Saturday, July 28, 2012

Do We Want to Buy Canadian Oil From the Chinese?

Do We Want To Buy Canadian Oil From The Chinese?
Investor's Business Daily
Energy Policy: Buoyed by White House inaction, China's state-owned oil company has made a multibillion-dollar bid for a Canadian company with interests in Canada's oil sands — North American oil for the lamps of China. 'Do we really want to be buying ...

Record number of coal-fired generators to be shut down in 2012

http://dailycaller.com/2012/07/28/record-number-of-coal-fired-generators-to-be-shut-down-in-2012/

FERC Rules Need to Accommodate the Aggregation of Distributed Electricity Storage

Posted: 28 Jul 2012 12:13 AM PDT

One of the great opportunities of distributed energy storage (DES) technology—and perhaps critical to its economic viability—is the ability of owners of DES systems to aggregate the electricity stored by tens or hundreds of individual DES systems and to wheel that power to customers outside the owner’s service area. The FERC’s current NOPR will deal in part with rules governing how and at what price owners of DES systems can sell stored electricity to customers in interstate transactions that are subject to FERC jurisdiction.

China Energy Update 7/28

China's hunger for energy is insatiable
Deutsche Welle
The aim of the bid is to secure China's future energy needs, Leon Leschus from the Hamburg-based Institute of International Economics (HWWI) told DW. He pointed out that China currently depended on imports to cover its oil needs. "The demand has ...

Deutsche Welle

China Leads The World In Renewable Energy Investment
Forbes
China was responsible for almost one-fifth of total global investment, spending $52 billion on renewable energy last year. The United States was close behind with investments of $51 billion, as developers sought to benefit from government incentive programs ...

Forbes

US Sets Duties as High as 73% on Chinese Tower Imports
Businessweek
The U.S. has imposed duties on numerous types of renewable- energy products from China in recent months, prompting retaliation in an escalation of trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. President Barack Obama and Republican ...

China flexes muscles with Cnooc, Nexen deal
MarketWatch
“China realizes that access to energy is power,” said Phil Flynn, a senior energy analyst for Price Futures Group — and Canada just might be the “new Middle East” as oil sands there, with new technology, may hold as much oil as Saudi Arabia. China National ...

MarketWatch

Analysis: Phantom fears surround China's Nexen deal
Reuters
If Beijing thinks Nexen will open the door to a rash of big North American energy acquisitions by its state-controlled enterprises, it may want to think again. For starters, Canada could still block the Nexen deal - China's biggest ever foreign takeover bid.

OVERNIGHT ENERGY: US-China green energy trade battle may escalate Friday
The Hill (blog)
STATE OF PLAY: The Commerce Department will unveil preliminary findings Friday in an anti-dumping probe of China's sales of wind-energy towers to the United States. New tariffs, if imposed, would follow a late May initial decision to slap tariffs on the ...

China's CNOOC may tap bond, loan markets for Nexen bid: sources
Reuters
HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's CNOOC Ltd (0883.HK

), the world's biggest energy explorer by market value, may borrow several billion dollars early next year to help fund its planned $15.1 billion cash bid for Nexen Inc (NXY.TO

), sources familiar with the ...

US piles more duties on Chinese wind towers
Reuters
WASHINGTON, July 27 (Reuters) - The United States slapped on Friday a second round of duties on wind turbine towers from China, ratcheting up tensions between the two countries in the renewable energy sector. The U.S. Commerce Department said it ...

Solar Trade War With China Goes Global
Energy Collective
The Alliance for Affordable Solar Energy, made up of polysilicon suppliers, equipment manufacturers and project developers and installers, has formed to fight trade sanctions. And while ProSun claimed “more than 20 members,” it did not name those other ...

CNOOC: A mega energy deal in Canada
Businessweek
Canada has become fertile ground for Chinese companies looking to satisfy the huge energy demand back home. With the CNOOC deal, Chinese energy companies have spent $53.4 billion in Canada over the past decade. Their U.S. counterparts have ...

Cnooc-Nexen deal under US scrutiny

MarketWatch -

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Chinese energy giant Cnooc Ltd.'s $15.1 billion deal to buy Nexen Inc. is under increasing political scrutiny in the US even as it faces a long regulatory review in Canada. “It is rare that we have so much leverage to exert ...

