SASK COAL STOCKS (fka )

[gadawg22]

NEWS RELEASE
WESTCORE TO LAUNCH MAJOR WINTER DRILL PROGRAM

WESTCORE ENERGY LTD. – WTR: TSX.V ("Westcore" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of its winter drill program on the Black Diamond and FNR JV projects located near The Pas, Manitoba.

All contractors have been engaged and governmental work permits have been granted authorizing Westcore to drill a maximum of 58 boreholes for up to 8,700 metres on its properties in Manitoba. Winter ice road construction to all targets is underway with drilling anticipated to start in early February.

The winter program has two primary objectives. The first is to delineate previously identified deposits with an aim of incorporating the results into a resource report in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The second is to explore to test several new geophysical anomalies identified from interpretations of both the 2010 and 2011 airborne surveys.

Black Diamond Property MB

Extensive delineation drilling is planned for incorporation into a NI 43-101 report on the Calypso, Athena, Ambit, Cyclops and Discovery deposits at Black Diamond. The Company also plans to conduct exploratory drilling on two new targets with significant geophysical anomalies. In total; it is anticipated that the Company will drill between 30 and 38 holes on this property for a total of approximately 3,600 metres.

FNR JV Property MB

The drill program for the FNR JV program is to complete delineation drilling on the Quasar deposit for incorporation into a NI 43-101 report. Drilling is also planned to explore a large new target with similar geophysical characteristics to deposits on Westcore’s Black Diamond properties. The Company anticipates completing between 15 and 20 holes for a total of approximately 2,200 metres of drilling.

Hudson Bay North SK

The Company continues to analyze potential drill targets on the Hudson Bay North property. Targets will be modified based on the success of drilling similar targets on its properties in Manitoba. Westcore has received approval from the Government of Saskatchewan to carry out a 20 hole drill program within the next fifteen months.

Paul Conroy, President and CEO of Westcore states "We are very excited to announce our 2012 winter drilling program. This program was carefully planned to be both cost effective and to give the best possible chance of success at achieving our stated objectives with existing capital. We look forward to providing further updates at regular intervals in the coming weeks detailing our progress."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Westcore Energy Ltd.
Paul Conroy
President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: [phone]
www.westcoreenergy.ca

[joan3]

North American Gem is also drilling right now in SK from land they staked in the coal rush of 2008. There is coal there but whether there is enough to make up a deposit must yet be determined.

[hardrockminer]

One explorer to start summer drill program:

