The big news today was an announcement that President Obama will not sign Keystone XL oil pipeline legislation currently working its way through congress. Interestingly, the announcement was made at the same time major oil and gas industry trade group American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard delivered the annual State of American Energy address, in… Keep reading →
Back in October 2014, EU leaders agreed on the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies – aimed at making both the EU economy and its energy system more sustainable, secure and competitive – with a ‘domestic’ 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of at least 40 per cent compared to 1990 levels. Here, the… Keep reading →
The smart grid has been slow to materialize for a combination of factors including investment challenges, but 2014 featured some important advances. “But these challenges also helped define the opportunities for companies, utilities and regulators working on building the next stage of smart grid — a “smart grid 2.0,” if you will. From building on… Keep reading →
The renewable energy sector is dynamic, with advancing technology and evolving policy. As 2015 beckons, here are some of the key questions that Portland, Oregon-based contributor Pete Danko will be asking as about U.S. renewables. 1) Is The PTC Winding Down or Dead? The wind industry won a small victory just before Congress went home,… Keep reading →
Randy Knowles figures he’s moving in the right direction. “They used to call me crazy,” he said with a self-effacing chuckle. “Now they’re calling me audacious.” For well over a decade, the Klickitat (Washington) Public Utility District commissioner has promoted building a big pumped storage project off-stream from the Columbia River at the John… Keep reading →
Researchers from the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) found in a new study assessing the life cycle air quality impacts on human health of 10 alternatives to conventional gasoline vehicles “that electric vehicles (EVs) powered by electricity from natural gas or wind, water, or solar power are best for improving air quality, whereas vehicles powered by… Keep reading →
Ed. note: This is a new weekly column by Elie Mystal, Managing Editor of Above the Law Redline. This space will focus on the laws that exist, should exist, and should be put out of their misery. UNDER-REGULATED Ancient Aliens: Here’s a dirty secret, I watch Ancient Aliens all the time. Yes, I know that… Keep reading →
First Wind CEO Paul Gaynor once likened federal tax credits to “heroin” for the wind power industry. And you know what happens when a junkie doesn’t get his fix. With the $1.1 trillion “Cromnibus” passed and sent on to the president, and the House home for the holidays, the Senate was left with “tax extenders” legislation that… Keep reading →
Greenpeace is known for staging elaborate stunts aimed at bringing attention to their causes, but they made a major boo boo when demanding action on climate change by defacing an ancient archeological site in Peru. A group of environmental activist tramped into a protected area that features the famous Nazca lines, a UNESCO World Heritage… Keep reading →
This is the latest installment in our Energy Startup Series that gives executives at cutting-edge energy firms an opportunity to share insights and experiences about the energy industry, their careers and their companies. With a background in finance and advising multinational companies, Mark Borman has found his calling at an innovative wind turbine company out of… Keep reading →
