Center for a New American Security

From The Hill’s Energy and Environment blog @E2Wire: “Obama administration hits Chinese wind energy tower exports with new tariffs bit.ly/M8RPxh.”

The Hill’s Energy and Environment blog reports that the Department of Commerce has made a decision to impose new tariffs on imports of Chinese wind energy towers. The report comes at a time when the United States is stepping up pressure on China’s unfair trading practices, especially government subsidies for green technologies, such as solar panels.

From Samuel Avro, editor of Consumer Energy Report @ConEnergyReport: “Cheap #NaturalGas Prompts #EnergyDepartment to Soften Its Line on Fuel Cells bit.ly/LIKLVF.”

Samuel Avro of Consumer Energy Report links to a report in The New York Times’ Wheels blog that says the abundance of cheap natural gas – largely as a result of shale rock exploitation – could make hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles more affordable. However, infrastructure challenges remain a significant hurdle to scaling up the technology, according to the report.

From The Diplomat @Diplomat_APAC: “The surprise about protests in#Burma over power shortages is less they took place than there was no crackdown. bit.ly/N64XzR.”

The Diplomat follows up on reports from over the weekend that power shortages have contributed to demonstrations across Myanmar. The report notes that the demonstrations should be viewed as a positive development in the peoples’ efforts to promote a democratic transition.

Also from The Diplomat @Diplomat_APAC: “China doesn't want a military conflict over the Scarborough Shoal. A clash now would only unite ASEAN. bit.ly/KZ61Do.”

The Diplomat reports that defense leaders from Southeast Asia are in Cambodia this week for the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting (ADMM), where issues about China and territorial disputes in the South China Sea rank high on the agenda.

From Dennis Dimick @ddimick: “Center of oil world shifts to Americaswashingtonpost.com/world/the_amer…(via @washingtonpost).”

Dennis Dimick links to a report in The Washington Post from the weekend that highlights the shifting global energy landscape, with major petroleum production increasing in the western hemisphere, particularly in Canada and Brazil.