On May 20, 2015, by a narrow margin the left wing of the European Parliament successfully pushed through amendments to a proposed conflict minerals law that would, if enacted, be much more onerous and involve hundreds of thousands more European businesses in the process of tracking conflict minerals than the regulation proposed by the European Commission and supported by the Parliament’s International Trade Committee and industry.
When countries meet in Paris for the United Nations climate talks later this year, their representatives will come armed with the best data, research and ideas on how to reach a climate agreement and avert catastrophic climate change. But a new report from Rhodium Group, commissioned by Environmental Defense Fund, shows that countries have so… Keep reading →
Democrats and Republicans on a House panel are debating over energy spending levels for domestic agencies, clean water rules and guns on federal lands, implementing more than $1 trillion worth of spending bills..”The House Appropriations Committee has approved a $35 billion energy and water projects measure and a $77 billion bill funding the Department of… Keep reading →
The next winter is approaching fast in natural gas terms. While temperatures are slowly rising in the Northern Hemisphere and the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC hit peak bloom over the weekend, across the pond the EU Commission kicked off a fresh series of trilateral gas talks between Russia, the Ukraine… Keep reading →
In the final EU Energy Union document “A Framework Strategy for a Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy”, the European Commission recognized the importance of improving overall energy efficiency – “Member States [should] give energy efficiency primary consideration in their policies.” Miguel Arias Cañete, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy,… Keep reading →
The EU executive is to unveil radical and ambitious plans on Wednesday to establish a single European market in an attempt to weaken the Kremlin’s grip on Europe’s gas supplies. “The far-reaching scheme would also strengthen the power of Brussels against national energy regulators; boost consumer choice transnationally when buying electricity services; generate a bonanza… Keep reading →
German-Turkish-Russian ‘Energy Security Triangle’: Building Long-term Resilience while Defusing Geopolitical Tensions The recent Munich Security Conference in the Bavarian capital brought together – as it does every year – important decision-makers in international politics, including heads of state and government along with foreign and defense ministers to discuss “hot” foreign and security policy issues. This year’s… Keep reading →
Oil prices increased to their highest in nearly two months on Monday, following concerns over escalating conflict with Islamic State militants in Libya and threats to withhold exports from Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region. “Egypt bombed Islamic State targets inside Libya on Monday and Cairo renewed calls for a U.S.-led coalition to confront militants there a… Keep reading →
Last week, the European Commission held its first orientation debate on the Energy Union in the college of the Commission. “It was the first time that all commissioners together had an in-depth discussion on the issue. And I can tell you that there was very broad agreement on the main features of the future Energy… Keep reading →
Apple, Inc has finalized an historic $850 million agreement to purchase solar power from First Solar, the largest solar developer in the United States. “The deal will supply enough electricity to power all of Apple’s California stores, offices, headquarters and a data center, Cook said Tuesday at the Goldman Sachs technology conference in San Francisco.… Keep reading →
