Category Archives: energy

SunCoke Energy Fixes Clean Air Violations in Illinois, Ohio

Posted on 30 June 2013 by Ken Zino

The main violations alleged relate to excessive bypass venting of hot coking gases directly to the atmosphere, resulting in excess SO2 and particulate matter emissions from the facilities’ waste heat and main stacks, in violation of applicable permit limits. Coke oven emissions are a known human carcinogen. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, news | Leave a comment

U.S. Sues ExxonMobil over Pegasus Pipeline Oil Spill

Posted on 13 June 2013 by Ken Zino

The complaint covers ExxonMobil’s unlawful discharge of heavy crude oil from a 20-inch-diameter interstate pipeline – the Pegasus Pipeline – that ruptured in Mayflower, Arkansas on 29 March 2013. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, litigation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dominion Energy Deal Cuts Emissions at Coal Powered Plants

Posted on 5 April 2013 by Ken Zino

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that Dominion Energy has agreed to pay a $3.4 million civil penalty and spend approximately $9.8 million on environmental mitigation projects to resolve Clean Air Act (CAA) violations. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bosch to End Solar Business as Competitiveness is ‘Unattainable’

Posted on 22 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Bosch said today that it would end its solar business operations, including the making of ingots, wafers, cells, and modules at the beginning of 2014. More than 3,000 employees are affected. The German conglomerate, which is the biggest auto parts supplier in the word, said that individual business units would be sold, if possible Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, energy, milestones, news | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Scientists Urge Strong Government Policies to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Develop Alternative Fuels. Caveats Abound

Posted on 21 March 2013 by Ken Zino

The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Not surprisingly, it also calls for “strong government policies to overcome high costs and influence consumer choices.” Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

President Obama Calls for $2 Billion Energy Security Trust Using Fossil Fuel Development Taxes to Wean U.S. from Oil and Gas

Posted on 20 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Leaving aside the controversy over President George W. Bush’s plan to do so under the flawed Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which mandates ethanol that apparently is now adding $1 per gallon to the price of gasoline, the question remains is this just Washington politics from an Administration whose approval rating is dropping or sound national policy? Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, electric vehicles, energy, news, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Peugeot-Citroen Hybrid Air Most Significant Intro at Geneva?

Posted on 8 March 2013 by Ken Zino

Struggling PSA Peugeot Citroën showed a light duty version of so-called hybrid-air technology that will be in production by 2016 using the group’s new EMP2 platform that will make its debut on the new Citroen Picasso. It potentially a breakthrough that will help PSA sell more cars globally, reviving its sagging reputation in the process. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, concept, energy, engineering, new vehicle, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shape Memory Alloy Replaces Electric Motor On C7 Corvette

Posted on 15 February 2013 by Ken Zino

While much of the news about weight savings on the revised 2014 Corvette coming this fall has concentrated on the aluminum chassis that saves 99 pounds when compared to its steel predecessor, GM is also using a heat-activated shape memory alloy that replaces a heavier motorized part. The electric wire will be used in place of a heavier motorized actuator to open a the hatch vent that releases air from the trunk to allow for easier closing by releasing trapped air through the opening. When the hatch is closed, the vent closes. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, milestones, new vehicle | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transocean Pleads Guilty of Environmental Crimes in Gulf Oil Spill. $400 Million in Penalties for its Role in Deepwater Horizon Disaster

Posted on 14 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Transocean Deepwater pleaded guilty today to a violation of the Clean Water Act for its illegal conduct leading to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The drilling company was sentenced to pay $400 million in criminal fines and penalties, Attorney General Holder announced today. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, fools 'n frauds, litigation, news | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

More Spills in Gulf of Mexico as U.S. Files Suit against ATP Oil

Posted on 11 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Today the United States filed suit against ATP Oil & Gas Corporation and ATP Infrastructure Partners for civil penalties and injunctive relief under the Clean Water Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. The complaint alleges unlawful discharges of oil and banned chemical dispersants from the defendants’ floating oil and gas production platform, the ATP Innovator, into the Gulf of Mexico. The drilling rig is operating 45 nautical miles offshore of southeastern Louisiana. Continue reading →

Posted in energy, fools 'n frauds, litigation, news | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Energy Secretary Steven Chu Resigns after a Distinguished Four Years

Posted on 7 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The Department of Energy, oft mocked by right wing Republicans, in Chu’s mind actually serves U.S. taxpayers as a Department of Science, a Department of Innovation, and a Department of Nuclear Security. Continue reading →

Posted in AutoInformed Editorial, energy, manufacturing, news analysis, people | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Volkswagen Now Operating Largest Solar Power “Park” in Tennessee

Posted on 23 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Volkswagen today turned on the largest single solar installation at an automotive manufacturing facility in the United States and the biggest solar installation in the state of Tennessee. At a dedication in Chattanooga, a giant light switch was used to note the opening of the 9.5-megawatt solar system. All of the output will be used by VW to make cars. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy, manufacturing, news | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Honda Environmental Report Shows CO2 Cuts, Fuel Economy Gains

Posted on 22 December 2012 by Ken Zino

The eighth annual Honda environmental report just released for the North American regions show that the Japanese automaker reduced on average its output of CO2 with corresponding increases in fuel economy. During the 2012 fiscal year that ended last March the CO2-adjusted fleet-average fuel economy of Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in model year 2011 rose 0.8 mpg, or 3.2%, to 25.7 mpg, compared to the previous model year. Continue reading →

Posted in auto news, energy, environment, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Japanese, South Korean Automakers to offer Fuel Cell EVs by 2015

Posted on 12 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Japanese and South Korean automakers are optimistic about commercializing fuel cell electric vehicles by 2015, according to a new study. Mercedes-Benz is also known to be pursuing the advanced technology that in theory is emission free with demonstration units due in 2014. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, auto news, energy | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Food Fight over Ethanol as Special Interest Groups Trade Charges

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Two special interest groups are sparing in public over the cost implications of a long-standing federal energy policy that mandates the use of ethanol and ever increasing amounts of bio-fuels in an attempt to free the United States from importing oil sold by terrorist supporting nations. In 2012 about 9% of all transportation fuel used will be from so-called renewable sources. Continue reading →

Posted in alternative fuels, AutoInformed Editorial, energy, environment, global warming, news, news analysis, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment