Elizabeth Halterman

January 22, 2011

International Company Seeks to Build Renewable Energy Plant in Washington

An unnamed international company is seeking to purchase land in Hanford, Washington for the purpose of building a renewable energy manufacturing plant. The land is part of a nuclear reservation, and has been approved for industrial use in a 1999 land use plan. The Tri-City Development Council is considering the request, but is wary at this time.

Source:

Annette Cary, Renewable Energy Company Eyes Hanford Land, Tri-City Herald, Jan. 14, 2011, http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2011/01/14/1326422/renewable-energy-company-interested.html.

China and Saskatchewan Have Begun Talks for a "Significant" Energy Deal

Richard Choi, the managing director of Saskatchewan's trade and investment representative office in Shanghai, claims that this "significant" energy deal could be reached as early as May. The China National Petroleum Corporation and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources are in agreement to further collaboration in energy exploration technology. This deal follows an agreement made last year for China to invest in Canadian oil sands and uranium.

Source:

Associated Press, China, Sasketchewan Hammer Out 'Significant' Energy Deal, E&E News: Greenwire, January 19, 2011, http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/2011/01/19/15/.

Numerous Oil Spills in West Africa Are a Cause for Concern

Watchdog groups suggest that the abundance of oil spills in countries such as Nigeria is due to ineffective regulations, lack of response, and corruption. Illegal diversion of oil pipelines for individual use is a common problem. The Dutch Parliament intends to look into the continued spills in the Niger Delta, under the control of Royal Dutch Shell PLC.

Source:

Benoit Faucon, Oil Hearing to Cast Spotlight on West Africa, Wall St. J., Jan. 19, 2011, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703730704576065823774382768.html.

General Electric to Announce $2.1 Billion Deals with China

The rail, aviation, and energy deals between GE and China are set to be announced during President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States this week. GE has already announced a $350 million deal for high-speed rail technology. GE's sales in China are rising at approximately twenty percent each year, and the company's goal is to be one of the top five American exporters to China.

Source:

Rachel Layne, GE Plans to Announce Projects in China Yielding $2.1 Billion in Revenue, Bloomberg, Jan. 18, 2011, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-18/ge-to-announce-projects-in-china-yielding-2-1-billion-in-revenue.html.

BP Scores First Permits for Offshore Oil Exploration in Australia

BP has been granted four permits to begin drilling off the South Australia coast, but the Australian government has cautioned the company to enact higher safety standards than those applied in the Gulf of Mexico. BP will be allowed to drill to depths of more than 15,000 feet.

Source:

Associated Press, BP Wins First Australian Oil Exploration Permits, Guardian, Jan. 17, 2011, http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jan/17/bp-wins-australian-oil-exploration-permits.