Extreme cold in the US is testing power generators and grid operators like PJM who are asking customers to reduce consumption during peak demand periods. At the same time, utilities are being pressured by shareholders to close coal plants, thus increasing natural gas reliance. This piece sums up the situation in the Pittsburgh area. [Pittsburgh… Keep reading →
This piece argues the US should not export crude oil and instead moderate production volumes in an effort to preserve the country’s natural resource endowment over the longer term. It also contends exports would increase domestic crude and product prices. “The real question for the United States is not about optimal trade policy or economic… Keep reading →
Last year, the trade association for the utility industry, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), published a whitepaper on the disruptive challenges facing the utility industry. In summary, EEI’s thesis was that the existing utility business model (centralized, fossil-fuel based generation) is under threat from on-site, distributed generation as more customers switch to cleaner, and often cheaper, solar power. The… Keep reading →
Diversity of energy sources and uses guarantees that every year will bring some new, notable developments, and 2013 was no exception. In the US hydraulic fracturing lifted the output of crude oil and natural gas to such an extent that in 2013 the country became, once again, the world’s largest producer of hydrocarbons (the USSR… Keep reading →
It is the time of the year again – Davos in Switzerland is playing host to the 2014 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. This is arguably the world’s most influential gathering of business and political leaders, economists and anybody else who thinks he or she has a big idea for improving the state… Keep reading →
The fortunes of natural gas will increasingly drive electricity pricing as it continues to displace coal, Black & Veatch forecasts in the latest Energy Market Perspective. Black & Veatch’s long-term forecast on electric power assumes a moderate economic rebound driving demand at a projected growth rate of 1.1% from 2013 through 2038. Growth in peak… Keep reading →
Corporate social responsibility and ESG – environment, social and governance – issues are playing a more prominent role in corporate strategies as investors push the agenda through shareholder resolutions and other means. It’s no longer enough for companies to simply publish glossy sustainability reports, while continuing to chart a business as usual course. First Energy,… Keep reading →
A Japan Airlines flight was grounded after smoke was discovered coming from the battery system. Roughly one year ago, Dreamliners worldwide were grounded due to overheating batteries that caught fire. “”We are making sure of the safety of every plane before its departure. We will continue regular flights (with Dreamliners),” company spokesman Norihisa Hanyu said.… Keep reading →
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published its proposed standards of performance for greenhouse gases emitted from new electric utility steam generating units and stationary combustion turbines on January 8, 2014, opening up a 60-day public comment period. The publication puts to rest rumors that the EPA was reconsidering the pre-publication version of the rule signed… Keep reading →
A proposed natural gas pipeline to supply the B.L. England power plant in Cape May County that would have run through the environmentally-sensitive Pinelands region was rejected last week. The power plant is switching from coal to natural gas and it’s unclear whether an alternative supply source has been identified. [New York Times] Kenya is… Keep reading →
