New figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration show the United States remained the world’s No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas in 2015, a position the U.S. has held since 2012: Several important points here, supporting the idea that U.S. world energy leadership is a big thing. First, U.S. production of oil and… Keep reading →
The third in a series of posts on the intersection of energy development and policy and the pursuit of climate goals. Last week: The Clean Power Plan’s flawed approach in the energy sector and the role of increased natural gas use in improving air quality. Today: The impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard and federal… Keep reading →
In the US, total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the transportation sector (27 percent in 2013) are closely trailing greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector (31 per cent in 2013). According to the US EPA, the majority of such transportation-related CO2 emissions result from the “combustion of petroleum-based products, like gasoline, in internal combustion… Keep reading →
The global coal industry continues to expand with new coal-fired power plants planned or being built throughout the developing world, especially in Asia where coal remains the preferred low-cost fuel option for power generation. Building up coal mining operations, constructing new coal-fired power plants and developing infrastructure requires billions of dollars in initial investments. Where… Keep reading →
Lindsey Graham has had a bit of a confused relationship with climate change. In 2009, he joined with his then-Senate colleagues John Kerry and Joe Lieberman in crafting a climate bill, only to withdraw his support when it came time to make a big push for it. But it looks like Candidate Graham – he announced… Keep reading →
As a theoretical construct, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) seemingly has a lot to offer. Foremost, it would allow mankind to continue the uninhibited burning of fossil fuels while at the same time ‘saving’ the climate by ‘removing’ CO2 emissions from the atmosphere – the latter being the main reason why CCS is frequently mentioned… Keep reading →
Natural gas can deliver substantial carbon emissions reductions when displacing coal, and the United States has taken good advantage of it in the past several years. But the U.S. experience might be “one moment in time and space,” says Stockholm Environment Institute senior scientist Michael Lazarus, lead author of a new paper [PDF] on gas and… Keep reading →
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently called for “climate proofing” – to borrow a term used by Preety Bhandari, who heads ADB’s Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Unit – low-lying or coastal cities in Asia requiring the trifecta of sound integrated planning, adequate resources and political commitment. “The battle against climate change is likely… Keep reading →
Fundamental scientific research lies at the heart of many energy-related breakthroughs that ultimately disrupt established social and economic systems. It can be overwhelming to look at the world’s looming energy and climate challenges, but Dr. Franklin (Lynn) Orr, Under Secretary for Science and Energy at the US Department of Energy remains optimistic despite the complexity… Keep reading →
A quarter of the nation’s electricity would still come from coal in 2030, so it’s hard to view the Obama administration’s proposed Clean Power Plan as the wholesale remaking of the U.S. power sector that the increasingly dire science on global warming would seemingly compel. Nevertheless, a new U.S. Energy Information Administration analysis shows the… Keep reading →
