Reconstructing an oil deposit consumed by fire in the north Siberia's Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area will cost $48 million.  Despite the huge blaze, pipeline operator Transneft says that regional oil supplies are secure.  The conflagration was blamed on a lightning strike.  Further details on the Russia-Mongolia uranium deal, which apparently settled a $150 million debt owed to Moscow, are to be on Reuters.  The Dornad deposit at the center of the deal supposedly holds seven times as much uranium as Russia mined last year.  Taftnet has struck oil in Libya's Ghadames Basin.  RusHydro is hoping to raise electricity rates over what is permitted by the government in order to rebuild its Siberian power plant.  TNK-BP is hoping to recover $204 million from the Federal Customs Service for overpaid customs duties.  Pipeline maker Transneft may sell $1.12 ...

Ford Motor (F) recently introduced an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communications technology that will enable its plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to simply "talk" with the nation's electric grid for recharging the battery.

The new technology that works on SYNC, SmartGauge with EcoGuide and Ford Work Solutions, will allow the owner to select the time, duration and utility rate for recharging his car on a touch-screen navigation interface and Ford Work Solutions in-dash computer.

The owner could thus choose to accept a charge only during non-peak hours, between midnight and 6 am, when electricity rates are cheaper or when the grid can use renewable sources like wind or solar energy.

Ford said that all 21 of its PHEV Escapes fleet are likely to be equipped with the vehicle-to-grid communications technology. The first batch of specially equipped PHEVs has already been delivered to American Electric Power (AEP) of Columbus, Ohio.

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Geithner Calls For Regulatory Reform; Fed President Sees 2009 Rebound; Bank of China Posts 59% 4Q Profit Drop; Goldman Plans to Repay TARP money quickly; U.K. Inflation up 3.2% in February; Major Exchanges Want New Curbs on Short-Selling; Lloyd’s Says Insurance Rates to Rise; Copper Prices Take Breather After Rising 30% on China Demand; Mexico’s Inflation Holds Up Rate Cut

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the U.S. regulatory system must impose constraints on companies using risky strategies that could cause them to collapse, posing danger to the financial system. In prepared testimony for the House Financial Services Committee, Geithner said rules must be in place to keep companies from causing “grave damage” to the economy, citing the failure to rein in excesses at American International Group Inc. (AIG) and other companies. Chicago Federal Reserve President ...

Highlighted stocks include Textainer Group Holdings Limited (...

NorthWestern Corporation (...

President-elect Barack Obama has made no bones about wanting to jump-start the renewable energy markets – pledging $150 billion for the development of biofuels, solar and wind power, other alternative energy sources during his first term.

But what might the new administration mean for more traditional – and more reliable –energy sources?

Oil is always the first energy source to spring to mind. But it’s hardly a solo act – coal and nuclear make up the other two-thirds of the top fuel trio. Coal delivers 50% of U.S. electricity needs, and nuclear power brings another 20% to the table.

The cold truth is that demand for energy of all types – and especially electricity – is going to keep advancing, domestically and worldwide. And developing alternatives to coal and nuclear will take time. For instance, tying wind and solar into the existing power grid will be enormously expensive and is likely

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October 30, 2008 – First Solar (Nasdaq:FSLR) yesterday after the market, reported Q3 revenues of $348.7 million, up from $267 million in the prior quarter, and $159 million for the same period last year. Net income was $99.3 million, or $1.20 per share (fully diluted), compared with $69.7 million, or $0.85 per share in the prior quarter and $46 million, or $0.58 per share last year. The stock closed at $115.75 in yesterday’s session, at a P/S ratio of 9.39 times trailing twelve-months revenue and a P/E ratio of 33 times trailing twelve month earnings. Here are some updates and our take: First Solar remains a thoroughbred in a fast field. Management raised its 2008 sales forecast to a range of $1.22 billion to $1.24 billion and it expects sales of $2 to $2.1 billion in 2009. Its total backlog is $6.3 billion.   They also announced yesterday that they are now ...

Korea Electric Power Co., or KEPCO (KEP) registered a net loss in the first half of 2008, bogged down by substantial increase in foreign currency valuation loss, escalating fuel cost and increased price of purchased power.

Also falling Korean Won against the U.S. dollar is affecting import-intensive companies such as utilities with significant dollar-denominated debt. Going forward we expect much improved performance and modest price appreciation.

KEPCO is the dominant player in Korea’s electricity sector, and the Korean company continues to be well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in this market and to benefit from the current industry restructuring initiated by the Korean government.

However, in the scenario of volatile global energy prices, Chinese embargo on coal exports and higher fuel costs, stagnation of electricity rates, KEPCO continues to face risks of increasing costs, thereby often reporting lower operating earnings and net income. Therefore, we maintain our Hold recommendation on KEPCO

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We discussed this on the natural gas side Wednesday [May 7: Roundup for the Day] And don't look now, but in a World of Shortages even natural gas could be causing us some issues NEXT winter says Goldman Sachs. (remember, global competition for resources - if we won't pay, someone else i.e. a government with cash - will) But don't look now, it's going to hit whether your utility uses coal or natural gas... this is sort of like investing in oil stocks 3-4 years ago - to offset the prices your paying in real life, you need to make money on the stocks in your investments... I think there is going to be serious sticker shock next winter; and if you think this next winter will be bad just wait for the one after that - the increased costs will take time to filter through the system. ...