Meter Reading (Sandy Edition): Aging Satellites = ‘Shaky’ Forecasting, Oil Impacts, and More

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Andy Becica stands on the beach watching the heavy surf from Hurricane Sandy wash in in, on October 29, 2012 in Cape May, New Jersey. Later today the full force of Hurricane Sandy is expected to hit the New Jersey coastline bringing heavy winds and floodwaters.

Dying Satellites Could Lead to Shaky Weather Forecasts – ”The United States is facing a year or more without crucial satellites that provide invaluable data for predicting storm tracks, a result of years of mismanagement, lack of financing and delays in launching replacements, according to several recent official reviews.” — New York Times

Oil firmer at $110 as Sandy shuts U.S. refineries – “Oil analysts said Sandy was likely to depress U.S. oil consumption as commuting and road transportation fell and flights to and from East Coast airports were canceled.” — Reuters

Utility commissioners decline calls for mandatory solar energy targets – “The Commission said it did not plan to support mandatory targets and investment for non-wind resources — such as solar and geothermal –  despite calls from environmentalists that these sources could relieve threats of an overburdened supply grid in the near future.” — Fuel Fix