[AP] – The West Virginia Coal Association is endorsing Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin in the race for U.S. Senate, calling him a leader with a long-standing commitment to the industry.
[at MarketWatch] – A survey showing manufacturing in the Chicago area rose pushes gold lower.
[TheStreet.com] – Gold prices were rallying Thursday as eurozone worries sparked safe-haven buying.
[at Reuters] – * Senate narrowly approves glacier-protection law * Law seen affecting Barrick s vast Pascua Lama project * President has said will not veto mining measure
[at Reuters] – * Trust holds 820,753 ounces of gold * Gold prices at record levels TORONTO, Sept 30 – Sprott Inc, the Canadian fund manager specializing in resource investments, said on Thursday the value of its physical gold trust had crossed the $1 billion mark with the metal at near-record prices.
[AP] – Consolidation within the shale gas industry will likely ramp up in the U.S., a Wood Mackenzie analyst said Thursday. The emergence of shale gas as a dependable, long-term source of natural gas has put pressure on the industry to re-evaluate their strategic positions, analyst Luke Parker said in a report.
[at MarketWatch] – U.S. Dept. of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Thursday released new regulations designed to improve drilling safety off the coast. These new rules and the aggressive reform agenda we have undertaken are raising the bar for the oil and gas industry s safety and environmental practices on the outer continental shelf, Salazar [...]
[AP] – Oil prices advanced again Thursday on upbeat economic news that could hint at improving demand for energy products. Benchmark oil for November delivery rose $1.04 to $78.90 a barrel in midday trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
[AP] – A former ethanol plant in Grafton has sold at auction for $525,000. The Grand Forks Herald reports the Alchem Ltd. plant was sold Wednesday to Jim Borchart, owner of New Germany, Minn.-based Borchart Steel Inc.
[at Financial Times] – The oil industry and the finance ministry are locked in a debate over taxes that could shape the economy for years to come.