SMH - Households won't be reimbursed for solar energy

THE Federal Government, along with state Labor colleagues, appears to have ditched the idea of a significant national tariff for rooftop solar panels and other household sources of renewable energy.

Most people who generate their own electricity would be likely to see little or no benefit from an agreement announced following a Council of Australian Governments meeting on the weekend.

National Business Review NZ - Nippon company holding oil supply for NZ

Japan's Nippon Oil Corp says it has signed a deal to provide New Zealand with crude oil in case of a crisis.

The agreement, covering 2009, allows New Zealand to purchase up to 84,000 kilolitres of crude oil, equivalent to five days of the nation's consumption, at market prices, the Jiji Press reported.

The company did not disclose the amount of commissions it receives under the agreement.

New Zealand has an obligation as a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA) to hold 90 days of emergency petroleum stocks.

Radio NZ - Hawai’i plans electric car network

Hawai’i has unveiled its plans to start an electric car network in the U.S state as part of its Clean Energy Initiative.

Stuff.co.nz - Pork industry interested in power from pig poo

Pig poo could soon power rural homes and businesses.

Agricultural researchers are probing the potential of pig manure to provide biogas for energy use on farms -- something that was last a hot topic at the time of the 1973 oil shock.

SMH - Australia records biggest trade surplus

The result was also much stronger than market forecasts of a $1.6 billion trade surplus for October, in itself a record.

Non-rural good exports rose by 20 per cent, largely driven by demand for coal and coke.

Commonwealth Bank senior economist Michael Workman said the upbeat trade result could stop the Australian economy from shrinking in the December quarter, as a surge in coal export volumes boosted the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).

SMH - Productive oil fields to be redeveloped

A Woodside Petroleum Ltd-led joint venture will spend $1.8 billion redeveloping a group of oil fields that have been one Australia's most productive oil developments over the past 13 years.

SMH - Free buses get green light

Aimed at shoppers and city workers, six new Volvo buses will travel in both directions on George and Elizabeth streets, linking Circular Quay and Central stations in a 30-minute, all-stops loop.

WA Business News - Pacific Energy in $77m power deal

Perth-based Pacific Energy will pay $77 million in cash and scrip to acquire Kalgoorlie Power Systems, which owns a suite of power stations in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

The Australian - BHP cutbacks confirm resources slowdown

ANZ Bank senior commodities analyst Mark Pervan said the move was a very strong signal from the world's largest supplier of the commodity, predominantly used in steel production: "It is a reaction of how fast steel demand is deteriorating. The next big announcement is going to come from coking coal or iron ore."

3 News - World's first motorway legal electric bike arrives in NZ

The market appears to describe the Vectrix as half motorcycle and half maxi scooter, and is comparable to the size of a Triumph 900 Tourer.

Its performance is fairly surprising. It is capable of speeds up to 100kmh, and has a range of 80km per charge.

Powered by a sealed brushless motor - it has a governed top speed of 100kmh and is equivalent in power to a 400cc bike. Acceleration is swift, reaching 0-50kmh in 3.6 seconds and 0-80kmh in 6.5 seconds.

ABC - Enjoy lower petrol prices 'while you can'

Spokesman Jim Kershaw says unleaded is selling for 95 cents a litre in Brisbane's inner west and at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.

He says it is at around 97 cents at Helensvale on the Gold Coast.

"If the oil producers of the world decide to keep reducing output of oil this could mean that oil prices start to rise, which means the bowser prices will also rise," he said.