MORE NEWS, 1-4: A GREENER 2010; GREEK UTILITY WANTS NEW ENERGY; NEW ENERGY FOR CALIF; BUY CHINA WIND ON NASDAQ

A GREENER 2010
Five reasons why 2010 will be greener
Pierre Briancon (w/Edward Hadas and Erica Billingham), 30 December 2009 (Reuters)

"Economics, rather than politics, will be the main driver of the fight against global warming in 2010…In 2009, the global recession had a greater impact than all the diplomatic efforts that ended in the Copenhagen flop: energy production hadn't declined on such a scale since 1981…[F]ive economic reasons for the world to become slightly greener in [2010]…

"…[1] high oil prices. Pricier crude encourages investments in alternative energy sources. Crude oil has been trading in…[the] reassuringly expensive - range of $64 to $80 a barrel since June…[and] is not likely to fall…Demand growth in big emerging nations like China and India…Downward pressure on the dollar [and]…OPEC [leveraging]…[are] likely to [keep oil prices] high enough to keep alternative energy resources profitable…[2] the low price of natural gas. Cheap gas encourages utilities to build more gas-fired power plants, which are cleaner than coal-powered ones. The current gas supply glut is not likely to go away soon…[A] Russia-Ukraine row, or a colder than usual winter, probably would not…boost world prices…Unconventional gas production is expected to rise in the United States…[forcing Middle East supplies] to Asia and Europe…[strengthening] the hand of European buyers…[against] Russia."

The economics favor New Energy (click to enlarge)

"…[3] more research on, and subsidies for, clean energy…[It might be] wishful thinking, or reasoned optimism…[but] the United Nations-style approach to global warming [might be] doomed to failure. A focus on domestic priorities would lead to more determined public efforts to encourage research in lower-carbon sources of energy, lowering their costs and making them more competitive…[4] a [potential] carbon tax on imports, which the European Union is currently debating, might help concentrate Chinese minds. The World Trade Organization has hinted such a levy would not necessarily run counter to its rules. To forestall this sort of virtuous tariff, China might come forward with serious proposals to curb its own carbon emissions.

"…[5] carbon prices should rise again…[T]hey took a hit after the failure of the Copenhagen conference…But steps being taken in several major countries [the U.S. cap&trade bill, the threat of EPA action on emissions, the UK energy efficiency program, the French carbon tax] will ultimately help make carbon more expensive on the exchanges where emission rights are traded…"

click to enlarge

"…[T]hese trends could make for a greener [2010, but] worrying signals are accumulating for the longer term…[T]he world is on path for a temperature rise of up to 6 degrees Celsius, far above the stated international goal of limiting the rise to 2 degrees Celsius. Growth will resume, pushing energy demand 40 percent higher in 2030 than in 2007, with non-industrialised counties accounting for 90 percent of that…Demand for coal - driven by emerging countries' growing needs - will rise faster than for other energy sources…

"…[And] the financial crisis has depressed energy investment…[B]y 2030 the world could face the absurd situation of having to cope both with global warming and energy shortages. Green will only prevail if the world's major powers take the Copenhagen dud as a call to arms."


GREEK UTILITY WANTS NEW ENERGY
Greek PPC to play key role in renewables- new CEO
Harry Papachristou and Angeliki Koutantou (w/Rupert Winchester), December 10, 2009 (Reuters)

"Greece's biggest utility, Public Power Corp. aims to play a leading role in renewable energy, its chief designate said…

"Arthouros Zervos told a parliamentary hearing that lignite would remain PPC's main fuel over the next few years, but he would seek to accelerate the firm's shift to cleaner energy, as the utility would have to pay 1.3 billion euros ($1.91 billion) in carbon emission costs in 2013."

