European Union countries’ ongoing drive to increase natural gas supply diversity – and lessen reliance on Russia – hinges on new pipeline projects, particularly the Southern Gas Corridor that would transport gas from the Azerbaijan to the European continent. During the recent Caspian Forum held in New York City, EU Special Representative for Central Asia,… Keep reading →
On the heels of Europe’s economic crisis the continent finds itself paying more for dirtier, less reliable electric power, Eon’s chief executive Johannes Teyssen recently told the Financial Times. The chief of Germany’s largest utility described an American competitive advantage in energy that Europe is unlikely to replicate for several years, if at all. “There… Keep reading →
As global natural gas fundamentals shift – with Asian demand expected to significantly increase, the US importing less and exporting more – European countries seek secure and reliable long-term supply from a diverse group of producers. An ambitious pipeline project dubbed the Southern Gas Corridor is part of that vision. European utilities have successfully renegotiated… Keep reading →
The investment banking community recently picked up on this trend and the EIA’s latest Today In Energy post details greater coal use in the US power sector compared with last year. Although power generators’ fuel portfolios vary by region, at the national level, higher 2013 natural gas prices relative to coal prices motivate utilities to… Keep reading →
Quick Take: In July I alerted you that the nominee to replace Jon Wellinghoff as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Ron Binz, was likely to be good for smart grid and renewables but tough on coal. Now we’re learning that his nomination has “generated unprecedented interest and controversy” according to Brent Franzel… Keep reading →
Supporters of coal have called the planned new rules from the EPA on CO2 emissions from coal-fired power generation a war on coal and have pledged to fight the rule-making process. It is true that there will almost certainly not be a new coal-fired electric generating station built in the U.S. for at least the… Keep reading →
The US energy landscape today compared with 10 years ago is virtually unrecognizable, as the script with regard to import-dependent demand has been flipped to a potential export story. The seemingly moribund US natural gas industry characterized by decreasing reserves and production is now the apple of the world’s eye, with governments and private companies… Keep reading →
Energy forecasts rest on price assumptions, and price assumptions rest on shifting foundations, said Statoil Chief Economist Eirik Wærness at an event hosted by Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy this morning, where he presented the Norwegian company’s global energy outlook to 2040. No matter how good the data on how much the world… Keep reading →
Analysts at brokerage Sterne Agee find coal stocks moving upward based on several supporting factors including US natural gas/coal pricing dynamics, Chinese industrial data, European economic improvement and a bounce in emerging market currencies relative to the dollar. While overall US power generation is down year-on-year, more coal than natural gas was burned to generate… Keep reading →
The 40+ year-old Vermont Yankee Nuclear plant will shut down by Q4 2014 due to high cost structure and low natural gas and wholesale energy prices. On August 27, 2013, Entergy Corporation announced plans to close and decommission the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon, Vermont in Q4 2014, after the current fuel cycle. Once the plant… Keep reading →
