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Energy Department approves expanded LNG exports The Energy Department gave a terminal near Freeport, Tex., permission Friday to ship liquefied natural gas to Japan, providing a new outlet for rising U.S. production of shale gas despite qualms of environmentalists and many domestic manufacturers. The permit marks another step in the sudden reversal of fortune in the natural gas business. Less than five years ago, anticipating a worsening shortfall in domestic supplies of natural gas, the Freeport terminal on Quintana Island began operations as an import facility. But advances in hydraulic fracturing techniques have unlocked new supplies of natural gas from shale rock. Freeport, like other import terminals, now wants to spend $10 billion to retool the terminal so it can send gas abroad in liquefied form. US DOE Approves Second US LNG Export Project to Non-FTA Countries The US Department of Energy has authorized Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P. and FLNG Liquefaction, LLC (Freeport) to export LNG to so called non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) countries. Subject to environmental review and final regulatory approval, Freeport is conditionally authorized to export up to 1.4 (Bcf/d) for a period of 20 years. Despite lacking FTA, Japan to get U.S. LNG NEW YORK – The United States said Friday it will allow exports of domestically produced liquefied natural gas to Japan and other countries to which it is not bound by free-trade agreements, authorizing a plan to deliver shale and other gases from Texas. WTI Crude Rises on Speculation Growth Will Boost Demand West Texas Intermediate crude advanced to a one-week high on signals that global economic growth will accelerate, bolstering fuel consumption. Futures increased 0.9 percent as the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan preliminary index of consumer sentiment rose to 83.7 in May, higher than any projection in a Bloomberg survey. A government report yesterday showed Japanese gross domestic product grew 3.5 percent at an annualized pace, the most in a year. Soaring gasoline prices hurt Oklahoma City area retailers Ballard owns the Varsity Valero and Guzzlers convenience stores in Purcell. Two years ago, he spent $500 to upgrade his signs so they can display prices above $4. He said he hopes he doesn't have to use them. But with wholesale prices soaring as much as 70 cents a gallon in the past five weeks, there seems to be no end in sight. Convenience store owners throughout the state are facing the same challenge. Pemex Makes Third Ultra-Deep Find at Mexico Gulf Maximino Field Petroleos Mexicanos, the world’s fourth-largest oil producer, made its third ultra-deepwater discovery on the Mexican side of the Perdido basin in the Gulf of Mexico. Tests at the Maximino field where the crude was found are still being made and volumes are being assessed, Luis Ramos, a strategic planning manager at the Mexican state-owned oil producer’s exploration unit, told reporters in Rio de Janeiro today, declining to give any estimate. Afghanistan to begin first commercial oil production Afghanistan expects to begin the first commercial oil production in its history in a little under two months. The country's mining minister, Wahidullah Shahrani, has told the ABC processing will start at the Amu Darya basin in Afghanistan's north in July. The project is operated by the China National Petroleum Corporation and is expected to eventually supply Afghanistan with its domestic energy needs so it can stop importing oil. Afghanistan turns to Australia for mining expertise Australia could help Afghanistan develop its fledgling mining industry and tap into mineral and energy reserves estimated to be worth trillions of dollars. The country is eager to find a new source of revenue when international aid starts to decline and foreign forces withdraw next year. Liberia's Johnson-Sirleaf defends governance record Sirleaf, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and

Five reasons why the 4WD Syncro is the world's best adventure van, an homage by @maryslosson #goodstreets

Official: Another study shows young people not so keen on driving #green

Browsing through old postcards is one of my favorite pastimes. The photographs and illustrations document places and moments that once contained a level of value, importance and exuberant emotion. When a dear friend of mine, Jeremy Greene, initiated the photography series called Memphis Type, I saw this as a great opportunity to mimic the old postcard illustration style of landmarks through paintings. Not only do I have a passion for typography, I also have a great love for the city of Memphis. It is a city that embraces its history, culture and art and there’s a lot of opportunity and community here. In Memphis, you'll discover many small gems. My personal favorites are the spaces behind the local arcade where you'll find well-done graffiti, or the Peabody where you can find great old photographs, and of course all the great eateries, such as Trolley Stop Market and Earnestine & Hazel’s Bar and Grill. I created 11 paintings total from the Memphis Type series. Eight paintings have sold and two of the actual signs no longer exist. The goal of this project is to essentially preserve history through art, not just with an original painted art piece, but rather prints that can be accessible to anyone at an affordable price. The landmarks I've chosen to portray bare their own stories and many people have come to me to tell their own stories associated with the places they see in my paintings. I want to document Rubber Stamps because your local rubber stamp store most likely doesn’t exist anymore. I also want to be inspired by the stories from people like the old woman who told me Leahy’s was very special to her because she lived at that park for over 20 years and it was a good time in her life. Ultimately, I want the stories to continue. I want them to be passed on to loved ones and delivered to the next generation. These prints are a way to begin that process. With the help of Front Porch Art, I launched a Kickstarter project entitled “Prints for Preservation: A Project for Memphis History.” Front Porch Art does a great job of providing marketing support for artists, allowing them to tell the stories behind their artwork to anyone and everyone. They also sell artists’ work online and at local events. I was with them from the beginning of their launch. I helped them with branding and they’ve helped me market myself. I appreciate what they’re doing for the artistic community and this project. If you love Memphis and you’d like a little of its history to be preserved, please support our campaign. This project is part of GOOD's Saturday series Push For Good—our guide to crowdfunding creative progress.

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America?s first climate refugees: ?It?s happening now ? The village is sinking? #green

Probiotics are the naturally occurring “good” bacteria that live in your gut and play a significant role in your total wellness. When you’re healthy, your intestinal tract hosts over 100...

Why do you want a tiny bunk cabin on a trailer? Is it to put in your backyard for visitors or are you going to live in it? Tiny Bunk Cabin I don’t think this one’s big enough for most of us to live in but it can be used as a separate micro guest house. Or even for hobbies, the kids, or just a little getaway within your backyard. Enjoy the interior photos below: Tiny Bunkhouse Interior Bunk Beds and Storage What would you use a little bunkhouse like this for? Would you live in it, travel in it, would it be part of your ‘compound’ of tiny houses, or would it just be a little guest house out back? I’d love to hear your thoughts about how you’d use it in the comments. If you enjoyed this post you’ll also like our free tiny house newsletter. Original photos and info here.

Your husband attacks his plate of food like a starving hyena, complete with slurps and growls. That slowpoke driver in front of you won't move out of the fast lane — and you're nearly late for work....

Celia Ward, the author of A Woman’s Guide to Having It All, Life Lessons to Live By, said something in her book that jumped off the page and into my heart. Her words touched me so deeply I actually...