September 20, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

New Book, Yellow Dirt, Documents Uranium Mining on Navajo Lands in Four Corners http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-book-20100920,0,6594991.story

Cigar Lake Review http://www.vancouversun.com/Cigar+Lake+uranium+double+edged+sword/3543382/story.html

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Off Grid Town Pilots Energy Storage http://www.earthtechling.com/2010/09/off-grid-town-pilots-energy-storage/

Geothermal Waiting for its Renaissance http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2010/09/19/bay-street-geothermal-power-waiting-renaissance/

ENERGY POLICY

Wyoming Mineral Industries Want to Hire Contract Permit Reviewers to Speed Permit Processing http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_e74bf4c1-5238-5ade-9088-eb6dc15e3e83.html

COMPANY NEWS

NiMin Announces Operations Update http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nimin-energy-announces-cmd-response-and-wyoming-operations-update-2010-09-20?reflink=MW_news_stmp

SunRun and Toll Brothers Announce New Solar Model Homes http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sunrun-and-toll-brothers-unveil-new-solar-home-models-2010-09-20?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Power One Opens Two New Plants—Now Second Largest Inverter Manufacturer http://pacbiztimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1857&Itemid=1

Westinghouse Believes Modular Nuclear Plant Construction Could Cut Build Time to 36 Months http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/articledisplay/8823286278/articles/powergenworldwide/nuclear/reactors/2010/09/new-nuclear_construction.html

Walmart to Use Thin Film Solar to Increase Renewable Energy Use http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walmart-uses-innovative-thin-film-solar-technology-to-increase-renewable-energy-use-103274754.html

September 17, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Oregon PUC Determined Cost to Remove Four Hydro Plants is Less than Re-licensing Them http://kdrv.com/page/189144

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

New Senate Bill Would Boost Tax Break On Geothermal Projects http://www.magicvalley.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_1d7fbe24-f8bb-57fb-9c81-e13022e99f31.html

ENERGY POLICY

US DOE Issues Call for Large Scale Energy Storage Systems http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/66383

21 Groups Petition for US Renewable Energy Standard http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS379422003220100916

COMPANY NEWS

Boeing Signs $89 Million Deal with DARPA to Design Solar Powered Unmanned Aircraft http://www.executivegov.com/2010/09/boeing-makes-strides-in-green-technology-with-solar-powered-aircraft/

TransCanada Drops Plans for $3 Billion Transmission Line in Montana http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/canadian_company_drops_montana_transmission_project/19614/

BYD Signs Agreement with LA Water and Power on Storage Power Stations http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/byddf_byd-continues-expansion-in-us-energy-field-1172576.html

PG&E Enters Discussion to Purchase Rights to Wind Farm http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pge-enters-discussions-to-purchase-rights-to-wind-farm-2010-09-16?reflink=MW_news_stmp

September 16, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

New MIT Study Shows Nuclear Recycling is Too Costly vs Plentiful Supply of Uranium http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-16/nuclear-fuel-recycling-unnecessary-amid-plentiful-supplies-mit-study-says.html

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

What Happens When Your Wind Turbine Supplier Goes Belly Up http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/138216.html

Ethanol: A Boondoggle Whose Time Has Gone http://www.oaoa.com/opinion/ethanol-52911-whose-including.html

ENERGY POLICY

Electricity Savings: Older School Matched Newer LEED Certified One http://www.9news.com/seenon9news/article.aspx?storyid=153164&catid=509

NRC Determines Nuclear Waste Can Be Safely Stored for 60 Years After Plant Closure http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-15/nuclear-waste-safe-for-60-years-after-a-reactor-closes-u-s-agency-finds.html

When are We Going to Get this Transmission Thing Right? http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2010/09/when-are-we-going-to-get-this-transmission-thing-right

COMPANY NEWS

Denison Delays Uranium Mining in Zambia Until 2012 or When Prices Firm http://english.cri.cn/6826/2010/09/16/2481s594856.htm

Cameco Buys Uranium on the Open Market as Investment http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-16/cameco-buys-uranium-as-investment-to-capitalize-on-price-slump.html

CEO of Ram Power Expects Continued Geothermal Consolidation http://af.reuters.com/article/metalsNews/idAFN1516293120100915

UEC Moves Toward Initial Uranium Production http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/62599/20100915/uranium-energy-corp-uec-moves-toward-initial-uranium-production.htm

Strathmore Commences Development Drilling at Gas Hills Properties in Wyoming http://www.marketwatch.com/story/strathmore-commences-development-drilling-program-at-gas-hills-uranium-properties-wyoming-2010-09-15?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Court Gives Denison Approval to Drill for Uranium in Manti Forest http://www.abc4.com/content/news/state/story/Federal-judge-OKs-uranium-mine-drilling-in-forest/j7gGHB2Nuk2Q0OqzLDxyDQ.cspx

September 13, 2010 News

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

White House Says No Thanks to Solar Panels http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2010/09/10/energy-the-white-house-says-no-thanks-to-solar-panels/

Some CO2 Emissions Permits Don’t Sell in Northeast Auction http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-10/some-carbon-dioxide-emissions-permits-don-t-sell-in-u-s-northeast-auction.html

ENERGY POLICY

Governor Freudenthal Says Wyoming Laws Limit Implementation of EPA Tailoring Rules http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_7061e8a4-bd5c-11df-a201-001cc4c002e0.html

The US Power Sector is Changing, Even Without a Climate Bill http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS50377401020100913

COMPANY NEWS

Rocky Mountain Power Identifies 800 MW of Geothermal Resources in its Service Region http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/09/800-mw-of-geothermal-resources-identified

SAIC Selected to Help Build San Emidio Geothermal Project in Nevada http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/saic-awarded-22-million-contract-to-help-build-geothermal-power-plant-102763479.html

August 23, 2010 News

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Can Fuel Cells Power the Future? http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38817952/ns/technology_and_science-future_of_energy/

BLM Releases Final EIS on Blythe, California Solar Plant http://sunpluggers.com/news/agency-issues-final-environmental-study-for-huge-blythe-solar-power-plant-0854

COMPANY NEWS

Innergex Renewable Energy Announces $85 Million Preferred Stock Offering http://www.evwind.es/noticias.php?id_not=7056

Energy Solutions Close to Clean Up Contract on Zion Nuclear Plant in Illinois http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/money/50153563-79/energysolutions-nuclear-contract-decommissioning.html.csp

Idaho Power Pulls out of 150MW Power Call http://www.windpowermonthly.com/go/northamerica/news/1023427/Idaho-Power-pulls-150MW-tender/

IKEA Denver Store to Have Geothermal System http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/20903

GE To Energize Smart Grid Debate at Paris Energy Summit http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-set-to-energize-the-smart-grid-debate-at-paris-energy-summit-2010-08-23?reflink=MW_news_stmp

August 17, 2010 News--Focus on Solar

Two articles of interest today regarding solar. One discusses the impact on financing deals without Federal grants, and the other is about a company in California selling off its residential solar installation business. Are these early signs that demand for solar is slipping in the United States? Despite the incentives in California, are people still too debt strapped to install solar, or are they taking advantage of the California solar leasing programs? Clearly solar is too expensive per kw generated to build without subsidies, particularly the large plants. The demise of the climate bill has, I suspect, put plans for additional large plants on hold, in the absence of carbon taxes, feed in tariffs or grants. As European countries cut the payout in their feed in tariff programs, the US, with new mandates and incentives, was supposed to offer the next major wave of growth. Perhaps not.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Will Solar Demand Dry Up of The Treasury Grant Program and DOE Renewable Energy Loan Guarantee Programs Expire? http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2010/08/17/20100817resch17.html

Modernizing Geothermal Steam Turbines to Improve Reliability and Efficiency http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/08/modernizing-geothermal-steam-turbines-to-improve-reliability-and-efficiency

COMPANY NEWS

Solar Power Sells Off Its Residential Unit http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/16/2962290/solar-power-inc-sells-off-its.html

July 30, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

US Nuclear Projects Tied Up Awaiting Federal Loan Guarantees http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-29/u-s-nuclear-projects-await-delayed-decisions-on-federal-loan-guarantees.html