Saturn hires surveyor for Sask., Manitoba properties

2011-06-14 10:11 ET - News Release
Mr. Stan Szary reports
SATURN MINERALS COMMENCES 4,389 LINE-KM AIRBORNE GRAVITY SURVEY IN EASTERN SASKATCHEWAN & WESTERN MANITOBA ON COAL AND OIL PROPERTIES
Saturn Minerals Inc. has engaged Sander Geophysics Ltd. of Ottawa, Ont., to commence a 4,389-line-kilometre helicopter airborne gravity survey over selected properties of the company in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. The field crew and equipment have been mobilized and the Sander survey began on June 3, 2011.
The Sander survey will add 3,689 line kilometres of geophysical gravity interpretation based on narrow-spaced (120 metres to 150 metres) lines to the results of the extensive fixed-wing airborne GeoTEM and gravity surveys, and a limited ground gravity survey, which the company has completed on its Saskatoba coal project since 2009. The Sander survey will also provide a completely new set of airborne gravity and magnetic data for the Rat Creek properties in Manitoba which were recently acquired by the company based on analysis of regional data. The survey is also expected to allow for an improved interpretation of the configuration of the pre-Cretaceous paleosurface and evaluation of Saturn's properties with respect to potential accumulations of other minerals.
The Sander survey will nearly double the size of the company's airborne geophysical database (to approximately 8,000 line kilometres) for the Saskatoba coal project. Geophysical data acquired to date have been instrumental in elaborating and implementing the Saturn exploration model of coal-bearing basins in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba. Limited drill campaigns conducted by the company in 2009/2010 and 2011 were based predominantly on geophysical data in hand and were designed to test the Saturn exploration model. The 2009/2010 winter drill campaign resulted in coal discoveries of the Leif coal basin in Saskatchewan, with significant coal intercepted in eight out of 12 drill holes. The 2011 winter drill program resulted in coal discoveries of the Karolina coal basin in western Manitoba with significant coal intercepted in six out of seven drill holes including an 88.98-metre coal intersection at 44.65 m depth in drill hole QP227-04 (see Saturn news release, March 29, 2011). Both drill programs provided independent geological and additional geophysical data (down-hole geophysical logs) which allowed for geological calibration and substantial improvement of the Saturn exploration model.
The coal discoveries in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba made since 2008 appear to establish a model of a karstification-related Cretaceous sedimentary paleoenvironment that was favourable for coal accumulation. The presence of thick coals as discovered by Saturn in the Karolina coal basin and potentially widespread coals in the Leif coal basin combined with new geophysical and geological data acquired by Saturn suggest that the coal deposits of eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba are related to a wider combination of geological factors, including larger-scale structural controls and the development of deltaic, fluvial and/or lake sedimentary paleoenvironments. The potential effect of such factors has significant exploration implications on the Saturn exploration model for ultimate economic potential of the area.
"Accurate acquisition and interpretation of geophysical data has proven integral to successful exploration for coal and other sedimentary-based minerals in many mining jurisdictions," stated Stan Szary, president of Saturn Minerals. "The Saskatoba project is no different. Understanding all potential geological factors influencing coal accumulation in eastern Saskatchewan and western Manitoba is critical for exploration, a process that is greatly aided by examining the nature and history of potentially comparable coal basins such as Belchatow-Szczercow in central Europe which contain up to 1.9 billion metric tons of coal. The Sander survey will greatly help the company in refining the Saturn exploration model to design a broader drill campaign with which to address the wider potential of the company's properties."
The Sander survey will also include a preliminary exploration program of approximately 700 line kilometres of an airborne gravity and magnetic survey over the company's recently acquired Little Swan and Bannock Creek oil/gas properties in eastern Saskatchewan. The properties encompass a total of 1,524 square kilometres granting Saturn the exclusive right to explore for oil and gas for five years.
Dr. Krzysztof Mastalerz, PGeo, the company's qualified person under NI 43-101 standards, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

[hardrockminer]

Well this also may explain the doldrums junior coal explorers find themselves in over the past few months:

The S&P/TSX Venture index, a measure of companies listed on Canada’s primary exchange for junior companies, is down a touch more than 22 per cent from its peak in early March. June has been particularly ugly, with only three positive days so far in the month. The dismal performance, including another loss on Monday, has taken the Venture index back to where it was in October.

Volumes are also plunging, signalling a general lack of interest even in bargain hunting. In June, the average day on the Venture market has seen fewer than 200 million shares change hands. In the months prior to the sell-off, days of 400 million and 500 million shares were relatively regular occurrences.

[hardrockminer]

Maybe this is why GXS is in slump:

(from another board) Management has informed me that they plan to drill 15 - 20 holes commencing in July 2011!

(But, some optimism from another poster) Management has informed me that they plan to drill 15 - 20 holes commencing in July 2011!

[hardrockminer]

Nothing too exciting in this space past couple of months (GXS stock especially has taken a pounding). Hopefully the weather dries up fast and the summer drill programs begin soon for those exploring for more coal discoveries in the WCSB.

[gadawg22]

They will come out with the results in a week or two. I would not wait too long. The oil equivalent can be as high as $300 a barrel. I figured out that the total could be as high as $700. Quantex cost will be 40 a barrel or 200. Finally, as far as the refinery, I have heard it is scalable 1,000 barrels per day costs 20,000,000. thus, a 10,000 barrel a day will cost 200,000,000. New Hope, who is behind Quantex, could write that check. These are all estimates, and the numbers will be finalized as time goes on.