The Nexen deal: China's bid to fit in

Globe and Mail -

Keith Spence has had a front-row seat to the coming of age of China Inc. When the Toronto investment banker first arrived in Beijing in the late 1990s, Chinese company and government officials were insecure about their role in the world and were ...

Foreign firms covet Canada's energy

Vancouver Sun - ‎

This week's bid by a state-owned Chinese company for ownership of Calgary's Nexen Inc. underscores a growing Asian interest in companies involved in Canada's resource sector. The $15-billion Nexen offer by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation ...

US senator wants government to block Nexen deal to press China on trade

CTV News - ‎

Sen. Charles Schumer, DN.Y., talks about the Democrats and Republican tax proposals during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 24, 2012. (AP / Manuel Balce Ceneta) A Nexen oilsands facility seen from a helicopter near Fort ...

Oil-patch ironies aside, many questions for Harper

Globe and Mail - ‎

Those who have discussed the issue with him report that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been worried a state-owned company, likely from China, would take a run at a major Canadian energy producer. Now that the massive China National Offshore Oil Corp ...

Senator warns China on trade in review of oil deal

Reuters India -

By Roberta Rampton | WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Charles Schumer said on Friday that the United States should use a bid by China's state-run CNOOC for Canadian oil company Nexen Inc as a chance to take China to task for long-standing trade and ...

China Leads The World In Renewable Energy Investment - OIL ...
From: Forbes - Energy - 9:19am - July 27, 2012. According to a recently released United Nations report, global investment in renewable energy reached a record $257 billion in 2011, a 17 percent increase from the amount invested in 2010.
eWallstreeter

NRC Report States That Storing Spent Nuclear Fuel In Wet Pools Is 'Adequate ...

Union of Concerned Scientists - ‎

WASHINGTON (July 27, 2012) - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) today issued a staff paper evaluating recommendations based on lessons learned from the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in March 2011. The paper reiterated the NRC's position that ...

NRC wants information on nuclear plants' power system designs


NRC wants information on nuclear plants' power system designs Power Engineering Magazine The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a bulletin to all nuclear power plant licensees requesting information about their electric power system designs and alerting them to a potential design vulnerability that could affect the operation of key safety ...		NRC alerts nuclear operators to possible design flaw Reuters \| July 27 (Reuters) - The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Friday alerted nuclear power plant operators to a potential design vulnerability that could affect key safety equipment and requested additional information about power system designs. Feds: Closer looks possible at nuclear power plant Gaston Gazette The federal agency that oversees nuclear power plants said Catawba Nuclear Station could be subject to increased scrutiny in the wake of an April power failure at the plant. Catawba Nuclear Station in York County on Lake Wylie lost power April 5, ... NRC Issues Bulletin on Potential Design Vulnerability in Electric Power ... Power Engineering Magazine - ‎NRV has issued a Bulletin to all nuclear power plant licensees requesting information about their electric power system designs and alerting them to a potential design vulnerability that could affect the operation of key ...

Malware Blasts AC/DC in Iranian Nuclear Facility

Malware Blasts AC/DC in Iranian Nuclear Facility
http://www.darkgovernment.com/news/malware-blasts-acdc-in-iranian-nuclear-facility/

Malware can be a major pain for anyone with a computer or mobile device, as it
can lead to security risks like identity theft. But when a virus targets a
nuclear facility, the stakes are much much higher. According to a report on
security site F-Secure, Iran's nuclear energy group — called the Atomic Energy

Frack Attack

Will Fracking Impact My Family?

Wired News - ‎Jul 27, 2012‎

By Laura Grace Weldon A dairy farm not far from us is the first in our area to begin hydraulic fracturing. This process was developed to extract formerly unattainable gas and oil from rock a mile or more below the surface. Unlike old style wells bored ...

"Stop the Frack Attack" rally in Washington, DC

YNN Hudson Valley - ‎13 hours ago‎

HUDSON VALLEY -- Bus loads will make their way to the nation's capital on Saturday to take part in the first-ever national rally to protest hydrofracking. The rally, called "Stop the Frack Attack," is calling on Congress to take action to protect ...