Safety Concerns Have Delayed Approval of New Nuclear Reactors http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=slow-reactor-safety

Private Mineral Owners in Wyoming To Auction Drilling Rights http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5htBedFdY0kKKB0mhn-soBDX37JpQD9H8TQJ80

Wyoming Landowners Get Tips as Drilling Interest Grows http://www.billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/article_1b836e00-9b8a-11df-89a1-001cc4c03286.html

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Carbon County Wyoming Mulls New Rules for Wind Farms http://cbs4denver.com/wireapnewswy/Carbon.County.one.2.1831643.html

Nevada’s Bet on Geothermal Power http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/nevadas-big-bet-on-geothermal/

COMPANY NEWS

Improved Market, New Mine Boost Arch Coal Results http://www.stltoday.com/business/energy/article_0101293a-9be1-11df-8bc4-00127992bc8b.html

First Solar Second Quarter Profit Fell Due to Hold Back of Panels for Company-Owned Projects http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-29/first-solar-quarterly-profit-drops-as-own-project-development-increases.html

Sundrop Fuels: Solar Biomass Gasification http://www.triplepundit.com/2010/07/sundrop-fuels-solar-biomass-gasification/

July 19, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Why Uranium Prices Will Rise http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article21157.html

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Five Reasons Green Tech Has Such a Tough Time in America http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/07/why-green-has-such-a-tough-time-in-america/

REN21 Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2010 Report Available Here http://sefi.unep.org/english/globaltrends2010.html

COMPANY NEWS

Toyota and Tesla Plan to Build Electric RAV4 http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-0717-autos-tesla-20100717,0,7510119.story

Uranium Energy Corp Reports Historical Resource of 1.5 Million Pounds Uranium at Salvo Project http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uranium-energy-corp-announces-historical-resource-of-15-million-pounds-eu3o8-at-the-companys-salvo-project-in-south-texas-98737169.html

US Geothermal Selects TAS For Power Plant Technology http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4319692

July, 14, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Superconductor Technology Makes Hydropower Debut http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-introduces-smart-grid-compatible-electric-vehicle-charger-2010-07-13?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Senator Murkowski Introduces Hydropower Bills http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/rwed_sen-murkowski-introduces-bills-to-increase-hydropower-generation-1039902.html

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

NREL Releases Offshore Wind Assessment Report http://nrelpubs.nrel.gov/Webtop/ws/nich/www/public/Record?rpp=25&upp=0&m=4&w=NATIVE%28%27AUTHOR+ph+words+%27%27schwartz%27%27+and+PUBYEAR+%3D+2010%27%29&order=native%28%27pubyear%2FDescend%27%29

Solar Wells Displacing Windmills on Western Range http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gj4MWwW6R15_E-sQqIvMCNllEb4gD9GUMFGG1

ENERGY POLICY

EPA Slashes 2011 Cellulosic Biofuels Estimates http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=3944

COMPANY NEWS

Sempra San Diego Transmission Line Gets USFS Approval on a 19 Mile Segment http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=15718

GE Introduces an Electric Vehicle Charger http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-introduces-smart-grid-compatible-electric-vehicle-charger-2010-07-13?reflink=MW_news_stmp

El Paso Receives BLM Right of Way Grant for New Gas Pipeline http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9GUEVLO0

Arch to Aggressively Pursue Development of Otter Creek Property in Montana http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/montana/article_f55b329c-8efc-11df-b64a-001cc4c03286.html

Raser May Sell Stake in Thermo 1 to Finance Turbine Upgrades http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-14/raser-may-sell-stake-in-utah-geothermal-plant-to-finance-larger-turbines.html

Two Companies Lead the Pure Play Biofuels Market http://www.energyboom.com/yes/eboom-capital-two-companies-lead-pure-play-biofuels

Bechtel to Partner with Babcock and Wilcox on Modular Reactors http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/articledisplay/5095256638/articles/powergenworldwide/nuclear/reactors/2010/07/modular-nuclear_reactor.html

Local Alternative Generation vs. Imported Power

Today, we have articles that clarify important points about renewable energy standards. What will states do to generate their RPS in-state rather than importing their clean energy from other markets, and who bears the cost? It is terrific to take every parking lot and every rooftop and put solar panels on them and generate power locally. Those nearest to it benefit--the local utility and its customers. But when wind farms in North and South Dakota are generating wind for Chicago or Indiana, who bears the burden of the transmission of that power? The Hoosier story today outlines that FERC has already approved one plan to have utility customers bear 100% of the cost of tranmission, and now the Midwest ISO is asking for the same. Equity is hard to parse in these long distance renewable power deals.

