Here’s an interesting look at the Los Angeles region’s long oil production history. One surprising photo shows drilling rigs lining the Long Beach oceanfront in the 1950’s, a level of industrial development that would be anathema today. However, local communities adapted over time to oil development infrastructure in their midst and the still-producing reservoirs now feature various methods of disguise, like faux office buildings that hide production activity. [The Atlantic]

Speaking at a conference in Colorado, GE CEO Jeff Immelt touted America’s newfound natural gas-related competitive advantage. “I can tell you for a fact that the cost for electricity for a steel mill in Texas vs. Europe is maybe half to a third the cost today.  So you have a tremendous competitive advantage…. This is potentially a great economic driver for the United States.” [Watchdog Wire]

The Rocky Mountain Institute highlights community support groups that help low-income households install solar power systems which save money on electric bills. “’Low-income families pay into the rebate pool like everyone else. Yet often, even with rebates, they can’t afford a solar home system,’ Shirley Moore, program manager at Grid Alternatives, told RMI. Grid Alternatives, or simply Grid, as it is fondly called, is a nonprofit organization providing low- to no-cost PV systems to low-income families throughout California, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.” [CleanTechnica]