Thousands to Protest Dirty and Dangerous Fracking on Saturday, July 28

eNews Park Forest - ‎17 hours ago‎

WASHINGTON--(ENEWSPF)--July 27 - Thousands of “fracktivists” will travel to Washington DC this week for Stop the Frack Attack, the first-ever national protest to stop dirty and dangerous fracking. The 3-day summit will culminate in a rally on the West ...

Local Residents Head to DC For Stop the Frack Attack Rally

WBOY-TV - ‎18 hours ago‎

Area residents are taking to the web to try and stop the lock closures on the Monongahela River, and now they're getting support from the Marion County Commission. Area residents are taking to the web to try and stop the lock closures on the ...

Americans Gather for First-Ever National Rally against Fracking

OMB Watch - ‎20 hours ago‎

Americans from across the country – tired of waiting for state or federal protections – have been arriving in the nation's capital this week to participate in the first-ever national anti-fracking rally on July 28. More than 3000 people are expected to ...

Bus trip to 'Stop Frack Attack' rally Saturday

Times Herald-Record - ‎Jul 26, 2012‎

NEWBURGH — The Stewart Park and Reserve Coalition (SPARC) is sending a bus to Washington, DC, Saturday to join thousands of people for the "Stop the Frack Attack" rally and march. A full-size Leprechaun Lines coach with restroom and video will leave at ...

Mid-Hudsoners rallying over fracking loophole

Times Herald-Record - ‎Jul 26, 2012‎

By Steve Israel Three busloads from the mid-Hudson are heading to the nation's capital Saturday to join the first-ever national rally to protest the controversial natural gas extraction method of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.

Bus leaves Friday for 'Stop the Frack Attack' protest in DC

Youngstown Vindicator - ‎Jul 26, 2012‎

A bus will leave the First Unitarian Universalist Church (corner of Elm and Illinois Streets) at 11:45 pm today with local residents who will join thousands of “fracktivists” in Washington, DC, on Saturday for the Stop the Frack Attack, ...

Fracking Opposition Carries Message to Washington

NGI's Shale Daily (subscription) - ‎Jul 26, 2012‎

Protesters aiming to "Stop the Frack Attack" were planning to hold a three-day meeting in the nation's capital at the end of this week for obstructionist training sessions and lobbying of Congress, to be followed by a Saturday afternoon demonstration ...

Anti-Fracking Groups Prepare for National Convergence in Washington DC

The Indypendent - ‎Jul 26, 2012‎

Opponents of the natural gas-drilling practice known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, will take another major step in building their movement this weekend when they gather in Washington DC for a national convergence called Stop The Frack Attack.

A few answers on fracking

The Carrboro Citizen - ‎Jul 26, 2012‎

By Staff By Ellie Kinnaird As legislators, we are sent newsletters, reports and background material on every agency, organization and college. I learn a great deal from this information that helps me to learn about the people of our state.

Fracking protesters to storm national Capitol Saturday

MPNnow.com - ‎Jul 25, 2012‎

By Julie Sherwood, staff writer A first-ever national rally against hydrofracking is scheduled to take place Saturday. The rally on the west lawn of the Capitol in Washington, DC, will be the culmination of a three-day summit according to a release ...

Race for DOE SMR money heats up

Idaho Samizdat - Dan Yurman
http://djysrv.blogspot.com/2012/07/race-for-doe-smr-money-heats-up.html

The race for DOE's $452 million in SMR money heats up in Ohio. B&W inks MOU with First Energy for economic, siting, and licensing studies.

NEI Nuclear NOtes

NEI Nuclear Notes

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-ussouth-korea-commerical-nuclear.html

Westinghouse SVP Dan Lipman talks to the Global America Business Institute about the growing relationship between the two nations in civilian nuclear energy.

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/mo-governor-state-leaders-signal.html

Political leaders in Missouri excited over prospect of DOE grant on small modular reactors.

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/uprates-stymie-search-for-scandal.html

Brad Plumer of the Washington Post tried to find something sinister in nuclear plant uprates, but NEI's Mark Flanagan snuffs him out.

http://neinuclearnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/oecd-and-slowdown-that-wasnt.html

In April 2011, the Worldwatch Institute predicted a rocky future for nuclear energy, but the most recent report from the OECD shows the predicited slowdown never occurred.