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

New Mexico Creates Task Force to Plan Power Line Expansion http://www.newswest9.com/Global/story.asp?S=12774669

DOE Looks for Short Term Storage Options for Depleted Uranium http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/07/09/DOE-seeks-home-for-depleted-uranium/UPI-93851278652154/

US Appeals Court Rejected Stay on Lower Court Lift on Drilling Moratorium http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65O5TA20100708

Natural Gas Industry Criticized for Lack of Successful Lobby http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_15472282

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

DOE to Use Nevada Nuclear Test Site to Study New Solar Technologies http://sunpluggers.com/news/us-planning-solar-power-plants-at-former-nuclear-test-site-in-nevada-0683

Turning Parking Lots into Solar Farms http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2010/07/turning-parking-lots-into-vast-urban-solar-farms/1

ENERGY POLICY

Hoosiers May Bear $16 Billion Cost of Wind Turbines http://www.indystar.com/article/20100709/BUSINESS/7090328/For-Hoosier-consumers-bigger-bills-are-in-the-wind

Obama Pushes for Extension of $5 Billion Clean Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits http://www.businessgreen.com/business-green/news/2266239/obama-puts-clean-economy-heart


COMPANY NEWS

PurpleEnergy Seeks $5 Million DOE Grant to Study Cool Geothermal http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700046269/Utah-company-researching-cool-geothermal-power.html

Areva's Loan Guarantee and Pavillion's EPA Wells

In today's news, Areva's acceptance of the DOE loan guarantee on its proposed Idaho Falls enrichment facility is the biggest story. As many in the nuclear fuel cycle business know, the 2013 expiration of the Megatons to Megawatts agreement with the Russians means that the US nuclear industry will need to find alternate sources of uranium fuel stock. Urenco's New Mexico enrichment facility, Areva's plant and USEC's facility will all be coming on line to meet the industry needs for fuel. Timing is everything, and we will be watching to see if the NRC construction permit tracks its timeline so that Areva can begin building in 2011 and delivering product by 2014.

The article on the Pavillion test wells is very relevant, as this community was one of the first in the United States to claim its water wells had been contaminated by fracking fluid. The alternate view point is that the wells had been contaminated by chemicals that had been dumped on the surface or buried over many years and had only now reached the water table. The EPA plans to hold a community meeting later in the year to provide the test results.

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

EPA Drills Test Wells In Pavillion, Wyoming http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2010/07/07/news/state_news/news19.txt

ENERGY POLICY

NSA Program Targets Domestic Cyber Attacks http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/07/07/program-plans-detect-cyber-attacks-utilities-companies/

COMPANY NEWS

Recurrent Energy to Sell Sacramento 60MW of Solar Power over 20 Years http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/07/07/BUOQ1EB1B0.DTL

OriginOil Announces New Hydrogen Harvester Invention http://www.marketwatch.com/story/originoil-announces-breakthrough-hydrogen-harvester-invention-2010-07-08?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Areva Accepts $2 Billion DOE Loan Guarantee on Enrichment Facility http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews.aspx?xmlpath=RSSFeed/HeadlineNews/Nuclear/8885273.xml

Ram Power and Sierra Geothermal Enter into a Definitive Agreement http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ram-power-and-sierra-geothermal-power-enter-into-a-definitive-agreement-2010-07-08?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Powertech Uranium Receives Preliminary Economic Assessment on its South Dakota Property http://www.marketwatch.com/story/powertech-receives-positive-results-from-independent-preliminary-economic-assessment-on-dewey-burdock-project-2010-07-08?reflink=MW_news_stmp