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Showing posts with label uranium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label uranium. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

October 19, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Western Oil and Gas Drillers File Suit Against the Department of Interior on Holding Up Lease Issuance after Auctions http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/124679-leasing-western

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Financing Thin for Large Scale Solar Projects http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/18/business/energy-environment/18green.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&src=busln&adxnnlx=1287576095-hHU0W6IVYFZ/JSXKfeLo8g

Wyoming Tax Policy and Other Factors Drive Slowdown in Wind Farm Construction http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_60befa58-1aea-5fb6-a931-b0213d6540a4.html

ENERGY POLICY

Arizona's Salt River Project Trims Rebate Incentives on Residential Solar Installations http://sunpluggers.com/news/arizonas-salt-river-project-temporarily-trims-solar-incentive-to-1-per-watt-01035

COMPANY NEWS

Peninsula Offers Uranium Drilling Update on Wyoming Properties http://nuclearfuels.energy-business-review.com/news/peninsula-finds-significant-uranium-mineralization-in-wyoming_191010

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

September 21, 2010 News-Wyoming Joint Minerals Committee Meets in Jackson Hole

It's not often that I get to attend meetings with reporters and hear the same thing they did and then read the story and wonder, "Was I in the same room?" Today, I have a story about GE retooling the test coal gasification plant it is building with the University of Wyoming. This story was based upon testimony offered by representatives of GE and the University of Wyoming to the Wyoming Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee during a meeting in Jackson Hole yesterday. What I heard was that GE lost its partner customer, because many utilities canceled coal-related projects totaling 87 gigawatts over the last four years. The customer cancellation is giving GE the opportunity to refine its feedstock assumptions for the plant.

In my view, coal plant cancellations have been in the news for some time, particularly given very low natural gas prices, which make gas-fired plants much more financially attractive, concerns over the financial impact of an implementation of any sort of carbon tax, and objections from special interest groups against new coal plant construction. Though there was some discussion about the failed climate bill and the implications for a renewable energy standard, I didn't hear anyone say that it was failed climate legislation that dealt any setback for the plant.

Maybe it happened when I was out of the room.

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Consulting Group Recommends Next North Dakota Refinery Produce Diesel Fuel http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iUw3w5Yn9y_39mtdpPMtLlMGZVRgD9IBSA801

ENERGY POLICY

Senator Bingaman to Introduce a 15% Renewable Energy Standard http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-09-20/u-s-senator-to-press-for-15-renewable-power-target.html

COMPANY NEWS

Ormat Gets $108 Million in US Funding Instead of Tax Credit for North Brawley, CA Plant http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000589644&fid=1725

10th Circuit Rules Homestake Mining's Uranium Mill did not Cause Neighbors' Cancer or Deaths http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2010/09/20/news/doc4c97e14e7436d885373977.txt

GE Retools High Plains Coal Gasification Plant in Wyoming http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/article_9798bbc2-6fd1-5ad9-8864-73a2bb891db2.html

US Geothermal Offers Operational Update http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-geothermal-updates-status-of-development-projects-new-wells-drilled-at-neal-hot-springs-2010-09-21-84310?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Xcel Looks to Add 250 MW of Wind through PPA or Acquisition of New Farms http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wind/article230088.ece

Cotter Refuses to Pay State Fine for Uranium Contamination http://coloradoindependent.com/62240/cotter-corp-refuses-to-pay-state-fine-uranium-contamination

Monday, September 20, 2010

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

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

September 15, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Study Estimates the Cost of Repealing Two Oil and Gas Tax Credits http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20100914/FEATURES12/100919666/1292?Title=Study-estimates-cost-of-repealing-two-oil-and-gas-tax-credits

Thermal Coal as US Export Industry http://seekingalpha.com/article/225244-thermal-coal-as-u-s-export-industry

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

US Army Deploys Solar Backpacks http://cleantechnica.com/2010/09/14/u-s-army-deploys-solar-power-backpacks-in-afghanistan/

Live Blog Feed from the Energy Moving Forward Forum in Denver http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/broadway_17th/2010/09/energy_moving_forward_live_blog.html

