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The article discusses the increasing danger of heat waves in the United States and the importance of access to power for cooling during extreme heat. The number of heat-related deaths in the US has been rising, with over 2,300 deaths recorded in the hottest year on record. State officials are recognizing the need to keep electricity on during the summer, even in regions where heat has not historically been a major issue. The article also highlights the financial challenges faced by households in paying their energy bills and the potential deadly consequences of utilities shutting off power during extreme heat. Some states have implemented laws to prevent power shutoffs during heat advisories, but many states still lack such protections. The article emphasizes the need for state governments to ensure the safety of their citizens during extreme heat and calls for further discussion on this issue. [Extracted from the article]

Tony Sanchez III, a former shale oil CEO, is transitioning to the clean energy industry after his company, Sanchez Energy, went bankrupt in 2019. His new company, OneNexus, offers insurance policies for oil wells that pay out money to shut down and cap wells after they expire, addressing the issue of orphan wells that leak methane and other toxic fumes. Many oil and gas veterans are making similar moves to the clean energy sector due to concerns over climate change and the declining attractiveness of the oil and gas industry. The shift towards clean energy is also attracting significant investment. [Extracted from the article]

Fertilizer companies, such as CF Industries, are increasingly focusing on ammonia as a low-carbon fuel. Ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizer, has the potential to replace fossil fuels and be used in electric generators, cargo ships, and even jet fuel. While ammonia burns clean, its current production generates a significant amount of carbon emissions. However, fertilizer companies are taking steps to reduce emissions and negotiate supply deals in order to position themselves in the clean-energy market. Ammonia is easier to store and ship compared to pure hydrogen, making it a more viable alternative fuel. The demand for clean ammonia is growing, with the shipping industry and power companies exploring its use. However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as scaling up production and reducing costs. [Extracted from the article]

Reports that Sony Corp. plans to roll out in the United States a line of rear-projection televisions based on a light-reflecting semiconductor chip. Similarities between these TVs and the high-end flat-panel TVs; Price of the new TVs, which are based on the technology called liquid crystal on silicon, or LCOS; Speculation about the competition in market for big TVs if the LCOS television is accepted in the U.S. market; Expected increase in the number of big TVs shipped to North America; Recent financial performance of Sony, noting that profits are sagging at its electronics division; Legacy of technological innovations at Sony, the company that invented the Trinitron TV and the Walkman.

The article reports on the decision of Citigroup Inc. to sell its North American Diners Club credit-card business in 2009. It cites the plan of Canadian lender Bank of Montreal to acquire the business which is expected to increase its corporate-card revenue to approximately 11 billion U.S. dollars. Bank of Montreal cited that Diners Club U.S. posted 7.8 billion dollars in card transactions in 2008. The purchase allows the bank to have an access to 6,000 corporate clients and over 100,000 small-business and rich professional cardholders, mostly in the U.S.