News Roundup
News Roundup for July 30
LEAF CLEANUP
Nissan Leaf
See a leaf in the middle of the road this winter? That’s what Nissan hopes. The automaker this week informed 17,000 prospective drivers of when the all-electric Leaf will be available in their local markets. According to Nissan, consumers who have placed reservations for the Leaf received a communication July 27 regarding market timing and next steps in ordering the all-electric vehicle. In December, the car―$33,000 before a federal tax credit―will be available in California, Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Tennessee.
RAIL GAINS
The nation’s largest railroad appears to be doing quite well, despite the economic slump. Union Pacific reported record quarterly earnings for the second quarter of 2010, with earnings per share up 52 percent to $1.40. The carrier’s profit was $711 million, a 53 percent increase from the second quarter of 2009. James R. Young, the chairman, president and CEO, attributed the numbers in part to an 18 percent increase in car loadings at a small additional cost to the company.
GO AWAY, GULLS
And juvenile salmon appear to be doing better, as well. Federal biologists say they might have found the right mix of actions to boost numbers of salmon at the John Day Dam on the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington. Among other things, they are using synthetic wire arrays and harassment to prevent California gulls from snacking on young salmon. So far, the number of gulls in the area has dropped by about 85 percent, according to the Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the dam.
$133-A-BARREL OIL
You read that right. The Energy Information Administration expects oil prices to hit $133 a barrel by 2035, according to its latest international outlook, released July 27. Oil prices have been in the $70-80 range per barrel, but EIA predicted there will be no drop-off in the world’s thirst for crude during the next quarter-century. Oil prices will top $100 a barrel by the end of the decade and continue rising as liquids remain the fuel of choice for transportation and industry, EIA said.
―Based on news and wire reports
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