Thorium as An Alternative to Uranium http://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Thorium-A-Cheap-Clean-and-Safe-Alternative-to-Uranium.html

South Dakota Farmers Unite for Legal Fight with VeraSun http://www.kdlt.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5056&Itemid=57

ENERGY POLICY

Ethanol Supporters Hope for Increase in Blends to E-15 http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20100914/NEWS06/100914049

COMPANY NEWS

Lowes Expands Energy Center to Stores Nationwide http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lowes-expands-energy-center-nationwide-2010-09-14?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Real Goods Solar to Pick up Existing Installation Backlog and Pipeline of Westinghouse (Akeena) Solar http://www.marketwatch.com/story/real-goods-solar-to-install-existing-backlog-and-pipeline-of-westinghouse-solar-2010-09-14?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Arsenal Energy Offers Operational Update http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Arsenal-Energy-Inc-Releases-Operational-Update-TSX-AEI-1319114.htm

Solazyme Delivers 20,000 Gallons of Algal Derived Fuel to US Military http://www.genengnews.com/industry-updates/solazyme-completes-world-s-largest-microbial-advanced-biofuel-delivery-to-u-s-military/93967322/

Denbury to Pay $115 Million for Stake in Wyoming Gas Field and CO2 Rights http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2010/09/15/denbury-pay-million-stake-wyoming-field-rights/

Friday, August 13, 2010

August 13, 2010 News

Best Reading of the Day is the Alternative Energy special section in the current issue of Science magazine online. The link is offered below.

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Hundreds Turn Out for Areva NRC Hearing in Idaho Falls, Idaho http://www.localnews8.com/news/24615615/detail.html

The Greening of Uranium http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/43042/20100812/the-greening-of-uranium.htm

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Science Magazine Issues Special Section on Alternative Energy http://www.sciencemag.org/special/energy/

Smart Meters will Help Target Pot Grow-Ops http://www.canada.com/Smart+meters+will+help+target+grow/3389608/story.html

COMPANY NEWS

WindPower Unveils Permanent Magnet Generator Wind Turbines http://www.localnews8.com/news/24615615/detail.html

Gevo Files for $150 Million IPO http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE67B0OA20100812

NiMin Announces Second Quarter Results http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nimin-energy-corp-announces-2010-second-quarter-results-2010-08-12?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Comverge Delivers More than 100 MW of Peak Demand Load Reduction to Rocky Mountain Power http://www.marketwatch.com/story/comverge-delivers-more-than-100-megawatts-to-rocky-mountain-power-2010-08-12?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Toyota Prius Plug-In Review http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/car-manufacturers/toyota/7928827/Toyota-Prius-Plug-in-review.html

Baytex Energy Trust Announces Second Quarter Results http://www.marketwatch.com/story/baytex-energy-trust-announces-second-quarter-2010-results-2010-08-12-81430?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Friday, August 6, 2010

August 6, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Survey Says Wyoming Residents Support Uranium Mining http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2010/08/06/news/20local_08-06-10.txt

BLM To Move Forward on Sale of 350 Million Short Tons of Coal in Wyoming's Powder River Basin http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews.aspx?xmlpath=RSSFeed/HeadlineNews/Coal/6268464.xml

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

RFA Analysis Finds More Overstatement Problems with EPA Calculation of Ethanol GHG Impacts http://www.centurycitynews.com/article/GREEN/RENEWABLE_ENERGY/RFA_Analysis_Reveals_More_Problems_With_EPA_GHG_Accounting/61587

ENERGY POLICY

Reid Said $1.5 Billion Renewable Energy Loan Program to be Restored Later http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=1&docID=cqmidday-000003719218

COMPANY NEWS

Denison Mines Reports Second Quarter Results http://www.marketwatch.com/story/denison-mines-corp-reports-second-quarter-2010-results-2010-08-05-1723540?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Thursday, August 5, 2010

August 5, 2010 News

Yesterday, the University of Wyoming held a one day conference on the state of the Wyoming uranium industry, with a focus on in-situ recovery. Video recordings of the conference are supposed to be available soon, but here is the link to the white papers discussed by over 200 participants http://www.uwyo.edu/ser/info.asp?p=23373. As the webcasts are available, I will post them here, also.

