QUICK NEWS, July 20: DOI GIVES GO TO BIG NEW ENERGY; SILICON, SUN PRICE UP; LEAF EV PRICE HIKE; HOUSE OKS DOE BUDGET

DOI GIVES GO TO BIG NEW ENERGY
Salazar Approves Major Renewable Energy Projects, Identifies Next Step in Solar Energy Development; Projects to generate 1,300 Jobs, 550 MW of clean power; Supplement to Solar PEIS will offer greater clarity for solar development in the West
July 14, 2011 (U.S. Department of the Interior)

"…Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar… announced the approval of four new projects on public lands, the launch of environmental reviews on three others, and the next step in a comprehensive environmental analysis to identify ‘solar energy zones’ on public lands in six western states…

"The renewable energy projects… - two utility-scale solar developments in California, a wind energy project in Oregon, and a transmission line in Southern California - together will create more than 1,300 construction jobs, provide a combined 550 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 185,000 to 380,000 homes, and generate several million dollars annually in local government tax revenues…"

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"…The projects are part of Interior’s “Smart from the Start” approach to processing existing applications for renewable energy development on public lands in a coordinated, focused manner with full environmental analysis and public review…

"…[The projects are] Abengoa Mojave Solar Project…Imperial Solar Energy Center…West Butte Wind Energy Project…Devers-Palo Verde No. 2 Transmission Line Project…"


SILICON, SUN PRICE UP
Due to Increasing Demand in Mainland China, Polysilicon Price Continues to Rise
July 13, 2011 (Energy Trend)

"According to EnergyTrend’s latest survey, polysilicon spot price trend remains going upward. Currently, the main trading price is between $53/kg and $55/kg…

"Manufacturers indicated that the polysilicon spot price has shown a strong increase, primarily due to the rising Chinese market demand…"

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"…[An] electricity shortage occurred in Eastern China, and the industrial sector may be influenced in the future. Therefore, polysilion production output might be limited, which will also stimulate the Chinese market demand…[D]ue to high demand for mono-Si wafer, the average spot price has stayed at above $2.6/piece…

"Furthermore, the main trading price of multi-Si wafer is between $2.0/piece and $2.1/piece…Unless a large number of contingent orders take place, the possibility of price recovery is quite low. Therefore, the price changes may just fluctuate slightly in the short run…"


LEAF EV PRICE HIKE
Nissan raises price of electric Leaf, expands ordering to southeastern states
July 19, 2011 (AP via Washington Post)

"Nissan Motor Co. will more than double the number of states where it offers its Leaf electric car by this fall. But buyers will have to pay more to get it.

"The base price of the 2012 model-year Leaf will be $35,200, up nearly $2,500 from the 2011 model year. Drivers can also lease the Leaf for $369 per month, up $20…The 2012 Leaf goes on sale this fall. Buyers will still be eligible for a $7,500 tax credit, which will lower the starting price to $27,700…"

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"…[T]he price is going up because Nissan is adding some standard features, including a battery warmer, heated steering wheel and front and rear heated seats. Until now, Nissan has only sold the car in six warm states, including California and Hawaii, but it plans to start selling the Leaf in New York and other colder states this fall…

"The company also will include a fast-charging port if customers opt for the SL trim level, which starts at $37,250. The port as a 480-volt outlet that charges the car in 30 minutes, compared to eight hours using a 220-volt outlet. The fast-charging port is a $700 option on the 2011 Leaf…Nissan has sold 4,200 Leafs since the car went on sale last year…"


HOUSE OKS DOE BUDGET
House approves 2012 Department of Energy funding bill
Pete Kasperowicz, July 15, 2011 (The Hill)

"The House… narrowly approved a 2012 appropriations bill [H.R. 2354] funding the Department of Energy and related agencies…by a 219-196 vote. All but 21 Republicans voted for the bill, along with just 10 Democrats…The bill provides $30.6 billion for DOE and other related agencies, about $1 billion less than FY 2011 funding levels.

"As has been the case with other spending bills, the energy and water bill survived several attempts by efforts by Democrats to increase funding for various energy projects, but also survived Republican attempts to cut spending further…"

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"Over the several days of considering the bill, members did approve amendments that block funding for energy efficiency research in China, increase solar energy R&D funding by $10 million and prohibit salaries for recess-appointed officials at the department until they are confirmed by the Senate.

"Members also approved language defunding a 2007 law that sets light bulb standards, which Republicans have attacked as a government overreach…Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) noted that the bill requires the sale of $500 million worth of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and that funds from this sale go into the general treasury…[and] called this a "scandal," but House Republicans did not allow any amendments to be considered striking this language…"