Shortages of natural gas along with uncertain supplies of coal are pinching India’s power sector, according to a December 29 report from Business Line (India).

Datang International Shizhu Power Generation Co. Ltd.’s (Chongqing) Shizhu power plant grassroots project in Chongqing has received final approval from the National Development and Reform Commission, the top planner in China.

Mitsubishi is planning to launch its first all-electric light truck in 2012, targeting farm, construction and other industrial customers with relatively short-range daily operations, according to a December 29 report from Nikkei news service.

Tokyo-based marine-vessel classification society ClassNK announced December 27 that it issued its first-ever verification of a diesel selective-catalytic reduction (SCR) system that meets International Maritime Organization Marpol Annex-6 “Tier-3” emissions limits on nitrogen oxides (NOX).

Vancouver, Canada-based Ballard Power Systems announced December 28 that it signed a letter of intent with the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, for 25 “FCvelocity TM-HD6” fuel cell modules to power 25 hydrogen fuel-cell buses.

U.S. commercial crude inventories increased by 3.9 million barrels – contrary to analyst forecasts – and refined product stocks were mixed, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) report for the week ended December 23.

NYMEX light, sweet crude for February delivery settled at US$99.65 per barrel (/bbl), up 29¢ on December 29, as concern about Iran’s recent threat to disrupt shipments through the Strait of Hormuz – a key shipping channel out of the Arabian Gulf – offset pressure from a pair of supply updates that showed U.S. inventories unexpectedly rose last week.

The 3-2-1 crack spread for the Gulf Coast rose 6% from US$13.99 per barrel (/bbl) to $14.89/bbl for the week ending December 23.

U.S. Gulf Coast aromatic spot prices and other prices were mixed for the week ending December 30.