Energy

Over 250,000 EVs to Be Sold in Europe by 2015
Depleting reserves of fossil fuels and rising levels of greenhouse emissions are expected to break electric vehicles (EVs) out of their niche end-user segments. The mainstream adoption of EV will open up opportunities for utilities, suppliers and finance businesses, as efforts are being made to create a one-stop shop for vehicles and energy.

Arctic Slope Regional Corporation Files Motion to Intervene in Polar Bear Lawsuit
On behalf of its Inupiat Alaska Native shareholders, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) filed a request to intervene in the polar bear lawsuit pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. If the motion to intervene is allowed, ASRC will be heard on all procedural and substantive issues in the case, thus ensuring that concerns for the corporation and its shareholders will be addressed. The motion to intervene was filed on July 3, 2008.

Air Quality Lawyer Peter Mieras Joins Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP
Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP (JMBM), one of California's foremost full-service law firms, today announced that Peter Mieras has become of Counsel to JMBM, bringing with him an extensive background in air regulatory matters gained in his position as Chief Prosecutor with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).

As Another Heat-Wave Looms in Many California Regions, Cal-OSHA Reminds Employers to Provide Training on Heat Illness Prevention
Cal/OSHA is reminding all employers to educate managers and supervisors on heat illness prevention to protect their workers as temperatures continue to rise in many regions of the state. The national weather forecast indicates temperatures to exceed 100 degrees in the Central and Inland Valleys on Monday and remain high for the entire week.

Ferro Corporation Announces Pricing for Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation
Ferro Corporation (NYSE: FOE) ("the Company"), today announced the tender offer consideration and the total consideration to be paid in connection with the offer to purchase all of its outstanding 9 1/8% Senior Notes due in January 2009 (the "Notes") being conducted pursuant to the terms of and subject to the conditions in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement and the related Letter of Transmittal, each dated June 20, 2008 (the "Offer to Purchase").

Beacon Power Files New Shelf Registration with SEC
Beacon Power Corporation (NASDAQ: BCON), a company that designs and develops advanced products and services to support more stable, reliable and efficient electricity grid operation, has filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to register shares sufficient to raise up to $60 million in new investment. This so-called "shelf" registration replaces a previous shelf registration of $50 million, which was filed in July 2007 and which has been withdrawn because most of it had already been used for equity offerings in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2007.

BIO Applauds U.S. Adoption for GE Corn, Cotton, Soybeans
American farmers have adopted genetically engineered (GE) crops widely since their introduction in 1996, especially corn, cotton and soybean varieties, according to a new USDA report.

Citizens Thermal Energy Executive David Toombs Honored as "Person of the Year" by International District Energy Association
David Toombs, general manager of Citizens Thermal Energy, a Division of Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, was presented the prestigious Norman R. Taylor Award by the International District Energy Association during the organization's 99th annual conference in Orlando, Fla. Citizens Thermal Energy is the owner and operator of the district steam and chilled-water systems in Indianapolis.

International District Energy Association Announces New Chair, Board Members
Dennis Fotinos was elected 2008-2009 chair of the International District Energy Association (IDEA) at the organization's annual meeting held at its 99th Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando, Fla. Eight members also were elected or re-elected to the 21-member board.

International District Energy Association Elects Dennis Fotinos Chairman
Dennis Fotinos, President and CEO of Enwave Energy Corporation, was elected 2008-2009 chair of the International District Energy Association (IDEA) at the organization's annual meeting held at its 99th Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando, Fla. Mr. Fotinos previously served as vice-chairman of IDEA and has been an IDEA member since 1998.

Sunoco, Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend of 30.0 Cents Per Share on Common Stock
Sunoco, Inc.'s (NYSE:SUN) Board of Directors today declared a cash dividend for the third quarter of 2008 of 30.0 cents per share on all full shares of common stock outstanding, payable September 10, 2008 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 11, 2008. The dividend on Sunoco common stock is unchanged from the previous quarter.

Fitch Affirms Elektra Noreste's IDRs at 'BBB'; Outlook Stable
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Elektra Noreste, S.A.'s (Elektra) 'BBB' foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). Fitch has also affirmed the 'BBB' foreign currency rating of the senior notes due 2021. Approximately US$100 million of debt securities is affected. The Rating Outlook for all ratings is Stable.

PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems Recognized for Safety by Cal/OSHA
PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems, the nation's largest, privately-owned roofing and solar company, today announced it has received three Golden Gate Partnership Recognition awards from the California Occupational Health and Safety Administration during the past month, bringing to five the total number of times the company has been recognized for the effectiveness of its workplace safety and health programs over the past six months. According to Cal/OSHA, PetersenDean is the only roofing company ever to have achieved this milestone.

Gulf Resources and Shandong Institute of Light Industry Establish Cooperative Research and Development Program
Gulf Resources, Inc. (OTCBB: GFRE), a leading producer of bromine, crude salt and specialty chemicals in China, today announced that its specialty chemicals subsidiary has established a cooperative research and development agreement with the Shandong Institute of Light Industry to create improved products for use in the papermaking industry.

SJW Corp. Promotes Angela Yip to Executive Vice President of Finance and Appoints David A. Green as Chief Financial Officer
Today SJW Corp. (NYSE:SJW) announced new management appointments to become effective on August 11, 2008.

Pepco Holdings, Inc., Cited for Leadership in Diversity
Pepco Holdings, Inc., (NYSE:POM) has been recognized as one of Black Enterprise Magazine's 40 Best Companies for Diversity in employee programs and business practices for the fourth consecutive year. This award, the second in two months from a major national publication, honors PHI as one of the industry's premier leaders in diversity.

PennFuture Hails Passage of Historic Global Warming Bill
Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future (PennFuture) today heralded the Pennsylvania General Assembly for overwhelmingly passing the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act, the first-ever legislation on global warming to pass on the state level.

Fitch Rates Ennis ISD, TX $49MM ULT Bonds 'AAA'/PSF'A' Underlying
Fitch Ratings assigns an 'AAA' rating to Ennis Independent School District, Texas' (the district) estimated $48.96 million unlimited tax (ULT) school building bonds, series 2008. The 'AAA' rating is based on the guarantee provided by the Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF), whose insurer financial strength is rated 'AAA' by Fitch. In addition, Fitch assigns an underlying rating of 'A' to the series 2008 bonds and affirms the underlying 'A' rating on the district's $129.7 million in outstanding ULTs. The bonds are scheduled to be sold on a negotiated basis the week of July 7. The Rating Outlook is Stable.

Samson Oil & Gas Clarifies Issuance of Ordinary Share Options at an Equivalent ADR Price of US$4.80
Samson Oil & Gas Limited (AMEX:SSN)(ASX:SSN) has been advised by some of its shareholders that its previous announcement concerning the grant of a five-year option to an officer for the purchase of 2,000,000 ordinary shares at a price of A$0.25 per ordinary share (the "Option") may have been misinterpreted by US investors on account of the differences between its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) traded on the American Stock Exchange and its Ordinary Shares traded on the Australian Securities Exchange.

WWF Releases G8 Climate Scorecards, Urges US Government to Strengthen Energy Efficiency and Energy R&D Efforts
In advance of next week's G8 summit in Japan, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has released a new report examining the progress of each of the G8 countries toward addressing climate change, a main focus of this year's meeting.