Gas 2.0 -- I know we have a lot of readers from Southern California. Sure the weather is great, and the people are generally friendly, but for me it is just too crowded and congested to ever call home. Plus, for such a progressive place, there is a surprising lack of good public transportation. Then again, California has been making big strides towards electric and hybrid vehicles, whether en masse or one municipality at a time. Give credit where credit is due, I always say.

Much credit is due the Foothill Transit authority, which serves Pomona and San Gabriel. They have, at great expense, purchased two all-electric buses and charging stations from Proterra, an electric vehicle startup.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; electric vehicles make the most sense for cities. Most of these vehicle  (read more)

GasBuddy Blog -- 2pm UPDATE: Louisiana Gov: A sheen has been reported, but Mariner energy reports all 7 wells are shut in permanently- something that hasn't been confirmed. They believe that storage of oil on board was burning. Mariner says the fire is nearly burned out and contained. STAY TUNED.

Breaking news this noon from the Gulf of Mexico off the Louisiana Coast. The best news- all workers are accounted for.

More from CNN:

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Colclough tells CNN that 12 people from the rig are in the water immersion suits as they await rescue.

Colclough told CNN there are reports the rig is still on fire.

"We don't know what caused the rig to catch on fire," he told CNN, noting the...  (read more)

Bloomberg -- Crude oil is set for a drop to near $60 a barrel, extending a descent started in May, according to a technical analysis by independent analyst Jim Stellakis.

“Last month’s breakdown in crude oil is continuing the longer-term bearish pattern which was started by the May decline,” Stellakis said. The bear flag pattern is signaled after a break occurs below a rising trading range.

Crude oil for October delivery fell 27 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $73.64 a barrel at 10:07 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices for October dropped 9.4 percent in August, pushing futures below the support level. The contract lost $14.05, or 15 percent, in May.

The price target, expected over the next couple months, was derived by taking the length of the initial decline in May and projecting it lower f  (read more)

USA Today -- Ford Motor, unique among car companies, has been cautioning would-be plug-in car owners that such machines will be a major power drain when hooked up at home for recharging.

Ford remains a backer of plug-in hybrids and electrics, with plans to have five on the market in the U.S. and Europe by 2013, but doesn't want folks to forget that the electric vehicles will have a serious appetite for kilowatts when you hook up the charging cord.

Recharging a battery car or plug-in hybrid "is like running a small house," says Jim Buczkowski, Ford's global director of electrical and electronics. "It's fine if your neighbor isn't doing it, too. If you have a whole neighborhood (recharging), the transformer on the pole isn't going to take it," he says.  (read more)

Daily Finance -- Just when many families have opted for "staycations" instead of traveling for the Labor Day weekend because of the lousy economy, they're finally catching a break on gasoline prices. Fuel is at its second-lowest level in five years, and some economists predict that it could drop much further in the months ahead.

The U.S. Energy Department said Wednesday that the average price of gas in the country was $2.68 a gallon, the least of this summer driving season. Only last year's $2.59 a gallon was lower in the last five years, the department said.

 (read more)

The Register -- Swiss boffins have mounted an investigation into the largely unknown environmental burdens of electric cars using lithium-ion batteries, and say that the manufacturing and disposal of batteries presents no insurmountable barriers to electric motoring. However, their analysis reveals that modern diesel cars are actually better for the environment than battery ones.  (read more)

GasBuddy Blog -- The Department of Energy released its weekly report on the condition of petroleum inventories in the United States today.

Here are some highlights:

Crude oil inventories increased by 4.1 million barrels to a total of 361.7 million barrels. At 361.7 million barrels, inventories are 18.3 million barrels above last year (5.3%) and remain above average. Supply at NYMEX delivery point, Cushing, Oklahoma decreased some 600,000 barrels to 36.3 million barrels this week. Supplies at Cushing have decreased for the last four consecutive weeks but remain at good levels.

Gasoline inventories decreased 0.2 million barrels to 225.4 million barrels. At 225.4 million barrels, inventories are now 20.3 million barrels, or 9.9...  (read more)

The Kids Science Zone -- Like most technologies, work on solar devices has proceeded in generational waves. First came bulk silicon-based solar cells built with techniques that borrowed heavily from those used to make computer chips. Next came work on thin films of materials specifically tailored to harvest the sun's energy, but still more or less borrowed from the realm of microelectronics manufacturing. Then came the third generation, described by one researcher and blogger as "the wild west," which among other objectives aims to build inexpensive next-generation solar cells by relying on decidedly low-tech wet chemistry.
 (read more)

CNN Monney -- By Chris Isidore, CNNMoney.comSeptember 1, 2010:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The nation's top automakers reported disappointing sales Wednesday, resulting in the worst August for industrywide auto sales in 27 years.

