Cairn Energy, the oil and gas explorer, has reported a second oil discovery off the coast of Senegal in West Africa. “The Edinburgh-based company described the find as “significant”, adding that the oil was of high quality. The discovery was made at its SNE-1 well in the Sangomar Deep block about 100km (62 miles)… Keep reading →
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IMPROVE GASIFICATION SYSTEMS, REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WASHINGTON–As part of the Administration’s all-of-the-above energy approach, the Department of Energy has selected four projects to receive funding for next-generation gasification systems that also reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Awardees will receive approximately $16 million to advance the gasification process, which converts carbon-based materials like… Keep reading →
On October 31, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released two plans related to climate change. The Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for flooding, rising sea levels, and extreme temperatures/weather patterns. These plans come five years after the 2009 Executive Order on Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance that set energy, climate, and environmental goals for government agencies. The release of the plans gave Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz an opportunity to outline how the use of clean energy resources, as part of the Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan, has been implemented within the Department. DOE has increased the number of buildings that achieved federal guiding principles for high performance and sustainable buildings. It has completed a biomass cogeneration facility in South Carolina and an 11.5 megawatt wind farm, both of which serve to reduce the use of non-renewable energy. DOE was also recognized as a 2014 GreenGov Presidential Award Winner for its work with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to produce a five percent reduction in DOT’s total fuel consumption, and a 20 percent increase in DOT’s use of alternative fuels.
In its assessment of EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan released this week, the North American Electric Reliability Association (NERC) says it will take more analysis to determine if the targets can be achieved in EPA’s time frame without affecting the reliability of the bulk power system. The NERC assessment, Potential Reliability Impacts of EPA’s Proposed Clean Power… Keep reading →
The NRC has resumed license renewals after a two-year suspension, bringing the number of commercial nuclear power plants with renewed licenses to 74. On October 29, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report highlighting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) resumption of license renewals, ending a two-year suspension on licensing decisions. The NRC resumed the… Keep reading →
A new report by the Climate Council reports that new investment in renewable energy in Australia has dropped by 70%. “In the last five years most countries around the world had accelerated action on climate change, with China and the United States two of the global leaders on the issue, the report, Lagging Behind: Australia… Keep reading →
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about the new lighting efficiency standards. Learn more about your lighting choices and find out how to shop for lights by lumens, not watts. Download our Lighting Myths and Facts fact sheet to learn more about your lighting choices and the new lighting standards. Why are… Keep reading →
There has been—appropriately—much attention given to the election and the impact it will have on control of the U.S. Senate. Given the possibility of a Republican-controlled Senate, we have also seen a flurry of analysis of what impact that change will have on various issues. But, in the energy and environment arena, there is an upcoming shift that will have a profound impact on the direction of public policy that is getting little attention: personnel changes at the White House.
Keystone Pipeline, Carbon Emission Rules, Natural-Gas Exports Expected to Receive Attention in GOP-Controlled Senate. Wall Street Journal: Next year’s GOP-controlled Senate is expected to come out strongly against President Barack Obama ’s most consequential energy and environment policies, with the likely majority leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, vowing to hold votes on the Keystone XL pipeline and legislation to pare… Keep reading →
Business-friendly clean energy policies in North Carolina continue to support the success of clean energy companies – boosting job growth and economic development. In the past 30 days alone, three corporate announcements illustrate the power of the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, which requires utilities to expand their use of renewable energy and energy efficiency,… Keep reading →
