Ken Silverstein does a nice overview of the debate about whether natural gas helps or hurts climate change mitigation efforts. US carbon dioxide emissions are down, but “inexpensive [natural gas] deposits coupled with the relative ease of building new gas plants has come at a price — the foregoing of other fuels.” [Forbes]

Large energy companies are increasingly taking measures to strengthen cyber security, but their subcontractors may remain dangerously exposed to cyberattacks, offering an indirect entry point for hackers or viruses. [Fuel Fix]

Japan is mulling an overhaul of its nuclear sector that would put one operator at the helm of all its nuclear reactors. “Part of the profit from sales of the new company’s electricity would be funneled toward the cleanup of Tokyo Electric (9501) Power Co.’s wrecked Fukushima atomic station and victim compensation, which combined may cost more than 11 trillion yen ($112 billion).” [Bloomberg]