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Landmen Crowd In To View Property Deeds At Johnson County Wyoming Courthouse http://www.buffalobulletin.com/articles/2010/08/04/news/local_news/doc4c5992451410c766544452.txt

NRC Has Not Received Applications for Mini Nuclear Plants Yet http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7019490831?Nuke%20Agency%20Says%20No%20Aps%20Yet%20For%20Mini%20Nuclear%20Reactors

Wyoming Uranium Conference Reports http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20100805/NEWS01/8050345

http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2010/08/05/news/20local_08-05-10.txt

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Xcel’s Giant Battery Smooths Out Variable Wind Power http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20012597-54.html

Ivanpah Solar Plant Gets Siting Approval http://sunpluggers.com/news/giant-ivanpah-solar-power-plant-in-mojave-desert-gains-committee-approval-0777

ENERGY POLICY

Harkin Introduces Biofuels Amendment http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.Iml?Article=205462

COMPANY NEWS

US Energy Provides Williston Basin Update http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-energy-corp-provides-williston-basin-update-2010-08-04?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Devon Energy Reports Second Quarter Results http://www.wyomingbusinessreport.com/article.asp?id=52882

Thursday, July 29, 2010

July 29, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Uranium Forum on August 4th at University of Wyoming http://www.gillettenewsrecord.com/articles/2010/07/28/news/today/news04.txt

Wyoming Governor Freudenthal Urges Pelosi to Stall Proposed Federal Drilling Regulations http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9H84TJG3

House Drops Regulations on Hydraulic Fracturing http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/541496.html?nav=5010

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Pickens and Home Depot Beat Wind Turbine Makers in Revised Energy Measure http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-28/pickens-home-depot-beat-wind-turbine-makers-in-u-s-energy-legislation.html

ENERGY POLICY

Energy Subsidies—Good and Bad http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/opinion/29thu3.html?_r=1

No National RES in Reid Energy Bill http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/solar-politics/national-res-dies/

COMPANY NEWS

Alternative Energy Holdings Announces Purchase Agreement for a Backup Site for Its Proposed Nuclear Power Plant http://www.marketwatch.com/story/alternate-energy-holdings-inc-signs-agreement-on-new-backup-nuclear-site-in-idaho-2010-07-28?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Pacific Northern Gas Reports Second Quarter Results http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pacific-northern-gas-reports-second-quarter-results-and-declares-third-quarter-dividends-2010-07-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Nextraction Announces Reserve Update for North Pinedale Project http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nextraction-announces-update-to-ni-51-101-reserve-report-for-north-pinedale-project-2010-07-28-9290?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Xcel Energy Reports Second Quarter Earnings http://www.marketwatch.com/story/xcel-energy-second-quarter-2010-earnings-2010-07-29?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

July 27, 2010 News

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Is the Metropolis Plant Closure Responsible for a Rise in Uranium Prices? http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2010/07/26/uranium-price-spike-ahead.aspx

Judge's Ruling May Boost Nuclear Storage in Utah http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/49997613-76/interior-project-ebel-nuclear.html.csp

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

Biofuels Mandate is Costly and Ineffective? http://reason.com/blog/2010/07/26/biofuels-mandate-greenhouse-ga

House Democrats Propose $25 Billion in Tax Breaks for Green Energy http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201007261818dowjonesdjonline000324&title=us-house-democrats-propose-green-energy-tax-breaks

ENERGY POLICY

Dems Press Reid to Include a Renewable Energy Standard in the Energy Bill http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/110921-twenty-seven-dems-press-reid-to-put-renewable-power-standard-in-energy-bill

Grid Monitor Urges Utilities to Go Slow on Smart Grid Renovations http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/07/27/27climatewire-monitor-urges-utilities-to-go-slow-on-smart-85097.html

COMPANY NEWS

UPS Releases Sustainability Report, Plans to Increase Fleet Fuel Efficiency by 20% http://www.fastcompany.com/1674484/ups-releases-sustainability-report-plans-to-increase-auto-fuel-efficiency-by-20

Luca Technologies Withdraws Application to "Grow" Methane in Wyoming PRB http://www.buffalobulletin.com/articles/2010/07/26/news/local_news/doc4c4731759c2e6290032327.txt

Portland General Electric Completes Largest Rooftop Solar Project in Northwest http://www.marketwatch.com/story/largest-rooftop-solar-project-in-northwest-now-online-for-portland-general-electric-customers-2010-07-26?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Uranium Energy Corp Issues Mid Year Report http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uranium-energy-corp-issues-mid-year-shareholder-report-99306979.html

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Biodiversity, Climate Change and Marmots

Most of the global warming hand-wringing to date has focused on adverse impacts--pine beetles killing off forests, polar bears losing ice caps. Finally, today, an article on ninemsn.com puts a positive spin on an animal population--the marmot. Apparently in Colorado, the marmot average weight is increasing and its population is expanding as longer summers give the animals enough time to put on weight, repopulate and then go back to hibernate. Score one point for global warming.

TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Hydropower Industry Lobbies Congress on Murkowski Bill http://www.brighterenergy.org/13929/news/marine-hydro/support-hydropower-to-create-1-4m-jobs-congress-urged/

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

INL Recognized for Waste to Biodiesel Process http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=4300

ENERGY POLICY

Time Running Out for Energy Bill http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/07/21/21climatewire-while-reid-ponders-some-democrats-see-time-ru-3776.html

Global Warming Helping Colorado Marmot Populations http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/7933170/global-warming-brings-more-sex-food

COMPANY NEWS

Interview with Geordie Mark on Uranium Stocks http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/36996/20100720/uranium-uranium-investing-uranium-miners-uranium-stocks.htm

NextEra Signs PPA with Google Energy for 114 MW Wind Power from Iowa http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nextera-energy-resources-signs-ppa-with-google-energy-to-supply-wind-power-2010-07-20?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Solexant's New Thin Film Solar Plant to be Built in Oregon http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/new-solar-panel-factory-is-destined-for-oregon/19562247/

Monday, July 19, 2010

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

Monday, July 12, 2010

Trouble Meeting RPS Standards and Other News

Recently there have been calls to allow California utilities buy more renewable power from outside the state and to buy renewable credits to meet RPS standards. The reasons are clear in an article today, from the LA Times, which reports that California utilities are having a hard time meeting the current 20% RPS goal by year end. The reasons are many and are described in the article. California is such an interesting case, as a large economy reliant on power imported from neighboring states, but its situation is not unique. States in the Northeast are also finding it a challenge to meet RPS standards on in-state generated alternative power. Will these RPS standards force California to abandon its ban on new nuclear power to achieve its goals, or will it continue to rely on other states for its energy destiny?


TRADITIONAL ENERGY

Uranium Bottoming as China Stockpiles 10,000 Tons from Cameco http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-11/uranium-bottoming-as-china-stockpiles-10-000-tons-from-cameco.html

Interview with T. Boone Pickens http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/12/pf/pickens_energy_stocks.fortune/


ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

California Utilities Struggle to Meet RPS Requirement http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-clean-power-20100710,0,3083534.story

ENERGY POLICY

Group Proposes North Dakota Energy Policy http://www.kxnet.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=601226

Squandering the Stimulus http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/07/squandering_the_stimulus.html

New Rules in Massachusetts Set Bad Precedent for Biomass http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/10/business/energy-environment/10biomass.html?_r=1&src=busln

Climate Bill Would Not Add to Deficit As Long as Carbon Credits Are Sold to Utilities to Raise Money http://www.brighterenergy.org/13504/news/legislation/climate-and-energy-bill-would-not-add-to-deficit/

COMPANY NEWS

Idaho Power Signs First Large Solar Agreement http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/idhoo_idaho-power-signs-first-large-solar-energy-agreement-1033116.html


Southern Cal Edison Won Approval to Buy 500 MW Renewable Power http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0823039820100708

Thursday, July 8, 2010

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