Greece has begun building wind. (click to enlarge)

"He also said his top priority would be to revise the firm's business plan, replacing 1,600 megawatts of cancelled anthracite plants with renewable energy sources…"

And some new solar power plants may imporve this grade. (click to enlarge

"The plan would also include tendering two new lignite-powered plants as soon as possible to replace older, more polluting plants…"

But it must do something about its standing here. (click to enlarge)

"Greece relies on lignite, a polluting form of coal, to cover the bulk of its energy needs and the new government is taking measures to boost renewables in the country, which has plenty of potential solar and wind energy.

"…Greece's Energy Minister Tina Birbili [recently] said she would soon submit a law slashing red tape to unblock hundreds of stranded renewable energy projects in the country."


NEW ENERGY FOR CALIF
Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces 244 Proposed Renewable Energy Projects Throughout State
Cindy Holden, 30 December 2009 (California Newswire)

"Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger…announced the first comprehensive list of 244 proposed renewable energy projects that could produce up to almost 70,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy annually, building on California’s aggressive renewable energy goals. These proposed projects throughout the state include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and small hydro facilities and will help move California towards achieving the Governor’s renewable energy goal of 33 percent by 2020. Currently California facilities produce just over 8,000 MW of renewable energy annually…

"In October, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to expedite the permitting process for renewable energy projects in California and appointed a special advisor to oversee the fast-tracking of the permitting process for renewable energy facilities…California was the first state to sign [such] an MOU…to cooperatively develop long-term renewable energy plans and to usher eligible projects through state and federal permitting processes that can receive 30 percent federal tax credits under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (Recovery Act)."

More and more New Energy (click to enlarge)

"Of the 244 proposed projects, up to 53 have indicated they will apply for Recovery Act funds and will break ground by the end of 2010. For those proposed projects looking for federal stimulus support, 22 could generate power at utility-sized levels of larger than 200 MW, totaling more than 9,000 MW. Many of the proposed projects are currently moving through a state, federal or local permitting process…

"Governor Schwarzenegger established California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by executive order calling for 33 percent renewable energy by 2020. The California Air Resources Board will adopt regulations to increase California’s RPS and provide clear and permanent direction for the creation, delivery and servicing of California’s renewable energy projects, which will help avoid another energy crisis while increasing the state’s renewable energy use."

energy costs go down, employment goes up (click to enlarge)

"In November 2008, the Governor signed Executive Order S-14-08 (EO) to streamline California’s renewable energy permitting process and increase the state’s renewable energy goals. Following this EO, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the California Department of Fish and Game formed a cooperative relationship with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, called the Renewable Energy Action Team (REAT). This was a first-of-its-kind agreement…[and the REAT agencies are working closely with the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Independent System Operator to further coordinate and streamline renewable energy development and permitting…to help meet the Recovery Act [2010 start] deadline…

"…[The REAT] agencies are [also] working together on a long-term conservation strategy for the Colorado and Mojave Deserts…[with a plan] scheduled to be completed in 2012…[for] a long-term road map to development and conservation in the California desert…A list of the 244 proposed projects that are currently in review or have been approved is available [here but subject to change]..."


BUY CHINA WIND ON NASDAQ
China Wind Systems, Inc. Approved to List on NASDAQ
December 28, 2009 (PR Newswire)

"China Wind Systems, Inc….a leading supplier of forged products and industrial equipment to the wind power and other industries in China…has received approval to list its common stock on The NASDAQ Stock Market.

"China Wind Systems [began] trading on The NASDAQ Global Market under the new stock symbol "CWS" on Tuesday, December 29, 2009…"

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[Jianhua Wu, Chairman/CEO, China Wind Systems, Inc.:] "We are honored to be approved to list on The NASDAQ Global Market, one of the world's most prestigious stock markets…We believe this upgrade to be a clear reflection of our commitment to optimizing our corporate governance and shareholder value. As a result, we anticipate that our Company will attain higher visibility and interest from the investor and media communities."

"…China Wind Systems supplies forged rolled rings to the wind power and other industries and industrial equipment to the textile and energy industries in China. With its newly finished state-of-the-art production facility, the Company is expected soon to significantly increase its [output]…"