Google struck a deal for 407 MW of wind power – reportedly its largest clean energy contract to date – with MidAmerican Energy, a firm mostly owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. The power will be used at Google’s Iowa data center. “The deal includes both direct energy generation from MidAmerican’s wind farms and MidAmerican’s renewable energy certificates that are part of other wind projects. The deal is the latest to show how Google is evolving its business of contracting out and buying clean energy in various ways — including working with utilities, power companies, and clean power financiers.” [Gigaom]

Questions about safety and investment support for the Dominion’s Cove Point LNG liquefaction project came up at a recent local hearing. “‘Wall Street is nervous about this project,‘ said Tidwell, who indicated the louder the protests the more skeptical potential investors will become. Tidwell told the audience he had spoken with someone affiliated with the investment banking firm of Goldman Sachs who confided the project could be falling out of favor with investors and thus on shaky ground.” [The Baynet.com]

This piece details the status of Canada’s various oil and gas export projects. If all six currently-proposed oil pipelines are built – though unlikely – they would transport 3.2 million barrels of oil per day, four times more than the Keystone XL pipeline’s proposed capacity. Market dynamics, politics and First Nations input are all in play. [The National Interest]