TVA asks NRC to renew build permits for 2 reactors Aug 28, 2008
The Tennessee Valley Authority, faced with growing electricity demand and rising coal costs, asked regulators Wednesday to renew construction permits for two unfinished nuclear reactors it virtually abandoned 20 years ago ... TVA gets about 60 percent of its power from coal-fired power plants ... Last week, TVA adopted a 20 percent rate increase the largest in 34 years due mainly to rising coal and natural gas prices. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Origin Energy, BG Takeover Target, Predicts Slower Full-Year Profit Growth Aug 28, 2008
Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- , Australia's biggest producer of gas from coal seams, forecast slower profit growth in the coming year as it fights a A$13 ... Managing Director has urged shareholders to reject BG's offer, saying they will benefit more from a planned Queensland coal-seam gas partnership ... The forecast won't affect whether Origin manages to fend off BG because that hinges on the value of the proposed coal-seam gas venture, he said. (Bloomberg -- Australia & New Zealand)
Alabama Power wants double-digit rate increase that would take effect Oct. 9 Aug 28, 2008
Alabama Power wants to raise its energy cost recovery rate to pay for the higher costs of coal and natural gas that it burns at its power plants, said utility spokesman Michael Sznajderman ... After that, the commission, which regulates Alabama Power and other utilities, likely would set a new rate based in part on prevailing costs of coal and other fuel, Sznajderman said ... 3 million less from customers than it will have spent on coal and other fuel. (AL.com)
Talking cars: More power Aug 28, 2008
The steam could be produced by gasoline or coal. A friend told me that most of the energy in the internal combustion gasoline engine is wasted. (Pembroke Mariner, MA)
Scrapping fuel subsidies can help climate Aug 27, 2008
Subsidies on oil, gas or coal are meant to help the poor by lowering the price of energy but the report, issued on the sidelines of a 160-nation UN climate meeting in Ghana, said they often backfired by mainly benefiting wealthier people. The study estimated that energy subsidies, almost all for fossil fuels, totaled about $300 billion a year or 0. (India Times, India)
Pelosi to protesters: 'Can we drill your brains?'... Aug 27, 2008
The Crypt: Pelosi to protesters: "Can we drill your brains?" - Politico. " Receive Daily Updates August 26, 2008 Categories: Pelosi to protesters: "Can we drill your brains. (The Drudge Report)
Hydrogen-Producing Bacteria Provide Clean Energy Aug 27, 2008
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas are nonrenewable energy sources implicated in global warming. The invention holds promise as a source of hydrogen for use in fuel cell technology. (Science Daily)
Homeland Energy US Acquisition Conference Call to Be Held Thursday August 28, 2008 Aug 27, 2008
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 27, 2008) - Homeland Energy Group Ltd. (TSX: - ; 'Homeland' or the 'Company') announces that it will hold a conference call to discuss the details of the recent acquisition of a US Central Appalachian coal producer and associated coal marketing company (see Homeland press releases dated August 27, 2008) ... Homeland Energy Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Coates, and Chief Operating Officer, Mike Nell, will offer details on Homeland's acquisition of coal... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Energy Policy: Speaker Pelosi's Unnatural Gaffe Aug 27, 2008
But it's still a fossil fuel formed deep within the earth, like its coal and petroleum cousins, by extreme pressure and heat. Speaker Pelosi, who has taken a lot of heat and pressure herself for leading this "drill nothing" Congress, talked on Sunday's "Meet The Press" about an energy policy as incoherent as that of her party's presidential candidate, Barack Obama. (Investors Business Daily)
China Faces Obstacles In Nuclear Energy Aug 27, 2008
Until now, the country has relied on coal for 70% to 80% of its energy needs, thanks to an abundance of the resource. It has also been importing more oil each year to meet growing domestic consumption. (Forbes -- Business)
Trauner outlines energy plan Aug 27, 2008
He said the government shouldn't dictate which energy sources should be pursued, but should encourage a range of technologies including cleaner coal, solar power, biofuels, hydrogen and "sources yet unknown.". Trauner said he hasn't heard much about the energy proposals of his Republican opponent, former State Treasurer Cynthia Lummis, except that "she wants to drill and drill.". (Rapid City Journal, SD)
Van Papendorp: Equities bounce after rates peak Aug 27, 2008
" And he predicts that the problems will be resolved in "the next quarter or two". BUSINESS SERVICES MOBILE SERVICES Get Business Headlines ators on your phone - dial *120*IOL*5# (SA only) Related Articles Home News Markets Technology News Company News International No one at Adcock Ingram has said outright that it would probably have achieved a lot more had it been on its own, rather than housed in the stable of giant consumables group Tiger Brands.[] Gold Reef's aborted effort to secure a... (Business Report, South Africa)
Eskom crisis delivers some powerful lessons Aug 27, 2008
Mokoena said that before 2007/08, there was lack of awareness in the country about dwindling coal stocks ... Umbani Power Company is looking to generate up to 540 megawatts of electricity near Richards Bay by burning discarded coal, biomass and other fuel sources. (Business Report, South Africa)
Waste matter can generate 540MW near Richards Bay Aug 27, 2008
Johannesburg - Umbani Power Company is looking to generate up to 540 megawatts of electricity near Richards Bay by burning discarded coal, biomass and other fuel sources. Hugo Stewart, a technical director to the project, told the KwaZulu-Natal Coal Indaba last week that the ideal power plant that Umbani was investigating was 270MW, which could be expanded to 540MW. ... The idea to generate power from waste coal was conceived in 1997, he added. (Business Report, South Africa)
Insecure electricity supply leads to greater risks in mining, says Anglo Aug 27, 2008
" Progress was hampered by capacity constraints for many stakeholders, including industry, government ministries and equipment manufacturers. He added that "there is also inadequate co-operation between government ministries as well as with industry, and there are leadership problems at many levels". Mining was "absolutely reliant on continuous, adequate, reliable and secure electrical power for safe and healthy access to the working place", he said. Deep-level hard rock mining was dependent on... (Business Report, South Africa)
Rand pinned down as dollar advances Aug 27, 2008
68," they said. Consumer inflation data is due at 11.30am tomorrow. Consumer inflation excluding interest on mortgage bonds (CPIX) - the measure used by the South African Reserve Bank for its inflation target - is expected to have increased at 12.9 percent in July from a record high of 11.6 percent in June, an I-Net Bridge survey shows. This will be the 16th month running that CPIX has been above the 6 percent upper target limit, and will be well above the 6.5 percent recorded a year ago. The... (Business Report, South Africa)
Chavez's signature will enable PetroSA to buy assets in Venezuela Aug 27, 2008
" PetroSA operates one of the world's largest GTL refineries at Mossel Bay. The firm is pursuing oil exploration in Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Egypt. September said no projects had been identified yet, and it was premature to speculate on the size of the Venezuelan investment or proposed output volumes. He added that the deal with Latin America's biggest oil producing company might be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Oil from Venezuela could be earmarked for PetroSA's new $7 billion (R54... (Business Report, South Africa)
Green.view: The politics of sand Aug 26, 2008
Sure, processing tar sands is polluting but so is eating meat and travelling by plane and burning coal. Who is to say which of these activities must stop and which can continue. (The Economist)
Chaturvedi panel and oil sector reforms Aug 26, 2008
Due to artificially depressed prices for diesel, the demand for industrial products such as FO, LSHS, Naphtha, and LDO has been partially substituted with increased consumption of diesel by certain industrial consumers in sectors such as cement, coal, steel, mining, etc, for captive power generation due to severe power cuts in most of the industrially advanced states. The report of the BK Chaturvedi Committee provides a broad package to reform Indias hydrocarbon sector. (India Times)
Stoke Your Portfolio With Coal Aug 26, 2008
Check out the coal mining sector ... The Market Vectors-Coal exchange-traded fund (KOL) seeks to replicate, before fees and expenses, the total return performance of the Stowe Coal Index ... The index provides targeted exposure to companies worldwide that are engaged in the coal industry. (Forbes -- Markets)
Air Force to re-evaluate fuel project at Malmstrom Aug 26, 2008
BILLINGS - A coal-to-liquids project proposed for Malmstrom Air Force Base is under review by the acting secretary of the Air Force, as the agency evaluates the future of its alternative fuels program. In January, the Air Force invited companies to finance and build a plant at the Great Falls base that would convert coal into 25,000 barrels daily of jet fuel, diesel and other products ... "In the near future, a decision will be made in regards to Malmstrom and the coal-to-liquid initiative and... (Missoulian, MT)
Unexpected natural gas boom may ease U.S. energy crunch Aug 26, 2008
While the process of extracting gas produces some environmental damage, natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, releasing lower emissions that cause global warming than coal or oil. It is now used primarily for residential heating and cooking, power generation, providing energy for industrial processes, and as a feedstock for fertilizer, chemicals and plastics. (International Herald Tribune)
Seniors fret rising price of electricity Aug 26, 2008
TVA blames the rising cost of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) needed to power the majority of its generating plants and the recent drought as reasons for its largest electric rate increase in more than three decades ... China imports coal from the U.S. and has driven the price up more than 125 percent in 2008 ... Clark said the cost of transporting coal from out west to the Tennessee Valley also has contributed to its cost. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
World risks 'dirty' energy future Aug 25, 2008
The additional nuclear power plants would also have the advantage of being less vulnerable to fuel price changes than coal or gas-fired generation, helping to enhance the security of electricity supplies. However, it said that governments would have to convince the private sector that the initial investment of about $2bn-3. (Yahoo News -- Energy Policy)
OUR VIEW: FutureGen land contracts give project footing again Aug 25, 2008
The idea is to nearly eliminate airborne byproducts of burning coal to produce energy. With the ever-changing and volatile energy landscape today, FutureGen should be a key to boosting the viability of the abundant supply of the fossil fuel in the United States. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Betting on a hot market for syngas Aug 25, 2008
Before the invention of the electric light, many cities and towns had plants that converted coal to gas for street lamps. With oil and natural gas prices soaring, coal gasification has gained new interest, but is controversial because coal gas produces high amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse emission that contributes to global warming. (Boston Globe)
HK shares up 3.4 pct on US gains;China banks rally Aug 25, 2008
Yanzhou Coal gains on strong first-half profit growth ... HK: , , , ), Yanzhou Coal (1171. (Reuters)
Are Malthus's Predicted 1798 Food Shortages Coming True? (Extended version) Aug 25, 2008
The first Industrial Revolution began with the use of fossil fuel, specifically coal, through Watt s steam engine. Humanity harnessed geological deposits of ancient solar energy, stored as coal, oil, and gas, to do our modern bidding. (Scientific American)
LETTERS: NCT, Aug. 24, 2008 Aug 25, 2008
This doesn't make any sense, when we have more than enough oil, coal and oil shale and the means to get it cleanly and safely, as other countries like Russia and China are doing ... " Can you give us some reasons, John? Most people in the world, even those of us who thoroughly oppose Russian aggression, laughed when Bush and McCain condemned it because of the absurdly blatant hypocrisy of it. Bush ultimately defended his invasion on Saddam's wanting someday to have WMDs. Anyone who justifies... (North County Times)
Shale oil ban outrages miners Aug 25, 2008
Mr Hepburn called on Ms Bligh to go even further and ban the expansion of the coal industry. "I don't envy Ms Bligh, given the economic power of the 'greenhouse mafia', but some time soon she is going to have to make the tough decision to put the future of the state ahead of the vested interests of the coal lobby," he said ... 2 billion in coal royalties this financial year but said its "oft-promoted support for the industries generating Queensland's wealth seems to have become hostage to the... (The Australian)
A U.S. drilling boom revives hopes for natural gas Aug 25, 2008
While the process of extracting gas produces some environmental damage, natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, releasing less of the emissions that cause global warming than coal or oil. It is now used primarily for residential heating and cooking, power generation, providing energy for industrial processes, and as a feed stock for fertilizer, chemicals and plastics. (International Herald Tribune)
DEP nominee faces many challenges Aug 25, 2008
The governor has assigned him to oversee the traditional DEP air, water and mining and land programs, but also to ride herd on the state's booming energy sectors -- oil, coal and natural gas -- and a growing effort to use alternative energy sources ... Oil has gone from $25 to more than $120 a barrel and coal prices are up substantially, and the higher prices are flowing through the gas pump and into the home for heating and electricity ... A: One of the real big issues facing us is the impact... (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
FPL protesters set to return to PB County Aug 25, 2008
Seven months after protesters formed a human chain that blocked the construction entrance of Florida Power & Light Co.'s West County Energy Center, triggering a clash with sheriff's deputies and 27 arrests, a coalition of environmental activists has announced its encore: a second protest at the same site ... The group which includes some of same players organized under a new name, the Everglades Environmental Coalition faces increased scrutiny from law enforcement at a time when they are... (The Palm Beach Post)
Brisk business ahead for Semen Gresik despite challenges Aug 25, 2008
Higher coal prices in the January-June period increased the company's spending on fuel (comprising almost entirely of coal) for every ton of cement by 20 percent to Rp 82,115 (from Rp 69,653 per ton one year earlier) ... Spending on coal and electricity accounted for more than a third of a total production cost ... Dwi estimated that in line with the recent downward trend of oil prices, the prices of commodities including coal would ease in the second semester. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Business)
No more price hikes in H2, says Semen Gresik Aug 25, 2008
President director Dwi Soetjipto said that in light of the downward trend in oil prices in the global market, followed by decreases in other commodities such as coal, there was no reason to further raise the company's retail prices. Coal is the company's main fuel source ... "The price of coal has been quite high, so I expect that in the next semester it will decline, in accordance with oil prices, and the production cost will also decline. Thus, we don't have to raise the price," Dwi said. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Business)
Carbon-neutral wind car to break record Aug 24, 2008
Ecotricity generates about a quarter of its energy from renewables and generates the remainder in a similar proportion from coal, nuclear and natural gas. Find more Low Carbon News related to. (The Low Carbon Economy)
MCCAIN CAMPAIGN SLAMS VP PICK... Aug 24, 2008
It's not the party of Thurmond, Helms and Lott that's playing the race card, rather the Progressive Liberal that's supported by a massive, multi-racial coalition. Really. (The Drudge Report)
An architects rendering of how the two Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors may look at the Levy County site. Progress Energy Florida is seeking permits and funding to build the plants as part of its method to meet demand for electric power in Floridas future. COURTESY ART Aug 24, 2008
Kimble said PEF believes in a balanced portfolio to have a mixture of power sources -- natural gas, coal, fuel and nuclear power. WIth a nuclear plants lifespan estimated at 60 years now, Kimble said, the utility is looking at the future and trying to provide stability to electic power generation. (Lake City Reporter, FL)
Know about your candidate Aug 24, 2008
You think I am crazy, misguided, then you better study the history of the coal mines or the history of the textile mills in New England. Or better yet, study the history of the south with it's slavery and share croppers. (Rockingham Daily Journal, NC)
Severstal Capitalizes On Weak Dollar Aug 23, 2008
Russian steelmaker Severstal is taking advantage of the weak dollar by buying North American coal producers at a discounted rate and ensuring savings on raw materials going forward ... 97) to acquire the North American coal miner PBS Coals in an all-cash deal, after the coal miner was folded into Canada's Penfold Capital Acquisition ... PBS is engaged in the mining, processing and sale of metallurgical and thermal coal in Pennsylvania. (Forbes -- Markets)
Solutions to Stop Global Warming Aug 23, 2008
This solution project is designed to break our dependance on oil, coal, and other fossil fuels by converting to renewables. The Alliance claims the United States has already added enough wind energy to power more an 1,000,000 homes. (Suite101.com)
Energy company continues drilling (5) Aug 23, 2008
This is the final step in completing natural gas coal bed methane wells, Wiese said. As part of the process, workers are cleaning the base of the coal seams ... They inject nitrogen and sand into the cracks in the coal, propping open pores in the coal for testing. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Liquids plant could be boon - Facility faces water, warming hurdles Aug 23, 2008
CROW AGENCY - A 7 billion coal-to-liquids plant proposed for southeastern Montana s Crow reservation promises an economic boon for the region, but must first overcome economic and political hurdles that have kept any such plant from being built in the United States. The Many Stars plant - a partnership between the tribe and Australian-American Energy Co. - would convert the reservation s sizable coal reserves into 50,000 barrels a day of diesel and other fuels ... And up to 900 permanent jobs... (Missoulian, MT)
Radar Acquisitions Corp. Announces Completion of $1,047,750 Private Placement Aug 23, 2008
Radar is focused on a joint venture agreement it has with New Energy USA, LLC, to develop engineered solid fuel products (Re-Fuel(TM)) using a combination of coal waste and biomass. Re-Fuel(TM) will benefit the environment through the reclamation of coal waste and other bio-refuse in the production phase and cleaner stack and ash emissions in the power generation phase ... Production of Re-Fuel can qualify the producing joint venture company for a variety of tax credits while providing coal... (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Daily Briefing Aug 23, 2008
- Russian steel maker OAO Severstal on Friday announced plans to buy Pennsylvania s PBS Coals for about $1 ... Severstal will buy PBS by purchasing a public company, PBS Coals Ltd., that will be created when Penfold Capital Acquisition Corp. buys PBS, the steel maker said ... PBS mines, processes and sells coal in Somerset County, about 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Business)
13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill Aug 23, 2008
That's because the same commodity cravings that are driving up oil prices have also jacked up the costs of coal and natural gas prime fuels needed to generate electricity. Increased demand from China and India, coupled with weather-driven supply setbacks, have nearly doubled market prices for both coal and natural gas this year ... Regions that rely on coal, natural gas or petroleum to generate electricity by EIA estimates, about 70% of power plants in the United States could see more... (SmartMoney)
Severstal to Buy Coal Producer PBS for $1.3 Billion to Supply U.S. Unit Aug 23, 2008
Severstal Agrees to Buy PBS Coals for $1 ... Aug. 22 (Bloomberg) -- , Russia's biggest steelmaker, agreed to buy PBS Coals for $1 ... 3 billion and said it's interested in purchasing more North American coal assets. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
Nordic Commodity, Energy Capital Hedge Funds Beat Rivals in European Power Aug 23, 2008
2 percent this year through July, according to a letter to investors, the best result in a Bloomberg survey of 11 funds in Europe's electricity, coal, natural-gas and emissions markets ... Coal costs, which affect European power markets, more than doubled in the first half, before sliding 13 percent in July ... It was difficult to predict the market, with big swings in coal prices and weather patterns,'' said , managing director of Nordic Commodity Funds in Stockholm, whose Nordic Power Fund... (Bloomberg -- Europe)
Upton in Dowagiac backs Pickens plan 'to do it all' Aug 23, 2008
""We need to look at natural gas," Upton said, "we need to look at clean coal ... That means we're going to generate our own electric hybrids produced with clean coal technology and nuclear as well. (Dowagiac News, MI)
Taliban Plan 'Tet Offensive' in Afghanistan Aug 23, 2008
Pakistan sans President Pervez Musharraf favors negotiations with their homegrown Taliban extremists, and Pakistani officials, speaking privately, believe the United States also should seek accommodation through talks with "moderate" Taliban elements whose objective would be a coalition government ... Pakistani to-ing and fro-ing on the Taliban reflects a post-Musharraf democratic coalition government trying to get its act together ... This, in turn, is a major handicap for U.S. and coalition... (Newsmax)
Duke passes on fuel costs Aug 23, 2008
Fuel prices, particularly for coal, have been rising quickly. Coal costs have nearly tripled in the last year ... Coal accounted for 51. (Charlotte Business Journal, NC)
Talking cars: More power Aug 22, 2008
The steam could be produced by gasoline or coal. A friend told me that most of the energy in the internal combustion gasoline engine is wasted. (Kingston Mariner, MA)
Major Oil Industry Finance Executive Joins Lima Energy Company as Chief Financial Officer Aug 22, 2008
Gasification Technology provides an Ultra Clean High Tech and low cost method for producing Power, Gas, Transportation Fuel and Hydrogen by the closed system BTU Conversion of solid hydrocarbons including coal, petcoke, and renewables. The Company has optimized operating techniques and is able to produce synthetic gas at costs well below market prices for pipeline gas. (PR Newswire)
12 candidates vie for three U.S. Congressional seats Aug 22, 2008
Coal Country Open golf tournament in Gillette. Olympics on TV. (Gillette News-Record, WY)
America's Energy Future Aug 22, 2008
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy plants are generally more expensive to operate than plants using coal and natural gas. But were leaving real solutions behind by not changing this disincentive. (Townhall.com)
