ecoENERGY WINNERS
National Resources Office of Energy Efficiency unveiled 2009 ecoENERGY awards for Vehicles. Fuel consumption data determined the winners. Awards were presented at the Canadian International Auto Show. Winners in lowest annual fuel cost were: Toyota Prius, mid-size car category, $820; Honda Civic Hybrid, compact car, $900; Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel, station wagon, $1,180; Smart Fortwo, two-seater car, $1,188; and Ford Escape Hybrid, special-purpose vehicle, $1,220. In all 11 awards were made.


FORECAST FOR CRUDE OIL PRICES
AJM Petroleum Consultants issued a crude oil price forecast for 2009 and beyond. According to AJM, prices of crude are expected to rise to $55 in 2009, $75 in 2010, $85 in 2011, and $95 in 2012 and stabilize at $100 (all in USD) in 2013. “With the current world recession influencing demand, there appears to be a surplus of supply, so much so that OPEC has tried to remove 4.2 million barrels per day from the market. Canadian oil sands projects are being delayed or cancelled,” said Ralph Glass, vice-president of operations, AJM. He added, “AJM believes the drop in demand will not be permanent.”