Piedmont Natural Gas (NYSE: PNY) is marking Earth Day 2011 by sharing facts about natural gas and encouraging customers to use energy wisely and efficiently.  "Natural gas is the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels, and when used directly for space heating, water heating, and cooking can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a home or business," remarked Thomas E. Skains, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Piedmont Natural Gas.  Mr. Skains went on to say, "Clean burning natural gas is also an abundant and domestic energy resource that enhances our nation's energy independence and energy security."

Natural gas resources in the United States represent more than a one-hundred year supply at current consumption rates.  In addition, more than 98 percent of all natural gas consumed in the U.S. comes from North American sources.  The transmission and distribution of natural gas from the source of production to the end consumer is also an efficient delivery system of energy, retaining more of the original energy produced than alternative energy products and services. 

Karl Newlin, Piedmont's senior vice president of Corporate Planning and Business Development whose responsibilities include the Company's carbon management strategies further commented on the importance of energy efficiency, "Energy efficiency is important to Piedmont Natural Gas and its customers on this day and every day.  But Earth Day 2011 is a special opportunity to consider the simple things we can all do to use natural gas and other energy products and services more efficiently and protect our environment."

In combination with simple behavioral changes, some of the ways customers can use energy more efficiently include the following techniques:

Energy Saving Tips

• Use a programmable thermostat
• Use energy-efficient appliances and equipment
• Ensure proper home insulation
• Seal leaks and insulate duct work
• Change or clean filters regularly
• Install low-flow faucets and shower heads
• Use approved "wraps" to insulate water heaters and hot water pipes in unconditioned spaces
• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
• Turn off lights when leaving the room
• Wash clothes on a cold water cycle 

For more information about the benefits of natural gas, or to learn about how your home or your business can become more energy efficient, visit us online at www.piedmontng.com.  SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas

Six teams moved on to the semi-final round of judging in the Clean Energy Prize competition, which will be held Feb. 18. The surviving teams are pitching new, clean-energy business ideas that range from a new way to finance energy efficiency upgrades for municipal buildings to a new model for the biomass fuel industry using a non-food plant called pennycress.

The teams that survive the semi-final completion will compete later the same day (Feb. 18) as finalists, vying for the largest shares of a $100,000 prize pool.

The Clean Energy Prize, presented by DTE Energy and the University of Michigan, challenges teams to develop business plans that promise to move a new, clean-energy technology from the laboratory to the market place.

The six teams that will face off in the semi-finals are:

• Green Start Batteries: An eco-friendly and cost effective alternative to new batteries by renewing 7 out of 10 lead acid batteries to original manufacturing standards at one third of the cost of new batteries.

• Smart Energy Loan Fund: Providing an innovative financing model to retrofit municipal buildings for energy efficiency savings.

• CSquared Innovation: A laser-assisted atmospheric plasma deposition technology that offers a high-speed, cost-effective and highly scalable platform approach to the synthesis of nanostructured materials and films for a large area on Li-ion battery electrodes, photovoltaics, industrial coatings, and biomedical materials.

• Grid Link: A cost-effective residential demand response program to utilities by providing an end-to-end solution that includes program development, marketing, and operation.

• Impact Card: A first-of-its-kind funding mechanism that aggregates consumer credit card reward points as project financing for renewable energy development.

• Perennial BioEnergy LLC: Development of a biodiesel industry based on pennycress, non-food winter oilseed which can be integrated with summer cash crops such as corn and soybeans.

A total of 23 teams made up of students from seven Michigan colleges and universities entered the 2010-2011 competition.  The schools represented by participants of those 23 teams include The University of Michigan, Wayne State University, Kettering University, Lake Superior State University, Western Michigan University, Lake Michigan College and Lawrence Technological University.

The competition requires that teams focus on business ideas that support renewable energy, energy efficiency, smart grid technologies, environmental control technologies, plug-in electric vehicles or energy storage. The teams are competing for a share of a $100,000 prize pool. The prize money rewards the winning teams with resources that can help them further develop their ideas and ultimately start new businesses that can contribute to Michigan's emerging role as a leader in clean energy.

