Could implementing a widespread change in energy use be as simple as educating leadership? The US Navy’s top-down structure may provide an effective means of implementing broad, sweeping changes to energy use in one of the country’s largest institutions. The Naval Postgraduate School’s Energy Academic Group and Cebrowski Institute hosted a five-day training course for Naval… Keep reading →
An examination of liquid biofuels published in Strategic Studies Quarterly, a peer-reviewed journal for security professionals, has concluded that they fail to provide meaningful benefits when pitted against petroleum products. “The United States cannot achieve energy security through biofuels, and even the attempt is ironically achieving effects contrary to ‘clean’ and ‘green’ environmental goals and… Keep reading →
The US military’s efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels may help to advance emerging energy technologies by providing them with coveted assets, such as financial backing and testing opportunities. But there is no guarantee that these technologies, as applied to military-specific conditions, will be commercial successes in a civilian context. The Department of Defense holds an… Keep reading →
by Pete Danko Fuel cells are not a renewable energy source, of course, although they can be tied to renewable energy. But even using fossil fuels their ability to produce electricity through an electrochemical process – instead of combustion – can make them flexible, relatively clean and efficient energy producers. And quiet, too, the U.S.… Keep reading →
The US is the only country with an Arctic coastline that has not yet ratified the Law of the Sea Treaty, which could put it at a disadvantage in laying claim to what could be substantial resources on its outer continental shelf. The Law of the Sea Treaty – or more formally, the United Nations… Keep reading →
Spanish oil company Repsol and Argentina’s YPF are working through a bitter breakup in which the former is suing the Argentine government for $10.5 billion. Now Chevron is working with YPF to develop shale assets, much to Repsol’s chagrin. “It is scandalous that Chevron is acting in a way contrary to the law and to… Keep reading →
The U.S. military has said time and again that moving away from a reliance on fossil fuels is in its best interest, for energy security reasons and as a matter of keeping troops safe. Despite this, such efforts – particularly on the biofuels front – have caught flak from Republicans in Congress. But President Obama isn’t backing off, or so it… Keep reading →
Almost forty years ago, President Nixon exhorted the country: “By the year 1980, the United States will not be dependent on any other country for the energy we need to provide our jobs, to heat our homes, and to keep our transportation moving.” Today, more than 30 years later, the United States may actually be… Keep reading →
In case you missed them, here are some highlights from Breaking Energy this week. First things first… There’s a solar-powered boat! And a solar-powered plane! And they’re coming to NYC! We’re giddy. So are the guys on the boat. The multi-year downturn in natural gas drilling, caused by at times astonishingly low prices, may be… Keep reading →
A ‘Limited Strike’ On Syria? Considerations For Congressional Debate
By Breaking DefensePresident Obama has made it clear that Syria crossed a “red line” by using chemical weapons against its own people. The proposed remedy is to execute a limited strike to change the behavior of the Assad government, but without putting troops on the ground, without regime change or without an international stamp of approval. Congress… Keep reading →