According to sales tracker Autodata, U.S. new vehicle sales fell just short of 1 million vehicles, a drop of 21% from a year ago, which included Cash for Clunkers. That federal program created a sugar rush of sales by dangling an incentive of up to $4,500 in cash for buyers who traded in older gas guzzlers for more efficient models.

Industry sales also fell 5% from July levels. August sales typically outpace July, as deals become available on older models ahead of the fall introduction of new model year cars. August sales would equate to an annual sales pace of about 11  (read more)

NY Times -- The United Services Automobile Association, the financial services company that caters to the military, is arming customers with a new secret weapon when they shop for their next car.

That weapon is a car-buying service for USAA members that offers detailed price information and even shops around for the car. USAA says customers will average about a $4,500 in savings from the sticker price on new vehicles. The service, which is also available as an iPhone app, guarantees that the price will be the lowest and offers to pay the difference if a buyer finds the car at a lower price within three days of purchase.  (read more)

plugincars.com -- We are quickly approaching the launch dates of the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt—the first two globally-distributed and mass-market plug-in cars the world has ever seen. As the public's attention shifts to the battery-powered drive-train and its perceived shortcomings, the question of how long it will take to charge the battery has rightly taken center stage.

To this point, much of the conversation regarding plug-in car charging times has revolved around what kind of charging station you use. In the US, as many of us know, there are essentially three types of charging:

1. A standard 3-prong household outlet, also known as "Level 1 charging"
2. A specialized home charging station, also known as "Level 2 charging"
3. A commercial quick charging station, known alternately as both  (read more)

GasBuddy Blog -- With massive Hurricane Earl heading towards the Carolinas, motorists should be aware that while any increase in prices shouldn't be shocking, prices may increase.

I'll be keeping a close eye on how close Earl gets to massive refinery operations in East PA, New York, and New Jersey. Currently, Earl is a strong hurricane packing peak winds of 135mph, enough to disrupt power at refineries and other oil factilies responsible for getting products to pumps in those areas.

The further east Earl moves, the better. Currently it appears that the storm will only brush the concerned areas, but of course weather forecasts are subject to change.

Keep a close eye on the storm and prepare to fill your vehicles before the storm...  (read more)

Boston Globe -- There is good news at the gas pumps as Americans get ready to fill the tanks of their cars, RVs, and boats for the Labor Day weekend.

The national average price for gasoline has been falling steadily this month, reaching about $2.68 for a gallon of unleaded yesterday, according to AAA and others. That’s about 6 cents a gallon less than a month ago and 7 cents less than it was on the Friday before the July Fourth weekend.

In its weekly report, the US Energy Information Administration said the national average for a gallon of unleaded was $2.68, down about 2 cents from a week ago.

Prices in major cities ranged from $2.62 a gallon in Denver to $3.08 in Los Angeles and $3.12 in San Francisco.

Most analysts believe retail prices will continue to retreat in September.  (read more)

inhabitat.com -- By Timon Singh

Clean energy company Acta has unveiled plans to install a network of solar-powered hydrogen fueling stations throughout Italy. The new fuel pumps will harness solar energy to produce hydrogen fuel from water through electrolysis.

"...they offer an alternative to the standard gas-guzzling automobile."

Hydrogen technology has certain advantages over batteries — it doesn’t necessitate emission-creating production lines and it doesn’t require long recharge times. The tech has proved that it can work in conjunction with batteries and that it can also become a fully-fledged alternative fuel.

"...completed more than 170 installations during 2009,...paving the way for a more sustainable fueling network."

 (read more)

Bankrate.com -- Driving a car that has been in a car recall without getting the problem fixed can result in serious safety issues as well as lead to unnecessary costs. There were 1.4 million cars for sale with unfixed problems from car recalls last year, according to a new study by CarFax, the vehicle history information provider.

The vast majority of car recalls are considered safety issues and while they range from minor to very serious, all can result in unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses.  (read more)

CNN -- U.S. gasoline prices have decreased a little more than 7 cents per gallon in the past two weeks, and lower demand in September is expected to keep prices steady, according to a new nationwide survey.

The latest Lundberg Survey, conducted on August 27, found the average price of self-serve regular at $2.70 per gallon -- down 7.54 cents since the last survey, conducted two weeks before.

Survey publisher Trilby Lundberg said gas prices were catching up to a decrease in crude prices.

"Absent any upset in the price of crude, (gasoline) prices should see little change or even a small drop," Lundberg told CNN.

There is a plentiful supply of gas, and September marks the beginning of a traditional period of lower gas consumption that should keep prices steady,  (read more)

IndustryWeek -- Toyota Motor Corp. said Aug. 23 it will continue hiring for positions at its Blue Springs, Miss., plant after delaying its plan to start production at the facility amid weak market conditions.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc. (TMMMS) is hiring for hourly production and skilled maintenance positions through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security and the Workforce Investment Network Job Centers.

