Renault-Nissan Alliance officials announced Feb. 1 that they’ve signed a Memo of Understanding with hotel group, All Japan Ryokan Association, to “promote development of electric vehicle charging infrastructures in hotels affiliated with the association and initiate a study in creating new demand in the hotel industry together with the promotion of EVs.”

Dubai-based Axial Vector officials announced Feb. 1 that they’ve signed a memo of understanding with India-based non-road diesel engine maker Kirloskar Oil Engines for development of a vegetable-oil-tolerant Axial Vector engine.

Positive economic data provided investors with confidence as crude futures rose Feb. 1. The price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for March delivery settled at US$74.43 per barrel (bbl), up 2.11%, while Brent crude for March delivery rose $1.65, to close at $73.11/bbl.

ExxonMobil reported fourth quarter 2009 earnings of US$6.0 billion, a decrease of 23% or $1.77 billion from the same quarter in 2008. For the latest quarter, the downstream sector posted a loss of $189 million, down $2.6 billion.

Although many companies have posted significant fourth quarter 2009 revenue losses, discontinued or postponed scheduled refinery projects worldwide and have laid off thousands of employees, “prospects for 2010 are more encouraging,” said GE Oil & Gas President Chief Executive Officer Claudi Santiago during his welcome presentation to more than 930 GE customers present for the company’s annual event.

American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard and Charles T. Drevna, president of the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA), on Feb. 1 slammed various energy tax provisions in U.S. President Barack Obama’s proposed fiscal 2011 U.S. budget submitted to Congress.

The Obama Administration Feb. 1 proposed a budget of US$10 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Among the budget highlights include the Healthy Communities Initiative of $27 million to address community water priorities; promote clean, green and healthy schools; improve air toxics monitoring in at-risk communities; and encourage sustainability by helping to ensure that policies and spending at the national level do not adversely affect the environment and public health or disproportionally harm disadvantaged communities.

Energy highlights from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which concluded Jan. 31, included discussion of new technologies, oil shale, unconventional gas and peak oil.

India’s Centre for Science and Environment – famous for leading the fight to ban “dirty” diesel vehicles and push compressed natural gas instead – is now trashing automakers for touting “green” cars that can’t be sold in the country.