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 →
The City of Chicago passed an ordinance September 11 requiring buildings with more than 50,000 square feet to report their energy use to a benchmarking tool and eventually to the public. The law, passed in a 32-to-17 vote, is part of the city’s overall efforts to reduce energy use in half of Chicago’s buildings 30… Keep reading →
Without stop-gap funding from congress by October 1st, the EPA could ‘Effectively Shut Down,’ leaving it with just a skeleton crew needed in case of emergency. The EPA has reportedly not shut down due to lack of funding since 1996. [AP] French oil major Total could sell its stake in giant Russian gas field Shtokman.… 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 →
We’re only eight months into the year, and utility-scale solar installations in the United States have already surpassed the total for all of last year. Data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [PDF] shows 1,774 megawatts of new Big Solar capacity as of the end of August – compared to 1,476 MW for the entire… Keep reading →
Saudi Arabia’s early history dates back 15,000 to 20,000 years, but the modern Kingdom, founded on this day in 1932, has since become the most powerful Opec member and the world’s most influential oil exporter. “Since King Abdulaziz Al-Saud established the modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932, its transformation has been astonishing…On September 23,… Keep reading →
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy just released a report ranking the 34 largest US cities on energy efficiency. “By considering both policies and energy performance, the City Scorecard reflects the current activities and historical legacies in each city, and as a result provides actionable information to policymakers and residents,” the group writes in… Keep reading →
Drilling for oil and gas on federal land is always controversial and now the debate is focused on a Utah wilderness area. [New York Times] Mineral rights disagreements reach the North Dakota Supreme Court. [Bismarck Tribune] A well-written discussion of oil price volatility and uncertainty, even if it doesn’t really say anything new. [Financial Times]… Keep reading →
A majority of companies say taxes and cost of living are not a barrier to doing business in the state. Five years after signing one of the nation’s most progressive pieces of energy legislation into law, Massachusetts continues to see strong growth in solar, wind, efficiency and high-technology jobs throughout the clean energy industry. The… Keep reading →
Forget Syria, Here’s a Real Oil Market Supply Concern
By Jared AndersonIt made for great headlines, but the Syrian conflict never posed a serious risk to global oil supplies. Syria’s domestic production has dwindled and civil war ground exports down to virtually nothing last year. Escalating violence in Egypt, however, presents much more serious global oil market risk. Insurgents displeased with the ouster of Muslim Brotherhood… Keep reading →