Do you remember this time last year? As spring turned to summer, energy prices were moving upward. By mid-July 2008, oil prices peaked at $147 per barrel. But as with Gen. Pickett and his famous charge at Gettysburg, that lofty level of $147 was the high-water mark for oil prices.

By August of last year, the price of oil was retreating, and it was a hard slog on the way down. By midwinter, in December 2008 and January 2009, oil prices were in the $30s per barrel - a drop of over 75% within six months. It was a wild ride.

Natural gas had a similar rise and fall last year. In July 2008, the NYMEX price for natural gas was around $13 per mcf (thousand cubic feet). By October 2008, that price was cut in half. In fact, natural gas prices trended down throughout the chilly winter of 2008-2009. The current

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Brazil is making a national commitment to develop energy resources located far offshore in the South Atlantic. Indeed, no nation has ever advanced such an ambitious plan for long-term comprehensive offshore development. And it’s being bankrolled by China.

Much of Brazil’s South Atlantic development will require drilling wells in waters up to two miles deep, through four-five miles of rock beneath the seabed. The prize at the end will be oil deposits with reserves estimated in the tens of billions of barrels. With access to this offshore bounty, Brazil expects to take its place among the first ranks of energy-producing nations in the world.

Brazil’s state-controlled national oil company (NOC), Petroleo Brasileiro SA (NYSE:PBR) plans to spend over $175 billion in the next five years just on offshore development. The immense investment involves buying and building dozens of new drill ships and seagoing platforms, along with many dozens more support and

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Last week, I spent a full day in a seminar on climate change. It was a totally sober and professional seminar, sponsored by a group that specializes in continuing legal education for attorneys. I heard talks by a variety of lawyers, academics and regulators, mostly about how “the train has left the station” on climate change and carbon regulation. And wow… has that train ever steamed out. But did you ever hear the conductor call, “All Aboard?” This is a critical matter and here’s the takeaway point: We’re about to see an UTTER TRANSFORMATION of the U.S. economy.

Your life will be regulated — directly and surely indirectly — by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mostly through its powers under the Clean Air Act (CAA). And the parts of your life not regulated by EPA will fall under the jurisdiction of your friendly state or provincial environmental authorities. Many of the

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This year has been a big win for those who have been rooting for a larger renewable energy industry and reduced dependence on carbon based fuels. There have been several initiatives, legislation, and events that are expected to invigorate the growth of solar, wind, and other alternative energy markets.

– In October, the 30-percent Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) was extended for 8 years. Notably, this extension removed the low monetary caps for residential installations. Additionally, for the first time, publicly regulated utilities can now monetize the ITC, making direct investment into solar project assets less costly.

– In November, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rejected a permit for a new coal-fired power plant in Utah. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment also denied permits for two large coal-fired units. Each of these decisions results in a reduction of greenhouse gas pollution as well as questions the future of

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ZBB Energy Corporation (AMEX: ZBB), a company focused on providing turn-key energy storage systems and renewable energy generators, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a sales distribution agreement with Zest Energy Pty Ltd. Zest will be responsible for the marketing, selling, and distribution of the ZBB products throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Based in Australia, Zest focuses on providing energy storage systems that use regenerative fuel cells to technology suppliers, property developers, and utility companies. Zest works with its clients to design and install the storage systems that reduce energy costs and provide supplemental energy during peak demand periods. The company educates businesses that diesel or gas generators are no longer needed and that renewable energy generation is a viable and eco-friendly option.

ZBB manufacturers and ships its two base products, ZESS 50™ and ZESS 500™, from its Menomonee Falls facility in Wisconsin. The modular design of

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Today's Commission proposal for 20% renewable energy by 2020 paves the way for a massive expansion of wind energy in the 27 Member States and a new energy future for Europe.

Today's Commission proposal for 20% renewable energy by 2020 paves the way for a massive expansion of wind energy in the 27 Member States and a new energy future for Europe.