Fukushima probes leave questions

Fukushima probes leave questions
The Japan Times
"We concluded that Tepco was too quick to cite the tsunami as the cause of the nuclear accident and to deny that the earthquake caused any damage. We believe there is a possibility the earthquake damaged equipment needed for ensuring safety," the Diet ...

Centrica to consider power prices in building new nuclear reactors

Centrica to consider power prices in building new nuclear reactors

British energy company Centrica and its partner Electricite de France are relying on strike price -- the U.K. government's guaranteed price for nuclear energy producers -- before deciding on constructing a nuclear plant in southwest England. Centrica CEO Sam Laidlaw said the company will consider its investors' opinion on the power prices and make its decision at the end of the year. Bloomberg

Report affirms abundance of uranium resources

Report affirms abundance of uranium resources

The global uranium supply is "more than adequate" to meet current demands and is deemed "sufficient for over 100 years," according to a joint report by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Uranium resources have expanded 12.5% since 2008, with mining production growing more than 25% between 2008 and 2010, the report said. Platts

India touts plutonium prototype-fast-breeder reactor

India touts plutonium prototype-fast-breeder reactor

R.K. Sinha, chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission, announced that because of a shortage of uranium fuel, the AEC's nuclear project will shift to plutonium reactors that are "prototype fast breeder" types. Sinha said local industries developed the reactors, which will be used at the Kalpakkam site in 2014. The Economic Times (India)

Browns Ferry might start using mixed-oxide pellets in 2018

Browns Ferry might start using mixed-oxide pellets in 2018

The Tennessee Valley Authority's Browns Ferry facility in Tennessee might use mixed-oxide pellets beginning in 2018 in an effort to save money while lessening weapons-grade plutonium reserves in the U.S. Among the factors that might affect TVA's decision are an environmental impact analysis being readied by the Department of Energy and comments from the public. The News Courier (Athens, Ala.)

Georgia Power to delay release of spending report on Vogtle project

Georgia Power to delay release of spending report on Vogtle project

Georgia Power removed the project-to-date share of expenditures on the construction of the Unit 3 and 4 reactors at Plant Vogtle in the company's latest monthly report. Spokesman Mark Williams said the company decided to include the updated figures in the Vogtle construction monitor report next month, so as not to conflict with the timing of regulatory filings. Last month, Georgia Power revealed it spent roughly $2.23 billion through May, almost 90% of which went to direct costs. SNL Financial (free content)

Report: Nuclear power is expected to grow through 2035

Report: Nuclear power is expected to grow through 2035

Nuclear energy is still poised for global expansion despite challenges raised by the Fukushima Daiichi incident in Japan last year, according to a report from the United Nations nuclear body and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The crisis in Japan was merely "a speed bump" for the global nuclear industry, said Gary Dyck of the International Atomic Energy Agency. By 2035, the world's nuclear capacity is expected to increase by 44% to 99%, while nuclear capacity in East Asia is expected to grow by 125% to 185%, with China, India, Russia and South Korea posing the strongest growth, the report stated. Reuters

Nuclear Quality Regulations – Time for a new look?

After a conversation with a colleague who is also a qualified lead NQA auditor, Margaret Harding muses about the idea of updating the quality regulations to a more modern approach that acknowledge other industry standards as opposed to the “go it alone” approach that the NRC takes today.

http://www.4factorconsulting.com/energy-industry/nuclear-quality-regulations-%E2%80%93-time-for-a-new-look

"Climate Change and Nuclear Energy: We Need to Talk"

"Climate Change and Nuclear Energy: We Need to Talk"

Nuclear power advocate Suzy Hobbs Baker speaks out on behalf of the threatened biosystems in the earth's acidifying oceans, and the people who are bearing the brunt of intensifying global climate change -- and in favor of the nuclear community emphasizing the essential role of nuclear technologies in reducing greenhouse gas emissions

http://ansnuclearcafe.org/2012/07/25/climate-change-and-nuclear-energy-we-need-to-talk/

Too little wind, too much hot air

Too little wind, too much hot air
Power Engineering Magazine
But nuclear power remains easily the most reputable and safest way to go - it's just that uranium needs to be jettisoned in favour of thorium which, had it been the fuel in use at Fukushima-Daiichi, would have prevented a meltdown whatever was thrown at it.

Boots and Oil: David LeBlanc - Molten Salt Reactor Designs ...

