A study has found that a modest reduction in electricity use during peak hours would reduce energy prices by at least $57 million to $182 million annually in the Mid-Atlantic region. The study, prepared by The Brattle Group, examined the effects of reducing electricity use by three percent during the highest use hours for five utility areas. It notes that, "More widespread participation and deeper curtailments would result in even greater price impacts."

The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and in consultation with the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, completed a project to clean up over 68 miles of shoreline reaching from Byblos to Enfeh. This effort was required as a result of an oil spill that took place during the recent conflict and it focused on areas of high economic importance including commercial harbors, public beaches, and several historic sites.

Platts The 10 OPEC members bound by the group's output agreements produced an average 27 million barrels per day (b/d) in December, down 70,000 b/d from November, but some 700,000 b/d above its current output target, a Platts survey showed Friday. Including Iraq, which does not participate in OPEC's production agreements, the 11-member group produced 28.9 million b/d in December, 160,000 b/d less than November's 29.06 million b/d. Rough weather hit Iraqi exports in December.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company this week began receiving renewable power from the Buena Vista Energy, LLC Wind Project located in the Altamont pass area of Contra Costa County. PG&E's second newly constructed renewable project to come on line under California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) Program, Buena Vista will provide over 38 MW of wind power to California's electricity customers.

Rapidly rising energy prices and, more importantly, the intensifying effects of climate change are compelling the EU and its member states to promote various energy efficiency measures. This situation is driving the performance contracting market in Europe, since service providers can help customers achieve energy efficiency, saving money and reducing emissions in the process.

World Energy Solutions announces that Austin Energy has completed a power procurement using the World Energy Exchange to purchase 664.8 million kilowatt hours of on-call electricity supply. Austin Energy is a community-owned electric utility and a department of the city of Austin, TX. The utility plans to retire its 358 megawatt Holly gas-fired power plant in 2007 and used the World Energy Exchange to find replacement supply for 2008-2010.