Hurricane Ike’s arrival on the Texas coast pumps gasoline prices; Democrats prepare to capitulate on offshore drilling; and treeless paper hits stores shelves.

Gasoline Prices Spike on Ike: Wholesale gasoline prices have jumped to almost $5 a gallon along the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Ike takes aim at the Galveston and Houston area. The region is home to 23 percent of the United States’ oil production capacity, much of which was shuttered two weeks ago in advance of Hurricane Gustav. Motorists report spot prices up about 20 cents per gallon around the Houston area. Nationally, the price of gas has only climbed a few cents a gallon since Monday. (Businessweek)

Democrats Reluctantly Embrace Offshore Drilling: Congressional Democrats seemed poised to capitulate on two decades of opposition to offshore oil and gas drilling. The move comes during a tight election year, spurred by a concerted effort by Republicans and petroleum industry lobbyists to make drilling a front-burner issue. While critics point out new drilling would do nothing to lower consumer pump prices, supporters are pressing for an agreement to allow offshore platforms within 50 miles of states which welcome development, and 100 miles out anywhere in unprotected U.S. waters. (New York Times)

Honda reveals its plans for Paris: More run-up to the Paris Auto Show. Honda says it will be displaying at least three eagerly anticipated models: the all-new Insight hybrid concept car, the European-trim Jazz (known elsewhere as the Fit), and a revamped Civic hybrid. The Jazz will be shown off with its new fuel-saving 1.4 i-SHIFT Automated Manual Transmission and several engine variants. Also on tap: a demo of the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, and CR-Z concept design which might form the basis of Honda’s next hybrid models. (Autoblog Green)

Chicago Company Launches Tree Free Paper: How about paper made entirely without trees? A company called GPA is bringing to market a paper replacement made from limestone, calcium carbonate, and a bit of resin and high density polyethylene. Ultra Green won’t yellow or become brittle with age, is entirely printable, and resists most things that stain or scuff paper. Since it’s produced withouta grain, the film supports high quality color printing. (Triple Pundit)

Sunflowers: A Fuel of the Future? Sunflowers are already being used to produce biodiesel, but now Georgia researchers are investigating their potential as a stock for cellulosic ethanol. A University of Georgia team is taking up a three-year study of Silverleaf and Algodones Dune sunflowers, which have woody stems and can grow over 20 feet tall. The US Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense are among the backers of the program, which will attempt to genetically modify wild varieties of the sunflower for possible commercial cultivation. (Clean Technica)

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