Toyota plans to eventually hire 2,000 employees at the plant.

Individuals interested in employment opportunities at Toyota's Blue Springs plant may apply online at www.mdes.ms.gov.
 (read more)

Flixxy.com -- In an efficient and safe effort to save us from the ill-effects of plastic waste, Akinori Ito has developed a machine which converts plastic back into oil..
watch the video.....  (read more)

Reuters -- (Reuters) - Biofuel demand is driving a new "land grab" in Africa, with at least 5 million hectares (19,300 sq miles) acquired by foreign firms to grow crops in 11 countries, a study by an environmental group said on Monday.

The contracts by European and Asian companies for land to grow sugar cane, jatropha and palm oil to be turned into fuel will involve clearing forests and vegetation, taking land that could be used for food and creating conflicts with local communities, Friends of the Earth said in the study.

Proponents of biofuels argue they are renewable and can help fight climate change because the growing plants ingest as much carbon dioxide from the air as the fuels made from them emit when burned.

Critics say there is a risk of the crops infringing on land that could be u  (read more)

CNN -- An historic journey is happening now...and no surprise, it's to feed China's appetite for energy.

The SCF Baltica is a large tanker that has just made it safely through the Arctic Circle to deliver 70,000 tons of gas condensate (a natural gas extract) from Russia to China. This is the first time a tanker of this size has been able to make the journey through the Northern Sea Route. It's now headed for its final port destination just south of Shanghai.

There are two interesting angles to this story:

1) This route through the Arctic cuts down the distance traveled by almost a half. The route from Murmansk, Russia to Ningbo, China covers 7,000 nautical miles. This is down from the 12,000 nautical miles it takes on the traditional route through the Suez Canal.

Sergey Frank, CEO o  (read more)

Financial Times -- By Gregory Meyer in New York , Financial Times, 26 Aug 2010

Los Angeles traffic: Americans are driving less

Evidence of a slowdown in the US economy is turning up in oil markets as demand stagnates in the world's most voracious petroleum consuming nation.

US petroleum stockpiles are at their highest levels since the early 1980s, the energy department revealed this week, and the rapid rebound in demand from the recessionary lows of a year ago has begun to decelerate.

Americans are consuming less oil than they did in 2008 – or most of the previous decade, for that matter.

Demand for petrol, crucial to a car-dependent US, has gained a meagre 0.5 per cent year to date, according to energy department data.

US refiners are, meanwhile, exporting hundreds of thousands of barrels of ...  (read more)

Clean Technica -- "...This new form appears to be a kind of “scavenger” that harvests part of the light spectrum that other forms of chlorophyll don’t absorb.

The discovery is significant because it could help push forward the development of new strains of algae that can use a larger part of the light spectrum to produce biofuel oils, which in turn would help to make renewable biofuel production cheaper and more competitive with fossil fuels....

there is still some homework to be done before a definitive connection can be made, but the future looks promising for applying the mechanisms of photosynthesis not only to improve the efficiency of biofuel production. The implications for renewable energy also go beyond biofuels.... '  (read more)

USA TODAY -- PHOENIX (AP) — A surprise downpour sparked collisions involving 69 vehicles on an interstate near Phoenix's downtown area Saturday evening, closing the westbound roadway for hours and sending seven people to hospitals.
The crashes — described by authorities as the most in a single Phoenix area in recent memory — began about 6:30 p.m. with many drivers going too fast or not leaving enough distance between cars for the slippery conditions, Department of Public Safety spokesman Bob Bailey said.

"The storm hit hard, hit fast, and caught a lot of drivers by surprise," he said. "The collisions began in the far right side of the roadway near the 7th Street exit ramp and this thing kind of perpetuated itself, enveloping the whole roadway."

None of the injuries was life threatening and most  (read more)

Yahoo News -- This could literally be called pee power to the people-researchers have figured out a way to make the world's first urine-powered fuel cells.
 (read more)

http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_15917969 -- As the final days of the 2010 legislative session wind down in Sacramento, a Silicon Valley lawmaker is pushing to give California the most far-reaching mandate for renewable energy in the United States.
.
.
.
The showdown over Simitian's bill, SB 722, could come to a vote early next week. The bill would require California's utilities to produce 33 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
.
.
.
Three years ago, Simitian wrote a law, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, that required a 20 percent renewable electricity standard by Dec. 31, 2010. That target is close to being met. The state's utilities are on pace to hit 18 percent this year and 21 percent by the end of next year.

But getting to 33 percent is a much steeper climb.  (read more)