[hardrockminer]

Yes, I like the presentation WTR has on their website where they show the potential 1 to 5 conversion that the Quantex process could provide. I have been trying to figure out the costs as well as the CTL plant's take too, to figure out more firmed up figures for WTR's bottom line but that is pretty back of envelope at this time still.

[gadawg22]

I am a big believer in Westcore. It appears that once the samples are tested and the exclusive deal is done, the process of Quantex can convert $35 rock a ton into maybe over $600 to $700 rock a tone.

[hardrockminer]

I see the SK gov't is a big supporter of the building of a coal fired generator, so if feasible I imagine it will get green-lighted but I thought the Coal-to-Liquid plant was the new more favored approach.

[hardrockminer]

I see both Goldsource and Westcore are talking up building either a coal to liquid or coal fired power plant in Hudson Bay area. Sounds like there is a lot of confidence that things will be moving quickly and there is an abundance of thermal coal there.

[hardrockminer]

Saturn Minerals - SMI-TSX.V - They have property right next door to Westcore and have lots of land all around there and Hudson Bay on the SK side and are about to start drilling and have found coal up to 10m in their previous drill campaign. They are still a sleeper and under-followed...so I really have high hopes for this stock as they and WTR and GXS start to release results from their holes. Check them out at www.saturnminerals.com

[hardrockminer]

You would think with Westcore - WTR hitting 85 m of coal there would be some buzz about the potential upside (even though technically the discovery was right next door in MB and not in SK). Maybe it's because there isn't much float and so much controlled by GXS and 49 North as the stock hardly has any volume from what I am seeing?

[fringe_remnant]

WTN.TO

[fringe_remnant]

More Charts in the iBox -e-

[fringe_remnant]

KEX.V

[fringe_remnant]

Coal is Coming Back -e-

[fringe_remnant]

GCE.TO

[fringe_remnant]

WER Bouncing -e-

[Rocketred]

Interview with 2009GRR: Goldsource Mines New Coal Licenses and Drill Results
Company: Goldsource Mines Inc.
Title: Interview with 2009GRR: Goldsource Mines New Coal Licenses and Drill Results
Text: Goldsource is one of those classic mining stories: Diamond exploration outfit makes good by discovering a completely different form of carbon-namely, coal. Goldsource's share price rocketed to $19 on the spectacular drilling results on its Border project in 2008. President Scott Drever and Principal Consulting Engineer Eric Fier explain the plan for proving up Canada's first new coal discovery in decades.

GRR: Goldsource has been an incredible journey for you and for investors. How much land do you hold here?

Scott Drever: We own several different parcels. At the discovery area of the Border Project, we've got about 132,000 hectares-the actual discovery holes are almost in the center of that land package.

We have a second parcel to the northwest of the Border project that we call the Ballantyne Project. We picked that up using the knowledge we gained about the occurrences at Border. We have yet to do any work on that one but there are historical records of coal within the permit area.

We've been acquiring or filing applications in Manitoba as well.

GRR: What portion of these licenses have you drilled?

Eric Fier: Very little-between 1% and 3%.

GRR: One of the reasons you are so confident in continuing to find more coal is that you did extensive research using old oil drilling data from these properties. Tell us about that.

EF: At Border there was no previous drilling so that was a raw discovery.

On the other two properties, there was previous exploration drilling. We were able to compile this data and then basically go out and acquire that land based on the results from the database. That data is anywhere from 20 to 40 years old. A lot of it is unqualified, so this in the “historic data” NI 43-101 category.

GRR: What has your recent drilling told you about what you might have?

EF: The type of the deposit so far that we can ascertain is a thermal coal deposit. To put that into perspective, in North America coal represents 50% of our power supply, which comes from thermal coal deposits in the US and Canada.

From a geologic or technical point of view, we're within the Mannville group which is a Cretaceous formation (around 100 million years old) and that is located in stretches from Manitoba into BC. There are a lot of coal deposits that are within that formation, but most are uneconomic at this point because they are too deep.
What we're looking at are the shallower extensions of that formation.

As far as the size goes, technically it is still very early stage, but our target resource is +500,000,000 tonnes for the Border project. We're trying to use geophysics to understand the components on how to find the coal and that seems to be working in some areas but potentially not other areas. So I can't emphasize enough that this is very early stage.

GRR: How are your relations with the various levels of government and First Nations?

SD: We've met several times at several different levels with the Saskatchewan government, First Nations and have met several of the ministers involved as well as the Premier. They are all quite excited about the discovery, as are the people at the rural municipal level.

That part of Saskatchewan is not well developed and they've had a number of setbacks economically with respect to closure of pulp plants and wood chip plants. They're really keen and excited to have the potential of this type of resource being developed in their area.

I have met with several band chiefs across Saskatchewan with respect to our diamond exploration and they have valid concerns that we're working with-they are concerned about training and jobs for their community, and they want to be able to share in the economic development of resources on their traditional lands.

GRR: What about the infrastructure here?

EF: The infrastructure is very good. It's just on the edge of the agricultural developed area, so roads and power and town sites are all within 50 km of the discovery. There is a good, all-weather gravel highway that transverses the property itself, as does the CN rail line.

GRR: Hudson Bay is not far away-could you use that as a port for overseas shipping?

Answer: We haven't eliminated any potential export targets. There is certainly a need and a use for it domestically. Saskatchewan power is 50% generated by lignite coal, which is a very poor quality coal.

Once we complete drilling, we can determine at least in a global sense what kind of resources we have, and then do a scoping study. Then we'll take a hard look at what export markets might be available to us.

Also, I wouldn't limit this to simply a thermal coal product. Depending on the size of this, we could also go in the direction of coal gasification and liquefaction. There is a lot of work being done on gasification and liquefaction of coal, which would put us into a completely different market scenario. You need to have size to do that, but certainly the quality of this would be appropriate for those uses.

GRR: Have you got the capital you need to continue exploration and move on to a scoping study?

SD: Last summer, after our discovery, we were fortunate enough to complete a private placement of $18 million at $11.75 per share. We still have more than enough to carry us through this drill program, do some exploration on the other two projects and complete our scoping study. We're in very good shape.

Check the numbers out here,Very Very Interesting
""" Just an idea of stock prices with different $$ values

http://www.stockhouse.com/Bullboards/MessageDetail.aspx?p=0&m=26365578&l=0&r=0&s=GXS&t=LIST

http://www.stockhouse.com/Bullboards/MessageDetail.aspx?p=0&m=26365593&l=0&r=0&s=GXS&t=LIST

http://www.stockhouse.com/Bullboards/MessageDetail.aspx?p=0&m=26365595&l=0&r=0&s=GXS&t=LIST

http://www.stockhouse.com/Bullboards/MessageDetail.aspx?p=0&m=26365597&l=0&r=0&s=GXS&t=LIST

[righty]

Starting to see some interesting activity in this sector, gong to have topull some industry analyst stuff up and check it out.

Any factoids to share?

[fringe_remnant]

Yep, They Look Good...

so does NAG

fringe

[Rocketred]

GXS traded 500k everyday this week so far and rolling out.

News on Drilling expected along with Lab News

[Rocketred]

more news again today

[fringe_remnant]

This Could Get Interesting Rocket -e-

[Rocketred]

yup volume on gxs 2.7 mil

[fringe_remnant]

Amazing... Look How All Respond -e-

[Rocketred]

The game is back on as Gxs hits some hot holes

[fringe_remnant]

Luk'n Gud Here -e-

[mlkrborn]

how do you invest in / trade coal sector? what is best choice for positioning for year 2010 tia

[fringe_remnant]

Coal will come back here soon.