Boots and Oil: David LeBlanc - Molten Salt Reactor Designs ...
David LeBlanc - Molten Salt Reactor Designs, Options & Outlook @ TEAC4. Published on Jul 20, 2012 by gordonmcdowell. A ton of information here. He has a ...
greg-bno.blogspot.com/.../david-leblanc-molten-salt-reactor.ht...

Safety in the Utilization and Modification of Research Reactors - IAEA Safety Standards Series SSG-24

http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/Pub1559_web.pdf ;

http://www-pub.iaea.org/books/IAEABooks/8854/Safety-in-the-Utilization-and-Modification-of-Research-Reactors

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) www-pub.iaea.org

Safety in the Utilization and Modification of Research Reactors IAEA Safety Standards Series SSG-24 Subject Classification: 0604-Research reactors STI/PUB/1559 (ISBN:978-92-0-129110-3) 68 pp.; Language: English Date...

Summary of the EPRI Early Event Analysis of the Fukushima Daiichi Spent Fuel Pools Following the March 11, 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

Direct URL: http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?Abstract_id=000000000001025058

EPRI - Program on Technology Innovation: Tradeoffs Between Once-Through Cooling and Closed-Cycle Cooling for Nuclear Power Plants

Direct URL: http://my.epri.com/portal/server.pt?Abstract_id=000000000001025006

Yucca Mountain news update 7/28

Yucca mountain: Shutdown scatters workers, sparks Nev. debate ...
April Gil had worked at Yucca Mountain for more than 20 years when it closed in 2010, and like many of her colleagues, she had built her career -- and life ...
www.eenews.net/public/Greenwire/2012/07/24/1

The Mole Men of Yucca Mountain on the BBC | Claire Vaye Watkins
Wrote a weird little story about mole men and Yucca Mountain for a series called Future Anatomies on The Strand. You can listen here: www.bbc.co.uk. They're ...
clairevayewatkins.com/the-mole-men-of-yucca-mountain-on-t...

NRC chief will have an "open mind" on Yucca Mountain repository ...
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chairwoman Allison Macfarlane said she's keeping an open mind about the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository project.
www.smartbrief.com/servlet/rdrc?u...4B21...i...

US NRC chief does not plan to recuse herself in advance on Yucca ...
US NRC chief does not plan to recuse herself in advance on Yucca Mountain issues - read this Platts news article and other stories in electric power by clicking ...
www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/.../6492844

Friday, July 27, 2012

ANS Update: Nuclear Matinee Double Feature: What Is Mass? How to Discover a Particle?

Nuclear Matinee Double Feature: What Is Mass? How to Discover a Particle?

By pbowersox on Jul 27, 2012 01:00 am

The probable confirmation of the existence of the Higgs boson, announced on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, marked a great achievement in the history of science. The Higgs field, as proven by the existence of the Higgs boson, is basically the reason that matter has “mass” in our universe. … Continue reading →
Read in browser »

Informed consent: Getting from NIMBY to yes

by Dawn Stover

"Not in my backyard." I don't know whether anyone has actually uttered those words at a hearing or town-hall meeting, but I've heard plenty of energy developers and permit processors speak dismissively of local opponents as NIMBYs. Somehow the pejorative sticks: If you're concerned about noise, stink, ugliness, dirty air and water, diminished property values, endangered wildlife, climate change, or threats to public health and safety, you're a self-interested elitist and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.

NAIIC report’s biggest mistake...

NAIIC report’s biggest mistake...

The Diet’s NAIIC report’s executive summary seems largely spot-on, drawing only a few questionable conclusions (e.g. keeping the earthquake-as-cause notion open). However, one serious mistake cries out to be exposed. Concerning the IC condenser stoppage on unit #1, the report calls Tepco's actions "irrational". The F. Daiichi unit #1staff’s actions and Tepco’s explanations were entirely correct. On the other hand, questioning the actions of the staff and calling Tepco’s explanations irrational is an exercise in ignorance.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

(June 27)

Fukushima updates and commentary

Fukushima updates and commentary. Use the link for the full reports.

