A Conversation on Carbon: How two seemingly opposed forces from ExxonMobil and Sierra Club united over a carbon tax David Bailey and David Bookbinder have an interesting story. At one time, these two climate experts were at odds with each other, working on opposite sides of the tracks—Bookbinder worked as the chief climate counsel for… Keep reading →
DOE has announced improvements to its Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing loan program to clarify eligibility criteria and increase responsiveness to applicants. On April 2, 2014, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced improvements to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Legislative Summit. The… Keep reading →
Chinese firms are becoming increasingly competitive in the global oil field services market, undercutting South Korean and Singaporean suppliers while gaining business from the majors. “Manufacturing energy equipment is an expensive, labour-intensive and lengthy process, and with global energy firms trying to cut costs, the affordability of the services offered by Chinese firms has trumped… Keep reading →
The solar industry is rapidly expanding, providing enough clean electricity to power millions of homes across the country. Still, solar variability — fluctuations in solar power output based on the availability of sunlight — presents a challenge for the continued expansion of the industry. Some aspects of solar variability (think sunrise and sunset) are simple… Keep reading →
As tension in Ukraine ratchets up, investors and business leaders with regional interests are closely monitoring their risk profiles. What would return to a Cold War era geopolitical landscape mean? Western oil companies like BP, ExxonMobil and Shell with extensive Russian operations are certainly asking this question. Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier recently weighed in… Keep reading →
The story of the impact of oil and natural gas production story in Ohio is old – and new. Old in the sense the state was one of the country’s earliest producers of oil and natural gas. But also new, because development of the Utica Shale play in the past few years is responsible for… Keep reading →
Sunverge sees a future in building and managing customer energy-storage systems as utility assets. Ken Munson, CEO of Stockton, Calif.-based startup Sunverge Energy, doesn’t want you to think of his company’s product as a “battery in a box,” backing up a roof full of solar panels — even if that’s one very accurate way to describe… Keep reading →
In parched California, desalination of seawater is becoming an increasingly attractive option for potable water. In Saudi Arabia, more than two dozen desal plants already provide some 70 percent of the water used in cities. Australia, too, has in recent years embraced salt removal as a path to assuring the availability of drinking water. You… Keep reading →
Recently, the White House took a crucial stride to tackle methane pollution and natural gas waste. A key aspect of the strategy tasks the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with enacting policy to reduce emissions from the oil and gas industry. Yesterday, EPA formally initiated its process, issuing five white papers focused on the biggest opportunities to cut the industry’s… Keep reading →
New York Governor Cuomo yesterday announced awards totaling $4.3 million to 17 businesses that are helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation while increasing energy efficiency. “Transportation is responsible for three-fourths of the State’s fossil fuel use and 40 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1996, NYSERDA has provided $93 million to 246 businesses performing… Keep reading →
