U.S. nuclear agency plans safety review of reactors

The top U.S. nuclear regulator on Wednesday approved the launch of a safety review of U.S. nuclear reactors sought by President Barack Obama in response to the ongoing crisis at Japan’s Fukushima plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted to create an agency task force made up of current and former commission experts that will review the information... 

Obama’s Visit to Brazil Yields ‘Encouraging’ Renewable Fuels Cooperation, According to Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association

Two important announcements involving renewable energy made on the opening day of U.S. President Barack Obama’s official visit to Brazil, both directly relevant to Brazil’s successful sugarcane ethanol industry, are encouraging signs that Brazil and the U.S. are on a path to achieve free, unobstructed trade for clean, renewable biofuels.... 

BP workers could have prevented rig accident: commission

BP had workers on the doomed Deepwater Horizon rig who could have prevented the missteps that led to the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill, but they were not consulted, the White House oil spill commission said on Thursday. In an expanded report on the causes of the BP drilling disaster that killed 11 workers and ravaged the U.S. Gulf coast last summer,... 

Spill panel calls for offshore drilling reform

Blaming the massive BP oil spill on government and industry complacency, a White House panel on Tuesday called for a dramatic overhaul of the way the U.S. regulates offshore drilling. The White House oil spill commission, in its final report of the BP drilling disaster, said the U.S. government needs to expand its drilling regulations, as well as set... 

Suntech and Standard Solar Reach 5 Megawatt Solar Panel Supply Agreement

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of photovoltaic (PV) modules, and Standard Solar, Inc. are looking forward to powering cleaner energy solutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S. under a new agreement by which Suntech will supply up to 5 megawatts of photovoltaic solar panels to the Maryland-based solar developer... 

Obama Administration Pushes Accelerator for Renewable Fuels

The inauguration of Barack Obama as the new President of the United States yesterday has combined with Canadian efforts to spark a North American explosion in the growth of renewable fuels, says Gordon Quaiattini, President of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA). “When President-elect Obama took the oath of office, a new North American... 

Obama Stimulus Package to Include $25 Billion for Renewable Energy

Congressional leaders together with Barack Obama’s new Cabinet are planning a $25 Billion stimulus package in order to meet the President-elect’s goal of doubling renewable energy production in the next three years, according to a report in Sunday’s Washington Post. President-elect Obama’s Cabinet favors an $8.6 billion extension... 

Carbon Sciences Draws Interest From Oil Refineries at Istanbul CO2 Conference

Carbon Sciences Inc., the developer of a breakthrough technology to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into gasoline and other fuels, announced that representatives of oil refineries expressed a high level of interest in the company’s technology at the ACI Downstream CO2 & Energy Efficiency Forum held December 3-5 in Istanbul, Turkey. Derek... 

Shaw Chairman Urges National Commitment to Build Nuclear Power Plants

The Shaw Group Inc. Chairman J.M. Bernhard Jr. called for a national commitment to build up to 50 nuclear power plants by 2030, telling a gathering of power industry leaders that the jobs, clean electricity and energy independence created by a “nuclear renaissance” offer a unique platform to achieve the “hope and change” pledged by President-elect... 

Green Energy Resources Commences Shipment of 20,000 Tons of Hurricane Ike Wood to Twin Oaks, Texas Power Plant

Green Energy Resources Inc. commenced shipping 20,000 tons of Hurricane Ike wood to Sempra Energy’s Twin Oaks power plant located near Waco, Texas. The 170 megawatt power plant is temporarily switching from coal to wood biomass to be “greener”, according to the announcement on the power plant’s website. Green Energy Resources...