Oil prices post their biggest one-day price gain of all time, the EPA blows-off perchlorate heath concerns; and PC buyers may soon see a better Energy Star.

Oil prices make historic gain: The price of crude oil achieved a historic spike Monday, leaping a record $16.37 a barrel in a single day’s trading. Contracts for October light, sweet crude closed at $120.92 per barrel on tight inventories and fears that the U.S. government’s massive banking bailout will seriously weaken the dollar. Investors are increasingly looking to oil as a safe place to put their money, given steady worldwide demand and the intrinsic value of petroleum. (USA Today)

EPA against limiting rocket fuel ingredient in water: Environmental and health advocates say they are angered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement that they see no reason to rid drinking water of perchlorate, a common ingredient in rocket fuel. A draft regulatory document regarding perchlorate was made available to the Associated Press Monday. Low levels of perchlorates have been detected in 35 states, prompting calls for more stringent regulation of their industrial use. Perchlorates are known to impact human health by interfering with the function of the thyroid gland. (CNN)

Toyota A-BAT concept could head to production while Tundra diesel stalls: While other companies are exploring clean diesel and plug-in technologies to raise fleet economy, Toyota is clearly putting all its eggs into the hybrid basket. Now Toyota is said to be considering bringing its hybrid-powered A-BAT compact pickup to market. The zoomy small truck is seen as a successor to the popular Tahoma. Toyota first previewed the A-BAT pickup this year at the Detroit Auto Show. (Autoblog Green)

Brazil’s Bet: Ethanol Surpasses Gasoline in Brazil: Ethanol has apparently overtaken gasoline as the fuel of choice in Brazil. While much of the world is backpedaling on food-based ethanol, Brazil — as a major producer — has now transitioned over half of its domestic consumption from petroleum to biofuel. For Brazilian drivers, there’s also an economic incentive: ethanol currently costs less than half the price of conventional gasoline. (WSJ)

PC Buyers Might Get Efficiency Tags to Help with Computer Purchases: Buyers may soon have a better way to compare the energy efficiency of personal computers. Treehugger reports that the next generation of Energy Star standards contain language which would standardize how devices such as computers might be rated. Right now, few standards exist — leaving PC buyers scratching their heads of a variety of often conflicting marketing claims. (Treehugger)

Stories You Might Also Like: