Saint Paul MN (SPX) May 21, 2009 - Minnesota's fleet of vehicles is using more E85 than ever, according to a new quarterly report from the Minnesota SmartFleet Committee, a group tasked with helping to reduce the state's use of petroleum fuels in favor of cleaner-burning fuels such as E85 and biodiesel.
Washington DC (SPX) May 21, 2009 - The answer to the looming fuel crisis in the 21st century may be found by thinking small, microscopic in fact. Microscopic organisms from bacteria and cyanobacteria, to fungi and microalgae, are biological factories that are proving to be efficient sources of inexpensive, environmentally friendly biofuels that can serve as alternatives to oil, according to research presented at the 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
Boston MA (SPX) May 21, 2009 - ConocoPhillips shareholders demonstrated even stronger support this year than last for a shareholder proposal calling for the company to fully account for the environmental impact of its tar sands operations. Over thirty percent (30.54%) of shareholders voted in support, compare to last year's vote of 27.5%.
Menlo Park CA (SPX) May 21, 2009 - Global demand for ethanol is predicted to increase annually by 9.3% over next 5 years. The United States is the largest consumer using 50% of the world's supply, largely due to mandated production levels specified by legislation.
Canberra, Australia (SPX) May 21, 2009 - A new research partnership between CSIRO and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (VicDPI) will delve deep into Victoria's basins to unearth new oil and gas reserves. The three year agreement aims to assist energy companies to more effectively explore for new oil and gas reserves, reduce exploration risk and encourage investment in Victoria.
Washington (UPI) May 19, 2009 - Just a year ago, Gazprom, Russia's state natural gas company behemoth and the country's biggest and most powerful company, seemed to go from strength to strength. Now, however, its policies have alienated one of its largest suppliers, Turkmenistan, and if Gazprom's management does not dramatically alter its policies, then it could lose access to the 42 billion to 45 billion cubic meters of natural gas it purchases annually from Turkmenistan, perhaps for good.
Beijing (AFP) May 19, 2009 - Brazil's president said Tuesday in China that the two nations had achieved a century's worth of results in a mere generation, as he witnessed the signing of several large business deals cementing ties.
Beijing (AFP) May 19, 2009 - Beijing said it was eager Tuesday to take part in a meeting next month of foreign ministers of the four so-called emerging BRIC nations, Brazil, Russia, India and China.
New Orleans LA (SPX) May 19, 2009 - Entergy Chairman and CEO J. Wayne Leonard has issued a statement in response to U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu's announcement that $2.4 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to expand and accelerate the commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
Houston TX (SPX) May 19, 2009 - If one University of Houston professor has his way, the inexpensive plastic now used to manufacture CDs and DVDs will one day soon be put to use in improving the integrity of electronics in aircraft, computers and iPhones.
St. Louis MO (SPX) May 19, 2009 - Material scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a technique for a bimetallic fuel cell catalyst that is efficient, robust and two to five times more effective than commercial catalysts.
Boston MA (SPX) May 19, 2009 - A new sponge-like material that is black, brittle and freeze-dried (just like the ice cream astronauts eat) can pull off some pretty impressive feats. Designed by Northwestern University chemists, it can remove mercury from polluted water, easily separate hydrogen from other gases and, perhaps most impressive of all, is a more effective catalyst than the one currently used to pull sulfur out of crude oil.
Barvikha, Russia (AFP) May 19, 2009 - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg met Tuesday for talks on the Arctic, amid growing international interest in the region's vast energy resources.
Washington (AFP) May 19, 2009 - US Energy Secretary Steven Chu pledged Tuesday the administration would pursue clean coal technology, even as it focuses research on alternatives such as wind and solar.
Bethesda MD (SPX) May 18, 2009 - AREVA's Transmission and Distribution (T and D) division has announced the extension of its three-year long collaboration with Microsoft to include the development of Smarter Grid Management solutions to help the worldwide power industry efficiently and reliably fulfill the future global demand for power.
Miami (UPI) May 18, 2009 - Bolivia's state-run gas company and 13 foreign energy firms have decided to increase natural gas exports, a deal that assuages fears among Latin American neighbors Brazil and Argentina of potential supply shortfalls during the Southern Hemisphere's approaching winter.