The First Place team will receive $50,000.  The other top prizes are $25,000 for second place, $10,000 for third place and $7,000 for fourth place.  The teams that advanced from Round 1 received $200 and the teams that have advanced from Round 2 received $500.

The Clean Energy Prize competition was established by DTE Energy and the University of Michigan to encourage entrepreneurship in Michigan and the development of clean-energy technologies.  The Masco Corporation Foundation and The Kresge Foundation were Clean Energy Prize founding sponsors and they continue to support the competition.  Additional sponsors include UBS Investment Bank, Google, Huron River Ventures and GM Ventures.

The Center for Entrepreneurship and the U-M Ross School of Business' Ross Energy Club are organizing the competition.  Also providing support are several other University of Michigan entities, including Business Engagement Center, The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, and the Office of Vice President for Research.

"Ultimately there will be just one winner of the Clean Energy Prize," said Knut Simonsen, president, DTE Energy Ventures. "But all of the semifinalist teams display the inventiveness, drive and entrepreneurial spirit that we are hoping to stimulate with the competition. This is exactly the type of mindset and effort needed to revitalize Michigan's economy."

Bhushan Giri, one of the Ross Energy Club student leaders said, "We have seen a great set of new ideas in this year's CEP. A highlight of this year's competition is an increased interest in the financial aspects of clean energy - both on participants' and judges' ends.  Appropriate financing options are vital to making clean energy commercially viable and this year we have a few teams with innovative propositions to secure low cost funding for clean energy projects.  I look forward to an interesting showdown in the upcoming rounds."

Details of the competition are available on the Clean Energy Prize Web site: www.micleanenergyprize.com.  SOURCE DTE Energy

Platts -- China's apparent oil demand* in September rose 5.1% year on year to 35.53 million metric tons (mt) or an average of 8.68 million barrels per day (b/d), according to a just-released Platts analysis of official data from the People's Republic of China.

The September demand figure is almost unchanged from August's 35.54-million-mt level.

Meanwhile, China's apparent oil demand in the first nine months of the year totaled 317.7 million mt or an average of 8.52 million b/d, up 10.25% from the same period of 2009, according to Platts' data.

Chinese refiners processed a total 34.91 million mt or an average 8.53 million b/d of crude in September. This is up 6.35% from a year ago, but just 0.52% higher than August, according to data released by the country's National Bureau of Statistics on October 21.

The refiners' collective crude throughput from January to September was 310.74 million mt, 13.48% higher from a year ago.

Chinese crude imports in September hit a new historic high of 23.29 million mt, or around 5.7 million b/d.

"The crude available to China in September, including domestic production and net imports, was 40.09 million mt, but the throughput was only 34.91 million mt. So a little over 5 million mt of crude presumably went into storage, the highest in a month so far this year," said Vandana Hari, Asia editorial director at Platts.

"At the same time, China's monthly refined product imports continued to come off June's high of 3.64 million mt, while the country stepped up product exports last month. The flattening of implied oil demand in September could be a precursor to an easing of the country's runaway oil demand growth rate for the remainder of 2010," Hari added.

China's net oil product imports in September were down 36% from the corresponding month of 2009 at 0.62 million mt or around 147,600 b/d, statistics released by China's General Administration of Customs showed earlier this week.  

The government releases data on imports, exports, domestic crude production and refinery throughput data, but does not give official data on the country's actual oil consumption figure and oil stockpiles. Official statistics on oil storage are released intermittently.

Platts releases its monthly calculation of China's apparent demand between the 18th and 26th of every month via press release and via its website. Any use of this information must be appropriately attributed to Platts.

For more information on crude oil, visit the Platts website at www.platts.com.  For Chinese-language information on oil and the energy and metals markets, visit http://www.platts.cn/.

Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and commodities information. With a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. An independent provider, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping, and metals markets from 17 offices worldwide. Platts' real-time news, pricing, analytical services and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better business decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com. SOURCE Platts

Vanguard Energy Partners, a leader in the design and installation of large-scale solar electric systems, announced today that it has been awarded a contract by the Somerset County Improvement Authority (SCIA) to establish 7.6 megawatts (MW) of energy-producing solar power systems at 31 local and County government locations throughout Somerset County, N.J.  It is one of New Jersey's largest public solar energy generating projects.

