Energy Roundup: Canadian Gas Pipeline Attacked, Toshiba Goes Solar and More

Canadian gas pipeline explosion — A “deliberate explosion” struck a gas pipeline operated by Canadian oil company Encana in western Canada over the weekend, police said yesterday. There were no injuries or gas leakage, but this was the fourth suspected attack on the Encana property in the Tomslake area of British Columbia. Investigations are ongoing. [Source: AFP]

Citgo halts its low-income heating assistance program — Venezuelan-owned, Texas-based oil subsidiary Citgo has suspended shipments of heating oil for low-income Americans, citing reduced oil prices and the global economic slowdown. The program, criticized as a ploy by Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez to undermine the Bush administration, gave fuel to 200,000 households in 23 states through a nonprofit. [Source: Boston Globe]

Electric vehicle charging stations debut in California — Electric-vehicle charging station start up Coulomb Technologies is introducing today three live electric-vehicle charging stations in center city San Jose, Calif. More will come online in coming weeks, the company said. [Source: Earth2Tech]

Toshiba will try solar energy business — Japanese manufacturer Toshiba announced today it has launched a photovoltaic systems division that will do business largely as a components supplier and by integrating solar-power plants into existing infrastructure. The company will likely use a variety of subsidiaries and existing products to develop partnerships in the crowded solar energy market. [Source: Earth2Tech]

Iran offers gas to Turkey — Iran is ready to offer larger gas exports to Turkey, which has seen its supply, like that of Europe, from Russia cut due to a disagreement on billing between Moscow and the Ukraine. Iran is second only to Russia in supplying natural gas to Turkey. [Source: AP]

California regulators push for energy-efficient TVs –  California legislation that would require retailers to stock only the most energy-efficient TVs is being met with opposition from industry representatives. Federal guidelines on TV efficiency have only recently been offered to consumers. [Source: Green Inc.]