Commentary - The Diet’s NAIIC report’s executive summary seems largely spot-on, drawing only a few questionable conclusions (e.g. keeping the earthquake-as-cause notion open). However, one serious mistake cries out to be exposed. Concerning the IC condenser stoppage on unit #1, the report calls Tepco's actions "irrational". The F. Daiichi unit #1staff’s actions and Tepco’s explanations were entirely correct. On the other hand, questioning the actions of the staff and calling Tepco’s explanations irrational is an exercise in ignorance... Former F. Daiichi plant manager Masao Yoshida’s upcoming video will detail his view on the “full abandonment” issue... The science ministry says the intentional withholding of radiation spread during the early days was justified... Full-scale decontamination of Tamura City by the government has begun... The next three nukes proposed to restart (but not this summer) have been announced... The Tokyo government has proposed that Shunichi Tanaka, an expert in radiation physics, be appointed to head the new nuclear regulatory authority... Disaster Minister Goshi Hosono has gone on record as supporting all of former PM kan’s actions during the nuclear crisis.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/fukushima-accident-updates.html

AREVA and Northrop Grumman Announce Plans to Provide Cybersecurity Support to U.S. Nuclear Facilities

McLean VA (SPX) Jul 25, 2012

AREVA Inc. and Northrop Grumman have joined forces to provide cybersecurity protection support for the nuclear industry. The alliance is in response to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's call for commercial nuclear facilities to develop and implement cybersecurity plans. Northrop Grumman's industry-leading cybersecurity capabilities, in concert with AREVA's extensive regulatory experience

Japan probes claim workers' radiation levels faked

Tokyo (AFP) July 24, 2012

Japan's labour minister on Tuesday ordered an investigation into claims that subcontractors at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant told workers to lie about their radiation exposure. Yoko Komiyama told a press briefing in Tokyo that she had launched a wide-ranging probe, including checks on a firm at the centre of allegations which have appeared in Japanese media in recent days

Saudis, Emirates push nuclear power plans

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (UPI) Jul 26, 2012

Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with its ambitious plans to develop nuclear power to meet rising electricity demand and save oil for export. But the outlook for other Arab states is less promising because of political turmoil and a lack of financial resources. The Saudis have built a foreign assets cushion of around $500 billion from oil exports. It has used this immense wealth to

Annual Energy Outlook Report 2012 Released

by Taryn Rucinski

In June, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its most recent report, Annual Energy Outlook 2012 with Projections to 2035. The two hundred and fifty plus page report which is available here (DOE/EIA-0383(2012)), "presents long-term projections of energy supply, demand, and prices through 2035, based on results from EIA’s National Energy Modeling System (NEMS)." The report is broken out into the following sections including an executive summary, legislation and regulations section, issues in focus, and market trends research. This report also contains a series of seven appendices on a variety of topics. Of most interest to environmental researchers is the report's section on legislation and regulations which

discusses evolving legislative and regulatory issues, including a summary of recently enacted legislation and regulations, such as: the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December 2011 [1]; the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) as finalized by the EPA in July 2011 [2]; the new fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles published by the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in September 2011 [3]; and regulations pertaining to the power sector in California Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32), the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 [4].

Prior editions of the report are available from the EIA's archive:

2012

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/pdf/0383%282012%29.pdf

2011

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/archive/aeo11/

2010-1979

http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/archive.html

Global Environmental Outlook (GEO 5) Released

by Taryn Rucinski

In June, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its report, Global Environmental Outlook 5 (GEO 5). The new, five hundred and fifty page report titled, Environment for the Future we Want, available here, is published periodically and is broken out into three parts including: State and Trends of the Environment; Policy Options; and Global Responses.

The main goal of UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook (GEO) is to keep governments and stakeholders informed of the state and trends of the global environment. Over the past 15 years, the GEO reports have examined a wealth of data, information and knowledge about the global environment; identified potential policy responses; and provided an outlook for the future. The assessments, and their consultative and collaborative processes, have worked to bridge the gap between science and policy by turning the best available scientific knowledge into information relevant for decision makers.

Prior editions of the report are available from the GEO website:

GEO 1 (1997), http://www.grida.no/publications/other/geo1/?src=/geo1/.

GEO 2 (2000), http://www.grida.no/publications/other/geo2000/.

GEO 3 (2002), http://www.grida.no/publications/other/geo3/.

GEO 4 (2007), http://www.unep.org/geo/geo4.asp.

GEO 5 (2012), http://www.unep.org/geo/geo5.asp.

China flexes muscles with Cnooc, Nexen deal $15.1 billion deal one of many to greatly impact global oil, natgas

China flexes muscles with Cnooc, Nexen deal

$15.1 billion deal one of many to greatly impact global oil, natgas

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-flexes-muscles-with-cnooc-nexen-deal-2012-07-27

The Unsung Masters of the Oil Industry

from RealClearEnergy - Homepage by The Economist

The Economist
A TECHNIQUE called "directional drilling" has transformed the energy business. Fifteen years ago the best drillers could force a well-shaft into a gentle arc. These days shafts can be drilled vertically to a depth of several kilometres"”then made to turn sharply and continue horizontally for up to 12km (or 7 miles). Will Grace of Schlumberger, an oilfield services company, likens it to dropping a plumb-line from the top of the Empire State Building and then guiding it through the rear and front windscreens of every car parked in the nearby streets.

US NRC Blog Update: NRC Employees and Elections

U.S. NRC Blog

NRC Employees and Elections

by Moderator

As everyone knows, this is an election year and the political season is well underway with candidates for President, Congress, and state legislatures holding rallies, making speeches, and raising money. It’s almost impossible to ignore.

For federal employees, it also presents some dangers. We are bound by rules that are different than for the general public. The restrictions on our political activities are found in the Hatch Act, Office of Personnel Management

regulations, and NRC Management Directive 7.10. They apply to full-time and part-time federal employees, even while on leave.

And the rules come with some stiff consequences. The mandatory penalties for violating the Hatch Act start with a 30-day suspension without pay and can result in termination.

The Hatch Act restrictions only apply to “partisan” elections – elections where candidates run on the labels of national political parties. The vast majority of elections are partisan, including the 2012 election for President, Congress, and state legislatures.

If an election is “nonpartisan,” federal employees are free to participate fully, including running for office or soliciting contributions. Nonpartisan elections are usually for local offices, such as school boards, where none of the candidates are running under political party auspices.

Under the Hatch Act, no NRC employee may receive or solicit contributions or run for office in a “partisan” election (except in designated communities, mainly in the Washington, D.C. area). In addition, no employee can engage in political activity while on duty, in a government office, while wearing a government uniform or insignia, or while using a government vehicle. That prohibition includes using a government computer or e-mail to advocate for or against a partisan political party, a candidate for partisan political office, or a partisan political group, or to make or solicit contributions for a partisan political campaign.

NRC employees cannot even wear a political button or insignia while on duty.

However, NRC and other federal employees are allowed to assist in voter registration drives, contribute money to political organizations and be active in political clubs or parties. And we can put a political bumper sticker on our car even if we park it in a federal building or parking lot.

Members of the career Senior Executive Service (SES) have even more restrictive Hatch Act limitations—they are prohibited from taking any active role in a partisan election.

The intention of the Hatch Act is to keep politics out of the federal government workplace. That keeps all federal employees – including those of us at the NRC – focused on our missions and on our work on behalf of the American public.

John Szabo

Special Counsel

Office of the General Counsel

Video Outlines Small Modular Reactor Program at Savannah River

Video Outlines Small Modular Reactor Program at Savannah River nuclearstreet.com

The latest nuclear news in Nuclear Power Industry about utilities, companies, suppliers in the nuclear energy market.

, to a possible threat to the U.S. shale oil industry

, all of the week's biggest headlines are in the PennEnergy Video News Update.
Full Article

PennEnergy'sWeekly Most Popular Oil & Gas News

This Week's Most Popular Oil & Gas News
• China's CNOOC offers $15.1 billion for Canadian oil firm

• Oil tanker demand continues to fall as Iran makes move into industry

• Eastern Europe set to lead shale gas production in the region

• Falling prices threaten unconventional oil development

• 20 million acre oil and gas lease sale offshore Texas announced

• Number of natural gas exploration rigs declines to 13-year low

• Canadian Senate calls for greater environmental concern from oil industry

• Shell signs new upstream deals with CNOOC and CNPC

• API "Energy Works" campaign a window on oil and gas jobs

• BSEE launches deepwater oil and gas containment exercise

• ABB wins order for a new gas condensate plant in Oman

• B.C. lays down pipeline demands

• Offshore Australia gas find for Chevron

Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire