New York

Shale Gas Industry Hails Gains Despite Continued Attacks

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Supporters and opponents of shale gas development resumed their war of words on Thursday as Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry gathered for Shale Gas Insight, its annual forum on the development of the Marcellus Shale, one of America’s biggest gas reserves.

Industry and government leaders argued that fracking for natural gas can and is being done without endangering public water supplies, and that industry is taking increasing steps to ensure that fracking chemicals don’t seep in to groundwater. Keep reading →

 /  Published September 21, 2012 at 11:45 AM

NY Fracking Plan May Boost Local Opposition to Gas Industry

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo

A reported plan by New York State government to allow natural gas drilling in a handful of counties may represent an effective lifting of the state’s moratorium on fracking but increases the chances that energy companies will run into local opposition, analysts said. Keep reading →

 /  Published June 14, 2012 at 12:15 PM

What Does it Mean to be a High Performance Building?

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According to the US Energy Information Administration, 47% of all greenhouse gas emissions are from existing buildings. From a global perspective, reducing energy consumption in buildings is imperative for a sustainable future.

So when property owners and managers transform an existing facility into one that’s a high-performance building, what does that mean? Essentially, it means doing more with less. High-performance buildings are energy efficient, and therefore, easier and more affordable to operate and maintain. They provide healthier and more comfortable workspaces, making them more attractive to tenants and more desirable to own. Keep reading →

 /  Published April 27, 2012 at 8:00 AM

Smart Grid in Far-Flung Places

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In today’s interconnected energy world, it’s not easy for islands and remote communities, cut off from the ready energy supply of big grids, pipelines and superhighways. Witness the international drama last winter when Nome, Alaska became ice-locked and only secured fuel because of an elaborate sea effort by Russia and the US.

Dependent on the outside world for fossil fuels, places like Nome face not only shortages, but also sky-high energy prices. Some residents of Nome spend 45% of their income on energy. Similarly, Hawaiians pay more than twice as much for electricity as Californians. Keep reading →

 /  Published April 2, 2012 at 12:00 PM

Dig This: Underground Park Sought for Manhattan

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From Kickstarter, the online platform that transforms design concepts into consumer products, comes an idea for transforming an abandoned underground trolley terminal in Manhattan into the nation’s first underground green space. And while it won’t be the first underground park in the world-that honor may lie with Shanghai-it will be the first underground recreational space in the U.S. (commercial space first prize goes to Kansas City, Mo).

Given the population density of Manhattan, and the difficulty finding existing housing, it’s not surprising that someone would want to take the fun underground. After all, there is a New York High Line-a complete park built on a repurposed elevated rail line. Why not a Low Line? Keep reading →

 /  Published March 19, 2012 at 2:00 PM

A Smarter Grid for Natural Gas, Power, Water – Even Renewables

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Smart grid technology benefits everyone from utilities to consumers and a business case can be made for the large capital investment required to get us there.

That’s the message eMeter Co-Founder and CTO, Larsh Johnson gave Breaking Energy during a recent interview. Energy and infrastructure giant Siemens acquired eMeter in January 2012. Keep reading →

 /  Published March 19, 2012 at 11:30 AM

Building On Its History: A Profile Of ‘Engagement’ At The Oil And Gas Lobby

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API President & CEO, Jack Gerard

Most in the energy business know the American Petroleum Institute as a Washington DC-based oil and natural gas industry lobby, but some may be surprised to learn the organization’s first initiatives were the creation of an authoritative statistics program and an industry standardization drive. Keep reading →

 /  Published March 15, 2012 at 12:30 PM

API Taking The National Fracking Discussion To The States

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The debate surrounding the use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling as part of oil and natural gas development has certainly reached the national stage, but the American Petroleum Institute – the industry lobby – has not lost sight of stakeholders at the state level.

The group is holding a series of workshops in various cities throughout the country designed to educate interested parties about how API creates industry standards and guidance. When followed by drillers and contractors, those practices are intended to ensure safety and responsible environmental stewardship. Breaking Energy attended one of these workshops earlier this month in the New York the state capital of Albany. Keep reading →

 /  Published March 13, 2012 at 2:30 PM

Data At The Heart Of New York City Energy Efforts

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I work in the basement of my senior year dormitory. This is a lot cooler than it sounds, though – just a few months after graduating from Columbia last spring in Environmental Engineering, I found myself working for a small energy consulting firm that counts my Alma Mater as one of its clients. Before heading back to graduate school to study policy next fall, I am spending time working to better understand real world operational structures and logistical constraints of addressing energy challenges. My job with a small energy consulting firm allows me to see the impact of New York energy policies on our clients’ operations and decision-making processes.

One policy, or rather set of policies, stands out: Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC, in particular the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan. In my experience dealing with the energy portfolios of Columbia and our other clients (mostly hospitals) I see it succeeding for a few reasons – 1) that its requirements are ambitious, yet both achievable and desirable 2) it spurs innovation and creates new opportunities for self-sustaining growth, and 3) it is part of a broader, long-term vision for sustainability in NYC. Emphasizing a strong impact on building energy use is essential given that buildings are responsible for 75% of energy use in the city. Keep reading →

 /  Published February 23, 2012 at 9:00 AM

States Toughen Fracking Rules Ahead Of EPA

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The hydraulic fracturing technology that opened vast US natural gas shale resources could be snared in what one analyst calls “a regulatory race to the top.”

The industry is arguing that regulation of hydraulic fracturing should stay at the state level, where it is traditionally managed. Environmentalists disagree, saying the states’ record is spotty and tougher federal standards are needed. The Environmental Protection Agency is studying the issues, and aims for proposed rules in 2014. Keep reading →

 /  Published January 18, 2012 at 6:00 AM
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