We all want easy answers. And often times the harder the question, the easier we want the answer to be. Increased natural gas use, for example, can help decrease U.S. greenhouse gas emissions as it has a lower carbon content compared to coal or oil. Natural gas also can help transition our energy mix to… Keep reading →
Falling oil prices are bringing down prices of high-risk bonds many companies used to finance their capital intensive unconventional drilling programs. “Most of that decline has occurred in the last 30 days. It’s already making it harder for oil companies to reach out to the financial markets to fund more of their drilling operations, as… Keep reading →
Energy Secretary Moniz Announces Formation of Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group Partnership to Deepen Relationship Around Critical Nuclear Energy Issues WASHINGTON—Building on President Obama’s commitment to strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Tribal Nations, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz today announced the formalization of the Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group (NETWG), providing a forum for Tribal Leaders… Keep reading →
As noted in previous updates, the United States and European Union continue to impose sanctions against Ukrainian and Russian individuals and entities as a result of the turmoil in Ukraine. On 11 December 2014, the US Senate passed the Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014 (S. 2828) (hereinafter the “Act”), which would significantly expand the scope of US economic sanctions against Russia if it became law. In addition, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control recently released additional guidance regarding the scope of existing US sanctions involving Ukraine and Russia.
Greenpeace is known for staging elaborate stunts aimed at bringing attention to their causes, but they made a major boo boo when demanding action on climate change by defacing an ancient archeological site in Peru. A group of environmental activist tramped into a protected area that features the famous Nazca lines, a UNESCO World Heritage… Keep reading →
Near the end of his appearance on the “Colbert Report” earlier this week, President Obama tells host Stephen Colbert that getting things done is the real satisfaction he takes from his job: “I love the job, and it’s an incredible privilege. But when you’re in it you’re not thinking about it in terms of titles.… Keep reading →
The energy industry is many things, chief among them, a source of technological innovation and mobile communications. Indeed, far from the cinematic depiction of roughnecks and oil-smeared men in assorted hard hats, as well as truck drivers and workers with frayed shirt collars hauling propane across vast stretches of the Interstate, these same individuals are… Keep reading →
U.S.-based energy companies are mostly failing to disclose their management of hydraulic fracturing operations that could have negative environmental impacts, according to a survey published last Thursday. The survey, by a group of investment advisers and shareholder advocacy organizations, found about three-quarters of 30 oil & gas companies surveyed are not fully disclosing their practices… Keep reading →
The FERC has conditionally approved the proposed Constitution Pipeline Project and related interconnection facilities to enhance natural gas supply options to New York and New England. On December 2, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) conditionally granted Constitution Pipeline Company LLC’s application for authorization to construct and operate an approximately 124-mile, 30-inch pipeline from… Keep reading →
Editorial: Fossil Fuel Divestment is a Diversion from Real Solutions
By Dr. Roger MeinersMany people believe fossil fuels cause climate change. The science of that issue is not settled and, as an economist, I am not qualified to address multi-decade climatology. However, for those who believe public policy should address the matter, the strategy of attacking fossil fuel companies is profoundly wrong. As a part of the campaign,… Keep reading →