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A 6.8 earthquake that hit Japan caused spillage of radioactive water at one of the nuclear power plants owned by Tokyo Electric Power Co. The spillage, estimated to be 1,140 liters, came from a pool storing spent fuel assemblies. The water went into a sump that then emptied it into the Sea of Japan. The incident has raised concerns over safety.

Electric cars manufactured by Global Electric Motorcars L.L.C. are being widely adopted in Lincoln, California. These vehicles, which resemble golf carts, are inexpensive to purchase and use, and are a good way to help reduce vehicle emissions.

President George W. Bush of the United States has announced 'cellulosic ethanol' as a panacea to the use of gasoline and petroleum imports. Ethanol is to be available at gas pumps in six years and could supply one third of gasoline needed by Americans. The energy policy is controversial as financing by the government for new distribution and vehicle technology is to be $150 million and there is a question of taxation for price viability at the gas pumps.

The United States government in response to rising oil prices and Hurricane Katrina has released petroleum from government reserves to be sold to consumers. Gasoline prices are forecast to stay above three dollars per gallon.

This article discusses the problem facing the Los Alamos National Laboratory where there is a dearth of experts in the making and testing of nuclear weapons. Half of the labs designers are in their mid fifties and soon to retire. There has been little effort so far to recruit new experts.

The petroleum producing countries around the world are meeting to increase production because low supply and high prices have caused consumers to get angry and producers to fear economic and political repercussions.

FBI and Customs Service officials have arrested a number of Chinese counterintelligence agents for sending economic information to China. The officials noted that Chinese espionage activities in the US have intensified considerably over the past few years. These economic spies often target innovations within the US high technology industry.

USEC Inc. is planning to construct a pilot plant in Portsmouth, Ohio that will enrich uranium. The planned plant is part of the company's competition with a European consortium plan to build a similar plant in Tennessee.

Jacksonville, Florida's energy utility, JEA, faces difficulties in its quest to generate 7.5% of its electricity from 'green' or renewable, energy sources.

Alexander Shustorovich's bouncing of a $250,000 check to the Republican Party is another example of the troubles both parties are having with raising campaign funds.

Several commercial ventures in the US and Canada are developing gasoline substitutes from organic refuse known as biomass. Projects by BC International, Masada Resource Group and Iogen are discussed.

Intenational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials have doubted the effectiveness of their inspection of North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear research facility which they conducted in Aug 1993. The officials said that they were permitted to inspect the facilities only after 6 p.m., with the building's lights turned off. Thus, the IAEA is not in position to issue statements assuring the international community that nuclear materials were not being diverted for production of nuclear weapons.