The clean and silent solar photovoltaic systems will save taxpayers $18.35 million over the term of the 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA) and avoid an estimated 15,428,397 lbs of carbon emissions annually. This is equivalent to taking 1,338 passenger vehicles off the road or preserving 66.4 acres every year.  

"This project will save taxpayers more than $1 million per year in energy costs, significantly decrease carbon emissions and greatly contribute toward achieving our long-term sustainability goals," said Freeholder Director Jack M. Ciattarelli.  "Just as importantly, with this bold initiative, we continue to demonstrate environmental leadership and our commitment to keeping Somerset the 'greenest' county in New Jersey."

Under the terms of the PPA, there will be no capital outlay for any of the participating local governments. Vanguard will build, own, operate and maintain the solar systems for 15 years, selling the renewable electricity to the County at predictable, discounted rates. Citi, acting through its Municipal Securities Division, will be an equity investor in the project with Vanguard.

In addition, the projects will include an educational component that will track solar performance through a real-time, web-based monitoring system provided by Branchburg, N.J. - based Noveda Technologies.

"We are excited and pleased to support Somerset County's outstanding leadership and commitment to its citizens and the environment," said Vanguard CEO Jim LaFleur. "This private-public partnership in renewable energy is a win-win because it will save money for taxpayers, support the local economy, and benefit the environment."

Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC (www.vanguardenergypartners.com) designs and integrates large-scale solar electric systems for businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and utilities. With operating offices in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Florida, Vanguard excels at providing turnkey solar electric solutions for the private and public sectors. With extensive experience in construction, commercial roofing and electrical systems management, Vanguard has completed over 150 solar installations with more than 12 MW of DC rated capacity and another 7 MW under construction.

SOURCE Vanguard Energy Partners, LLC

Gran Tierra Energy Inc. ("Gran Tierra Energy") (NYSE Amex: GTE; TSX: GTE), a company focused on oil and gas exploration and production in South America, today announced preliminary results of the Moqueta-3 delineation well in Colombia and an operations update for Colombia, Peru and Argentina.

Colombia

Initial drilling and logging results have been obtained from the Moqueta-3 delineation well, with a bottom-hole location 450 meters south of the Moqueta-1 discovery well in the Chaza Block of the Putumayo Basin. Oil and gas shows were recorded through the Villeta Lower U Sandstone, the Villeta T Sandstone and the Caballos formations, with electric logs indicating total net oil pay in the Moqueta-3 well increasing to 118 feet, from 44 feet encountered in the Moqueta-2 delineation well. As a result of these initial indications of increased oil pay, a test program is being designed to confirm the fluid content and productivity of the encountered zones. This test program is expected to start immediately and take approximately three weeks to complete.

Log evaluation shows that the Villeta Lower U Sandstone reservoir has approximately 14 feet of net pay, with no evidence of gas as found in the Moqueta-1 well, suggesting the section may be oil bearing.

Oil and gas shows encountered during drilling and log interpretations from data acquired after drilling, indicate the presence of oil-bearing reservoir sandstones in the underlying Villeta T Sandstone beginning at 4,545 feet measured depth ("MD") or 4,265 feet true vertical depth ("TVD") with an approximate potential net oil pay thickness of 53 feet. Both well logs and pressure gradient data obtained with a wireline testing tool indicate the entire T Sandstone reservoir is oil bearing in contrast to Moqueta-1 and Moqueta-2, where the zones were gas bearing.

The underlying Caballos formation was encountered at 4,682 feet MD or 4,402 feet TVD with approximately 51 feet of potential net pay interpreted from the well logs, consisting of approximately 31 feet of potential net oil pay in the uppermost Caballos sandstone reservoir and 20 feet of potential net oil pay in the Middle Caballos reservoir. In contrast, these zones were interpreted as gas bearing in the Moqueta-1 and Moqueta-2 wells. No oil-water contact was identified for the Upper and Middle Caballos intervals. Subject to successful testing and subsequent delineation drilling, there remains potential for additional oil down-dip. The Lower Caballos reservoir has 29 feet of net reservoir with lower oil saturations than found at Moqueta-1 and Moqueta-2. The fluid type is not conclusive and this reservoir is not included in net pay; however, it will be tested to confirm the fluid type.

The Moqueta-4 delineation well will be located approximately 1.5 kilometers southwest of Moqueta-1. The main objective is to delineate the Moqueta discovery as no gas-water or oil-water contact is evident in the existing wells. We intend to drill further down-dip with the Moqueta-4 well, and as demonstrated in Moqueta-2 and Moqueta-3, drilling down-dip has the potential to extend the oil columns encountered.

Gran Tierra Energy has completed 20% of a new 3D seismic acquisition program on the western portion of the Moqueta area in the Chaza block. It is anticipated that the seismic program will continue to provide additional subsurface information to assist in Gran Tierra Energy's interpretation of the Moqueta field and adjacent prospectivity.

Design and land negotiations associated with the Moqueta to Costayaco pipeline are currently underway. Upon completion of the land negotiations, the application for an environmental permit will be submitted. Construction of the eight kilometer pipeline is expected to be undertaken in fourth quarter of 2010 with long-term flow testing expected to begin in the first quarter of 2011.

At the Costayaco field, the construction of a water injection facility was completed in September 2010. Gran Tierra Energy has commenced water injection through the Costayaco-5 well into the T Sandstone reservoir. By increasing the reservoir pressure, Gran Tierra Energy anticipates improving the recovery factor of oil reserves in the Costayaco field.

Exploration Wells

In addition to the drilling rig operating in the Moqueta field, Gran Tierra Energy has contracted two additional drilling rigs in Colombia, which are expected to drill the Pacayaco-1 and Taruka-1 prospects in the Chaza and Piedemonte Sur blocks, respectively. Civil construction is currently underway for the Pacayaco-1 and Taruka-1 well sites, while surface access negotiations are ongoing for the Canangucho-1 well in the Chaza block. Taruka-1 is expected to spud in December, 2010, while Canangucho-1 is expected to spud the first quarter of 2011. Pacayaco-1 is on trend and west of the Moqueta discovery and is expected to spud late October, 2010.

Argentina

In the Valle Morado field, the workover and sidetrack operations on the VM.x-1001 wellbore are proceeding. The condition of the existing wellbore is worse than expected and sidetrack options are currently being reviewed.

Peru

Gran Tierra Energy has concluded acquiring 260 kilometers of 2D seismic on Block 128 in Peru and will be moving to Block 122 to begin seismic acquisition operations. The drilling rig is currently being mobilized to Peru. The expected spud date for the first well in the Peru program on Block 128, Kanatari-1, is December, 2010. Gran Tierra Energy has now received all necessary seismic and drilling approvals for Block 122 and Block 128.

Brazil

An application for approval of the acquisition of a 70% interest in Blocks REC-T-129, -142, -155 and -224 in the on-shore Reconcavo Basin, Brazil has been submitted for regulatory approval from Brazil's Agencia Nacional de Petroleo Gas Natural e Biocombustiveis ("ANP").

Production Update

In the third quarter 2010, Gran Tierra Energy preliminary estimates production of 13,200 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) net after royalty. This falls below the company's previously disclosed full year estimate of between 14,000 and 16,000 BOPD, net after royalty. Significantly impacting production were OTA pipeline disruptions, leading to twenty-two days of downtime in the third quarter. The OTA pipeline was back in service on September 20, 2010 with current production from all Gran Tierra Energy properties of approximately 15,000 BOPD net after royalty, including approximately 14,200 BOPD from Colombia and 800 BOPD from Argentina.

About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

Gran Tierra Energy Inc. is an international oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Calgary, Canada, incorporated in the United States, trading on the NYSE Amex Exchange (GTE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (GTE), and operating in South America. Gran Tierra Energy holds interests in producing and prospective properties in Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Brazil. Gran Tierra Energy has a strategy that focuses on establishing a portfolio of producing properties, plus production enhancement and exploration opportunities to provide a base for future growth.

Gran Tierra Energy's Securities and Exchange Commission filings are available on a web site maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov and on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com.

The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) today released a landmark study, "Utility Communications Needs: Key Factors That Impact Utility Communications Networks," that articulates for the first time in a comprehensive manner the key requirements that utilities and communications service providers must meet in order to provide the reliable, robust, secure and ubiquitous communications that utilities require in order to build smart energy grids that enhance our nation's energy efficiency, independence and sustainability and emergency response communications systems that ensure the rapid restoration of America's critical infrastructure in emergencies.  The UTC study was sponsored by Verizon.

"Energy and water companies need a range of advanced technologies to navigate the communications challenges we face in building 21st century intelligent networks and emergency response systems," said William R. Moroney, UTC President and Chief Executive Officer.  "Bottom line: utilities cannot build all the communications networks they need, and best of breed communications service providers will be essential to their success.  We believe this report will help both utilities and their technology partners to more rapidly understand where each utility needs its own networks and where partnership will enhance their operations."

Based on extensive research with UTC's energy and water utility members and a wide range of factors that shape how utilities will adopt advanced communications technologies into smart grids, the study delves into the crucial technical factors that both utilities and their technology partners must take into account to deliver critical utility communication services.  These factors are often extreme high reliability, higher bandwidth, very low latency, ubiquitous coverage, tight security and uninterrupted power supplies. 

The study further concludes that communications service providers will have expanded opportunities in the utility communications marketplace if they meet the technical requirements for these key factors in a cost-effective manner. 

Specifically, the study's top findings are:

• Reliability is the number-one criteria for utility communications networks.  Whether in networks built, owned and managed by utilities or in communications services purchased or leased from external providers, reliability was the most important technical factor.
• The advent of the smart grid, which has spurred a number of efforts to standardize industry technologies and protocols, promises to create a more uniform set of architectures, configurations and applications for utilities in the future.  As unifying efforts get underway, the utility industry could create a more uniform base for the more rapid deployment of advanced two-way communications technology.
• The scope, structure and technologies of utility communications vary widely from utility to utility.  Because of the long-evolved legacy communications architectures across the nation's utilities, no single approach to utility communications is practical in the near-term.
• Under current and future technology scenarios, certain key technical factors are mandatory for safe, reliable and secure utility operations.   Among these factors are extreme high reliability, higher bandwidth, very low latency, ubiquitous coverage, tight security and uninterrupted power supplies
• Communications service providers face increased opportunities in utility communications but must meet utilities' key reliability, technical and cost requirements.  Utilities already rely on external telecom providers throughout their communications networks and will likely turn to more outside telecom partners for support as two-way technologies take hold and as industry standardization occurs.  But communications service providers must meet the industry's key technical requirements, particularly when it comes to core and operations networks where any failure can destabilize or shut-down the utility's functions.

"This study provides an important blueprint for the utility and communications industries to work together, while reinforcing that reliability and security will be two key components to successful smart grid evolution," said Rilck Noel, vice president and global managing director of Verizon Business' global energy and utility practice.  "Verizon's experience designing, building and managing some of the world's most innovative communications and IT solutions for government agencies and businesses across the globe make it ideally suited to address the evolving requirements of utilities and deliver end-to-end smart grid solutions."

The study, which features extensive results from a survey of UTC utility members, is available immediately to UTC utility members at no cost.  Associate members and non-members can purchase the study at http://www.utc.org/utc/utility-communications-needs-2010.

The Utilities Telecom Council (UTC) is a global, full-service trade association dedicated to creating a favorable business, regulatory, and technological environment for entities that own, manage, or provide critical telecommunications systems in support of core services. Founded in 1948, UTC has evolved into a dynamic organization that represents the broad communications interests of electric, gas, and water utilities; natural gas pipelines; other critical infrastructure entities and other industry stakeholders.  Visit www.utc.org for more information on UTC and its services.  UTC Research creates a variety of research products to provide the utility industry with the tools utilities need to make smart decisions.  UTC Research also conducts consulting projects. These projects are done on a contract basis for the purpose of answering specific business questions associated with internal utility telecom operations and telecommunications businesses.  For more information, contact Cynthia Brumfield, Director of Research, 202.833.6828 or Cynthia.Brumfield@utc.org or Kristy Weinshel, Director of Member Services, 202.833.6815 or Kristy.Weinshel@UTC.org.

Sunvalley Solar, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SSOL), a leading solar power technology and solar system integration company, announces a statewide partnership with GRID Alternatives to provide solar solutions to low income families in California.

Since 2001, GRID Alternatives has been working to bring the power of solar electricity and energy efficiency to low-income homeowners, and to provide community members with training and hands-on experience with renewable energy technologies. Recently GRID Alternatives became the Program Manager for the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) Program, a California Solar Initiative program, which is funded by California ratepayers under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). SASH is the country's first solar incentive specifically for low-income families. As a strategic partner of GRID Alternatives, Sunvalley Solar is providing variants of solar system solutions to GRID Alternatives to support the SASH program.

On June 12th, GRID Alternatives successfully hosted their first annual Greater Los Angeles Solarthon, installing eight solar electric systems for low-income homeowners in the wonderful neighborhood of Piru in Ventura County, helping the families save on their electricity bills for decades to come, and promoting renewable energy for a cleaner environment. As strategic partner of GRID Alternatives, Sunvalley Solar attended this great even as a sponsor, and also provided solar equipment for the homes.

"Many thanks to all of our corporate sponsors and partners including Sunvalley Solar, Inc. for this fabulous event," said Tim Sears, Program Director and Co-Founder of GRID Alternatives. "Preferred providers like Sunvalley Solar are helping us to decrease costs on high quality solar equipment that we use to make our vision into a reality."

"GRID Alternatives' Solar Affordable Housing Program is a truly groundbreaking program," said James Zhang, CEO of Sunvalley Solar. "As GRID Alternatives' preferred solar solution provider, Sunvalley believes this partnership will ultimately enable many low-income homeowners to adopt cleaner power and save money on energy costs in the process."

Founded in 2001, GRID Alternatives is an Oakland-based nonprofit organization that provides renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. GRID Alternatives' flagship Solar Affordable Housing Program trains and leads teams of community volunteers, corporate work-teams and low-income job trainees to install solar electric systems for low income

homeowners throughout California. To date, GRID Alternatives has installed over 500 systems for low income families throughout California, totaling over 1 megawatt of generating capacity, with the help of more than 5,000 volunteers and low-income job trainees. These systems reduce each family's electric bill by 75 percent, translating to more than $10 million worth of energy cost savings over the systems' projected life spans. To learn more, visit www.gridalternatives.org.

Sunvalley Solar, Inc. is a leading solar system solution provider that offers comprehensive solar energy technology, system design, installation, equipments, and technical support for electrical contractors, builders, homeowners, businesses/commercial buildings, and government entities that assist them in lowering or utility bills, reducing environmental impacts, and increasing energy reliability and independence through solar energy. Located in Los Angeles, California, Sunvalley Solar, Inc. is one committed to reducing the world's carbon foot print from traditional energy sources to make renewable sources such as solar the nation's mainstream source of power. To learn more, visit www.sunvalleysolarinc.com.

Blast Energy Services, Inc.'s ("Blast")(OTC Bulletin Board: BESV) board of directors has approved the definitive agreement with Sun Resources Texas, Inc., a privately-held company based in Longview, Texas ("Sun"), to acquire its oil and gas interests in the North Sugar Valley Field located in Matagorda County, Texas. Under the terms of this agreement, Blast will pay $1.2 million in cash and stock for Sun's approximately 66% working interest in three wells currently producing a total of 43 gross barrels per day with an estimate of more than 60,000 barrels of net in recoverable reserves to Blast.

"This transaction marks the beginning of a new direction for Blast - one with cash flow to fund operations and potential upside to the crude oil markets.  With cash flow from this acquisition and future Quicksilver Resources settlement payments, we plan to cost effectively acquire additional producing properties in the future.  With a core business in place we believe that we will be able to pursue deployment of our applied fluid jetting technology as well as other exciting growth opportunities," stated Michael Peterson, acting President and Chief Executive Officer of Blast.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement Blast will: (i) make a cash payment of $600,000 on or before October 8, 2010; (ii) issue an interest free promissory note for $300,000 payable at a rate of $10,000 per month commencing October 31, 2010 with the final balance payable in full on or before October 8, 2011; and (iii) issue $300,000 in shares of common stock at a price of the per share closing market price of Blast's stock at the end of the business day of the closing, but not to exceed 8 cents per share.

Blast intends to pay the cash portion of the agreement from a portion of the $2.8 million in funds, net of attorney's fees, owed to Blast from Quicksilver Resources in connection with the Compromise Settlement and Release Agreement entered into with Quicksilver in September 2008.  Blast is to receive net $1.4 million in two separate payments due on September 17, 2010 and 2011.

The definitive agreement has also received the approval of the Board of Directors of Sun and its shareholders. The transaction is expected to close within the next few days.

The federal government's failure to take easy and inexpensive steps, such as insulating walls and roofs and installing more efficient appliances, adds $1 billion a year to the energy and housing costs of 3 million of the nation's poorest families.

That's the conclusion of "Up the Chimney: How HUD's Inaction Costs Taxpayers Millions and Drives Up Utility Bills for Low-income Families," a report issued August 26, 2010 by Charlie Harak of the National Consumer Law Center.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development spends well over $5 billion annually to pay for heat and power for public housing authorities and subsidized rental units, or to assist low-income people who pay those utility bills directly. By making better use of existing energy efficiency programs (including those offered for free by utility companies), and by improving data collection on energy use in subsidized units, HUD could easily trim more than $1 billion from that tab, according to the NCLC report.

"By failing to take full advantage of existing energy efficiency programs, the federal government wastes taxpayers' money, needlessly spends scarce housing funding on energy and utility bills, and plunges poor families deeper into poverty," said Charlie Harak, a NCLC senior attorney and author of the report.

According to HUD's most recent energy report to Congress, one of the agency's key energy efficiency programs (called "energy performance contracting") has reached only 1% of the country's 2,300 small housing authorities, and only 167 of the 800 largest housing authorities.  "HUD has barely touched the low-hanging fruit that could yield tremendous savings for taxpayers and for the poor families that the agency helps to house," Harak said.

The NCLC report provides a detailed action plan to make HUD greener. It calls upon HUD to:

• step up its participation in utility-administered energy-efficiency programs,
• offer simplified energy performance contracts to small housing authorities,
• use community development block grants to supplement weatherization funding,
• expedite weatherization program participation by housing authorities and owners of subsidized rental units, and
• re-calculate tenant utility allowances to reward conservation and investments in energy efficiency.

The report also calls upon HUD to compile much better data about energy usage, costs and efficiency in the large portfolio of housing authority and rental units it subsidizes; set explicit, attainable goals for energy savings; and establish an Office of Energy Efficiency Implementation to make sure housing authorities and owners of subsidized housing actually achieve those goals.

The report notes several indicators that HUD has not seriously tackled energy inefficiency in its assisted housing stock. Forty-three percent of heating systems in public housing in the Northeast are at least 20 years old. Electric resistance space heating - the most expensive and least efficient way to heat most homes - remains the most common heating source in public housing. And fewer than one in four refrigerators in public housing had the Energy Star designation that signifies compliance with Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency standards for a high level of energy efficiency.

The report is posted on-line at:

www.nclc.org/images/pdf/pr-reports/up_the_chimney_082610.pdf

The National Consumer Law Center is a non-profit organization that seeks marketplace justice on behalf of vulnerable Americans, and advocates on behalf of the interest of low-income energy consumers. NCLC works with, and offers training to, thousands of legal-service, government and private attorneys, as well as community groups and organizations representing low-income families. Our legal manuals and consumer guides are standards of the field. Learn more on our Web site: http://www.consumerlaw.org.

For more information or to arrange an interview with the report's author, contact Charlie Harak at (617) 542-8010 or at charak@nclc.org.

Governor Patrick Quinn Signs Law to Ramp Up Solar Energy in Illinois; $4 Million Grant Award Announcement for Up to 62 MW Solar Development; Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Wanxiang America Solar Panel Manufacturing Plant in Rockford, Illinois

Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn arrived at Wanxiang America Corporation's newly built solar panel manufacturing plant in Rockford, Illinois today to announce an over $4 million stimulus grant award for an up to 62 Megawatt (MW) Rockford Solar Project, the largest photovoltaic (PV) solar development in the Midwest and one of the largest in the United States, and to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Wanxiang America Corporation's solar panel manufacturing plant.

"The state's investment will help ensure Illinois remains a leader in renewable energy development, while continuing to build on the state's energy independence goals," said Governor Quinn. "With partnerships with companies like Wanxiang and New Generation Power, we're creating hundreds of sustainable, green-collar jobs and providing an economic boost to the entire state."

Earlier in the day, Governor Quinn was in Chicago to sign House Bill 6202 into law, which establishes interim solar targets to help Illinois successfully scale up to reach the state's solar renewable portfolio standard of 6% by 2015. The new law marks a landmark achievement for solar energy in Illinois and will create over 5,000 solar panel installation, manufacturing, and maintenance jobs and significantly reduce Illinois' carbon footprint.

The up to 62 MW Rockford Solar Project will generate enough electricity to power over 10,000 homes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions at a rate of 113,000 tons annually, equivalent to the emissions from nearly 20,000 cars. The Project will significantly help electricity suppliers achieve the required 0.5% solar target by 2012.

"We thank Wanxiang for their investment in its North American solar panel manufacturing facility," said City of Rockford Mayor Larry Morrissey. "We are equally enthusiastic about New Generation Power's potential Solar Farm at Chicago Rockford International Airport. Investments in green technology such as these will help reinvent Rockford's economy."

The Project is the effort of Rockford Solar Partners, LLC, a joint venture between Wanxiang America, the U.S. subsidiary of one of the largest non-state owned companies in China with $8 billion in revenues worldwide, and Chicago-based renewable energy developer, New Generation Power to develop and operate an up to 62 MW photovoltaic solar generation facility in Rockford, Illinois.

"Thank you to Wanxiang and New Generation Power for its investment in our region. This is the perfect example of how the city and county came together to create jobs and promote the renewable energy industry. Currently we have locally made Wanxiang solar panels, purchased by Winnebago County, producing energy at Freedom Field," said Winnebago County Board Chairman Scott Christiansen.

The Rockford Solar Project not only creates jobs in construction, installation and servicing but also countless additional jobs are generated in the sale and marketing of green power. The Project will also source PV solar panels locally from the Wanxiang solar panel plant.

"We are helping to establish Illinois as one of the largest producers of solar energy in the country and generating much-needed jobs for the Rockford area," said Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, President of New Generation Power.

Production has already begun on Wanxiang's solar panels in the newly constructed flagship manufacturing facility located in the Rockford Global Trade Park adjacent to the Rockford International Airport. Rockford officials have indicated the facility is designed for expansion on the 10-acre Wanxiang campus.

"Solar energy is becoming more and more popular in America, and in the world as well. We believe the market is poised for rapid growth," said Pin Ni, President of Wanxiang America. "We appreciate the State and City governments to support the solar business. Our goal is to expand the plant threefold to meet the demand of Illinois's new solar energy mandate."

In March 2010, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded a grant of $4,025,000 to Rockford Solar Partners, equivalent to 1.26 percent of the Project's total cost. 68 percent will be financed by nongovernmental sources. The federal funding was awarded pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Community Renewable Energy Program to create and retain jobs.

House Bill 6202, the Solar Ramp-Up Bill, passed the Illinois General Assembly on May 27, 2010 and established interim solar targets to help Illinois successfully scale up the solar portion of Illinois' Renewable Portfolio Standard: 0.5% in 2012, 1.5% in 2013, 3% in 2014 to reach 6% in 2015.