Austin Energy will install 103 plug-in charging stations to form its Plug-In EVerywhere network for electric vehicles, the Texas-based company announced August 3.

With tougher Euro-5 fuels and emissions standards taking effect January 1, 2012, in Brazil, MAN this month will debut a four-cylinder, Euro-5 diesel engine for the “Volksbus” school bus.

NYMEX light, sweet crude for September delivery extended recent losses to five consecutive sessions – settling at US$86.63 per barrel (/bbl), down $5.30 – tracking a massive sell-off in the stock market and a firm dollar.

A threatened suspension of oil exports from Iran to India is called off as payments for India’s purchases of crude oil imported from Iran begin flowing through Turkish banks, according to several recent media reports.

Chinese biodiesel producer Gushan Environmental Energy Ltd. on July 28 announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire a controlling interest in Hunan Yin Lian Xiangbei Copper Co. Ltd., a China-based company that is currently engaged in the recycled copper business.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has modernized its website, www.energy.gov, which it says will provide consumers and businesses with access to information and resources that can save money and energy while improving the agency’s ability to interact with the public and each other.

Expanding the reach of a Clinton-era directive to consider the social concept of environment justice in several federal agency activities, the Obama administration announced August 4 an increased effort aimed at developing environmental-justice strategies and providing the public with annual progress reports.