A state-owned Chinese oil major has been caught violating provincial and local environmental laws. The size of the fine incurred however, points to evidence that these mega energy companies still have more sway within the country than local laws and government officials tasked to enforce those laws. Late last week, Chinese media reported that… Keep reading →
Senator Lindsey Graham is among the few Republicans in Congress who are willing to admit that climate change is real and must be addressed. He is encouraging his fellow Republicans to have an open debate on the issue. “When it comes to climate change being real, people in my party are all over the board,”… Keep reading →
Former Secretary of State George P. Shultz is urging climate change doubters to at least take out an insurance policy when it comes to carbon emissions and climate change. Shultz argues for sustained support for energy research and development along with a carbon tax. In an opinion piece in the Washington Post, Shultz described the… Keep reading →
To the chorus of voices sounding the alarm on the broken Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) – AAA, automakers, outdoor power equipment manufacturers, marine manufacturers, turkey and chicken producers, restaurant companies, grocery manufacturers, environmental non-profits and anti-hunger groups – add another: the advanced biofuels industry. Given the fact the RFS was designed to encourage development of… Keep reading →
Apparently not content with the four Pinocchios he recently earned from the Washington Post for statements on the Keystone XL pipeline, President Obama last week put in a bid for five with remarks aimed at the project’s environmental impact. At an appearance in South Carolina, the president termed “extraordinarily dirty” the methods used to develop… Keep reading →
Natural Gas Inventory Exceeds Five-Year Average for First Time Since Nov. 2013 EIA Today in Energy: Working natural gas in storage has surpassed five-year average levels for the first time in more than a year. At 2,157 billion cubic feet (Bcf) as of February 13, stocks are 58 Bcf greater than the five-year average. Recent… Keep reading →
Some interesting perspective on New York’s decision to ban hydraulic fracturing – from neighboring Pennsylvania, where safe fracking has lifted the state economy while directly benefiting cities and towns all across the commonwealth. Jeffrey Sheridan, press secretary for Governor-elect Tom Wolf’s transition team (to the Philadelphia Business Journal): “Governor-elect Wolf opposes a ban, and he… Keep reading →
Well, that’s actually a hybrid quote from opposite ends of the fracking spectrum that came alive today when New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the state would move to ban hydraulic fracturing. “Today Governor Cuomo did the right thing for New Yorkers by listening to experts and issuing a ban on fracking. This victory for… Keep reading →
Plans to turn Philadelphia city into an “energy hub” where natural gas from the Marcellus Shale would be pumped, processed, exported and used as fuel by manufacturers, were given a high-profile sales pitch at a one-day conference in the city last Friday. The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and Philadelphia Energy Solutions, a local refiner,… Keep reading →
Although the NC General Assembly adjourned last summer it is customary to allow some laws that require lead time for implementation to go into effect on December 1st. The following is a list of NC laws that are new today:
