Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans allow property owners to finance clean energy improvements to their properties generally secured by property liens senior to mortgages through tax assessments. Moody’s recently released a special comment expressing some concerns and not-so-subtle hints that it thinks that lenders and securitizers should take PACE programs seriously.
For a stark on-the-ground report from Williston, North Dakota – widely considered the hub of Bakken Shale oil & gas development – read this story written by Brooklyn-based freelance journalist Laura Gottesdiener. The piece provides a glimpse inside the North American oil & gas production boom that often gets lost in the maze of production… Keep reading →
The third volume of NRC’s safety evaluation report on the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository finds that DOE’s design meets its post-closure performance objectives. On October 16, 2014, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published Volume 3 of its Safety Evaluation Report (SER) on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) license application for the proposed underground geologic… Keep reading →
The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – represent Black & Veatch’s current focus in the Middle East. This is a fast-growing region. The demographic changes the GCC is going through – population growth, industrialisation and urban migration – are all stimulating demand for power.… Keep reading →
Natural gas supply negotiations between Russia’s Gazprom and Ukraine’s Nagtogaz appear to be inching closer to a deal. In fact, the two sides have agreed on a price of $385 per thousand cubic meters, but payment details now appear to be a sticking point. “If the Ukrainians have the money, then the documents will be signed. If not,… Keep reading →
For many of us, our first pivotal encounters with science happened at museums. These visits created lasting impressions, inspiring us to discover more about the world around us. It’s no wonder that science and technology museums around the globe host hundreds of millions of visitors each year. For me, it was a series of dioramas… Keep reading →
As expected, this week blew through the Columbus Day holiday and into a flurry of legislative activity. Dozens of bills went back and forth between the chambers this week, and many have already landed on the governor’s desk. Additionally, the Corbett administration announced a resolution in the five-year dispute over Mcare fund transfers and assessments.
Despite the long days and daily – sometimes multiple – Rules Committee meetings, there still isn’t quite enough time to get everything crossed off the legislative to-do list. While big-ticket items like pension reform and liquor privatization have fallen into the dust heap of this session’s history, the two chambers are wrapping up other last minute details, some of which stand to have significant impact in the areas of health care and human services, economic development and tax credits. Both the House and the Senate added a voting session day. Originally, the House and Senate were both to have adjourned until after the November 4 election as of Wednesday, but the Senate added Thursday, October 16 as a voting day, and the House added Monday, October 20.
Courtesy of Aries Residence Suites
The energy industry – oil & gas sector in particular – is bracing itself for a massive wave of retirements over the short to medium term, which has been dubbed “The Great Shift Change.” As the industry prepares for this turnover, companies are looking to the next generation of candidates with skills ranging from finance,… Keep reading →
Editorial: Australian-Japanese Coal ‘Partnership’ and Why Global Coal is Here to Stay
By Roman KilisekRecently, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott warned at the opening of the Caval Ridge coal mine in Queensland against the “demonization of coal.” According to the Sydney Morning Herald, PM Abbott stressed that “coal is good for humanity, coal is good for prosperity, coal is an essential part of our economic future, here in… Keep reading →