[fringe_remnant]

Coal Prices Turning Up -e-

[fringe_remnant]

Bounce Time Will Come -e-

[fringe_remnant]

Industry Consolidation


Teck Cominco Snaps Up Fording


VIRGINIA GALT, Globe and Mail Update, July 29, 2008 at 9:53 AM EDT

Teck Cominco Ltd. announced Tuesday that it has reached a $14.1-billion (U.S.) deal to acquire 100 per cent of the assets of Fording Canadian Coal Trust, Canada's largest producer of metallurgical coal.

“Teck will pay approximately $12.4-billion in cash and issue approximately 36.9 million Teck Class B subordinate voting shares in consideration for the Fording assets,” Vancouver-based Teck said in a statement.

Fording Coal Trust said it made the deal with Teck after looking at other strategic alternatives and conducting “a global search for potential purchasers of Fording.”

Teck currently holds about 19.9 per cent of Fording's units and is the managing partner of the Elk Valley Coal Partnership, the metallurgical coal business from which Fording receives substantially all of its cash flow.

Teck said the cash portion of the deal will be primarily funded by a $9.8-billion loan arranged with a syndicate of banks.

Under the terms of the transaction, Fording unitholders will receive $82 in cash and 0.245 of a Teck Class B subordinate voting share per Fording unit.


I am not an investment adviser and as such I expect that you, in our communications, will do your own DD and not act on message board banter of any kind.

[fringe_remnant]

EVERYTHING IS ROCKING HERE TODAY -e-

[Rocketred]

its an ugly day for sask coal stocks

[ZavBar]

KOL holding up

#msg-30504374

[fringe_remnant]

Total Overreaction IMO....

... also, watch PS of coal here.

fringe


I am not an investment adviser and as such I expect that you, in our communications, will do your own DD and not act on message board banter of any kind.

[ZavBar]

knee-jerk reaction to GXS news looks like

Goldsource Updates Border Coal Drill Program
Monday July 21, 8:00 am ET


VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - July 21, 2008) - Goldsource Mines Inc. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:GXS - News) announces that it has completed the first drill hole and commenced drilling the second of seven additional core holes on its coal permits of the Border Property near Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. The first hole drilled in this sequence was BD08-01 which was followed by BD08-04 (see attached drill plan, available at: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/gxs0721map.pdf).


Drill hole BD08-01 was drilled approximately 1,300 metres to the south of the initial discovery holes and roughly equidistant between these holes. The hole was drilled to a depth of 110 metres and intersected approximately 7.5 metres (41.0 to 48.5m) of carbonaceous mudstone, coal and sand partings at the base of the overburden followed by Lower Mannville mudstones and Devonian limestones that underlie the coal seam in the discovery holes. It appears that these basal units are about 50 metres higher at this location than in the original sites which suggest a gently undulating paleo-surface. There were also distinct differences in the nature of the overburden which suggests the possibility that an earlier glacial event may have removed a majority of the coal in this specific elevated location.

Drill hole BD08-04 is approximately 2,500 metres south of BD08-01. This hole is being drilled to a planned depth of about 120 metres and intersected approximately 8.3 metres (28.0 to 36.3m) of carbonaceous mudstone, coal seams and sand partings at the base of the overburden followed by Lower Mannville mudstones. The drill rig is currently experiencing mechanical problems. Hole BD08-04 will be completed once the necessary parts are received to complete repairs.

It is expected that drill hole BD08-02, which is approximately 2,500 metres northwest of BD08-03, will be drilled after BD08-04 (see attached map, available at: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/gxs0721map.pdf). This hole was located based on a review of the available geophysical data, the apparent geophysical signature of the coal seam and geological data obtained in the first four holes.

J. Scott Drever, President stated; "Our initial assumptions were based on the possibility of a main coal basin with more than one sub-basin. The results of BD08-01 and of BD08-04 so far suggest that these assumptions appear correct and we may be on the eastern margins of one of the sub-basins which contains the discovery holes and which may be flanked by a ridge of Lower Mannville sediments and Devonian limestones. While these holes did not encounter the thickness of coal intercepted in the discovery holes, they are important to help establish the orientation of the sub-basins."

Mr. Drever continued by stating; "It is, however, extremely important to maintain perspective on what is the very early exploration stage of a discovery. We currently have 3.5 holes in an immense area that we know contains huge intercepts of coal. This is "raw" exploration and we are working from a limited technical database. The constraints of physical access and the limitations imposed by drill site permitting gives the program less flexibility than is optimal. However, we have a number of theories and each drill hole will provide us with better ground proofing of the geophysics and allow us to build a geological model for the deposition of the coal and the impacts of paleo-topography and glaciation on the deposit. We remain confident that this current limited drill program represents only the first step in the delineation of a major coal deposit and will enable us to focus on the areas of greatest potential."

Independent qualified persons from Norwest Corporation are present for this initial drilling to inspect coal intercepts, establish coal sampling and handling protocols, quality assurance and control and set up a standardized coal logging system. Samples will be shipped to Loring Labs in Calgary for analysis based on Norwest's recommendations.

N. Eric Fier, CPG, P.Eng. and Qualified Person for this news release has reviewed and approved its contents.

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which address future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results, programs and financial position could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors, some of which may be beyond the Company's control. These factors include: the availability of funds; the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties, the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, the uncertainties of resource and reserve estimations, receipt and security of coal permits and mineral property titles; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, fluctuations in commodity product prices; currency fluctuations; and general market and industry conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Goldsource Mines Inc.

J. Scott Drever, President

The TSX-Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.



Contact:
Fred Cooper
Goldsource Mines Inc.
[phone]
[phone] (FAX)
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.goldsourcemines.com

[fringe_remnant]

Major Cathartic Selloff Sector Wide -e-

[fringe_remnant]

Buying WER Here -e-

[Rocketred]

Won't matter if its a real discovery.GXS has too hit no too ways about it.

Just finished hole today so no way any leaks of any kind has happened

still just about 300k short as of july 15



"these posts are not of a licensed investment advisor or analyst nor does he give out buy, sell or hold advice to anyone"

"A Blind Bat could do a better job at regulation"

[fringe_remnant]

Sounds Like a Military Exercise

Now if we could only get the price of coal to stop dropping...

fringe

[Rocketred]

GXS first hole was completed today as they are using chopper with portable drill and also ground support in moving stuff from location to location.

Scott at GXS said everything going well
spoke with him after market closed today


"these posts are not of a licensed investment advisor or analyst nor does he give out buy, sell or hold advice to anyone"

"A Blind Bat could do a better job at regulation"

[fringe_remnant]

Skyward Oil Stokes a Coal-Fired Future

NEIL REYNOLDS, Globe and Mail Update, July 18, 2008 at 6:00 AM EDT

Der Spiegel, the German newsmagazine, explained earlier this month why the Persian Gulf states are switching to coal. “[They] may be sitting atop massive oil reserves,” the magazine said. “But with prices for crude skyrocketing, it makes more sense to sell it than to use it. Instead, the Gulf states are turning to coal for their own energy needs – to the detriment of the climate.” And these states are not alone. “Demand for coal plants,” the magazine says, “is growing rapidly across the globe.”

Abu Dhabi (largest of the seven UAE emirates) has announced that it will switch to coal-fired power plants. Dubai (the second largest) is already building four of them – with a combined output of 4,000 megawatts – as a first-phase investment in coal. Apart from the United Arab Emirates, Oman (widely regarded as “the next Dubai”) has signed a contract with South Korea for the construction of several coal-fired plants. Beyond the Gulf, Egypt proposes to build its first coal-fired plant on the shores of the Red Sea. Russia has announced plans to build more than 30 coal-fired plants by 2011.

As almost everyone now knows, China connects a new coal-fired plant to its electrical grid every 10 days – and intends to keep doing so for several years. Less known is China's decision to construct a massive coal-fired plant in Inner Mongolia that will convert the region's vast coal reserves into oil. With 10,000 people now engaged in the construction, the plant will be completed by the end of the year. The coal-to-liquid process used by this plant will consume twice as much coal and produce twice the CO{-2} emissions as the simple burning of coal in a conventional power plant.

The Kyoto Protocol, incidentally, classifies the Gulf states as developing countries – meaning that they are under no obligation, oil revenues notwithstanding, to reduce CO{-2} emissions. They have opted for coal for a single compelling reason: cost. They can produce a megawatt-hour of electricity using Australian coal, Der Spiegel calculates, for $17.49 (U.S.). Using natural gas, the cost rises to $41.34. Using oil, the cost rises further to $79.50. At the same time, they can sell their oil on the global market for something approaching (or occasionally exceeding) $140 a barrel.

One of the ironic differences between Germany and the Gulf states, Der Spiegel observes, is the absence of solar energy investment “in the sun-baked Gulf states.” Germany produced 1,300 megawatts from solar installations in 2007; the Gulf states combined produced 36 megawatts. As impressive as its commitment to solar power appears, though, Germany has its work cut out. It has promised to generate most of its electricity by renewable energies (largely wind and solar) by 2020 – when it will phase out its nuclear power. Germany has thus opted for the world's most expensive electrical power even as other countries simultaneously opt for the cheapest.

For an assessment of Germany's chances, check out CanadianEnergyIssues.com, the website of Steve Aplin, the perceptive Ottawa-based energy and environment consultant. “Germany must bring at least 12,000 megawatts of base-load electricity into service by 2020, the year in which the nuclear phase-out will begin,” Mr. Aplin writes. “German politicians are beginning to realize the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of plugging the gap left by the departure of nuclear.”

It appears that German environmentalists are making it harder for the country to reach its aggressive objective – and are driving up the country's CO{-2} emissions, too. Some German Greens are blocking construction of power lines needed to connect wind power to the grid in a bid to prevent despoiling of the countryside. Mr. Aplin notes that emissions from German power generation rose by 12 million tonnes between 2005 and 2007. “In their zeal to admonish the rest of the world,” he says, “German Greens are making sure that their own emissions will continue to rise.”

Other German Greens are championing – you are ready for this, right? – coal. “The more strident of the anti-nuclear politicians in Germany are now advocating new coal and gas plants to ward off a certain electricity supply crisis,” Mr. Aplin says. “Why is coal in this mix? It is cheap and domestically available.”

Cheap, reliable power apparently still has its practical uses – and its political appeal. The Germans are now operating a showcase 40-megawatt solar power plant near Leipzig (which, in its experimental startup phase, will operate as a 24-megawatt plant). But 40 megawatts are a long way from 12,000 megawatts. “Hence,” Mr. Aplin says, “the new enthusiasm [in Germany] for coal and gas.”

The bizarre debate still rages on here and there in the developed countries. What limits on carbon emissions must be imposed? What taxes levied? Two days ago, though, Germany's Finance Ministry issued a remarkably candid public statement. It conceded that Europe's proposals for reductions in greenhouse gases – without the participation of all major contributors worldwide – will be pointless.

Precisely.

[fringe_remnant]

USCoal Price Down 14% On the Week -e-

[Rocketred]

BHP took out 1.5 million acres themselves two weeks ago, just northwest of adamas



http://www.stockhouse.com/bullboards/

[Rocketred]

GXS should have drill results out soon

[Rocketred]

GXS should have drill results out soon

[norkel]

drilling begun...you think iyo this is a $100 buck company?