The western boundary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, located on Alaska’s North Slope, has been redrawn and 2 oil and gas exploration leases pending since 2011 have been awarded. There has been a longstanding discrepancy with regard to ANWR’s western boundary – covering roughly 20,000 acres – with US Fish & Wildlife Service maps… Keep reading →
From a rooftop in sunny California, a Breaking Energy writer learns about the need for a national solar policy targeting low-income families. The sun was rising quickly as I drove down I-580 to a part of Oakland that has yet to attract a significant influx of Silicon Valley’s high-tech workers and the gentrification that follows. … Keep reading →
While the growth of rooftop solar is accelerating, the majority of Americans believe they cost too much to seriously consider. Their attitudes changed substantially after they were acquainted with solar leasing programs, according to a new survey from sustainability communications and consulting firm EnviroMedia. “It’s no surprise we found 70% of Americans perceived ‘cost’ was a barrier… Keep reading →
While oil prices have stabilized for the moment and associated doomsday scenarios have slowed, here’s a detailed analysis of the interplay between various commodity prices and some of the investment decisions petrochemical companies, producers and LNG businesses face. “Indeed, even international buyers of natural gas were aggressively pursuing hub based gas pricing contracts with view… Keep reading →
Winter is coming! As temperatures drop and trees change color — and people around the country prepare their homes for the cold weather ahead — the Department of Energy has got you covered with tips for saving energy and keeping cozy all winter long. Did you know space heating is the largest energy expense in… Keep reading →
Well, if you have a 401 (k), IRA or pension, then chances are US oil and gas company stock is part of that investment strategy. According to a study released today, 65.5% of US-based oil and gas company shares are owned by individual investors mostly as part of pension funds or retirement accounts. The study… Keep reading →
The last thing that public agency leaders want to hear is that looming changes may make operating and building new public infrastructure more challenging and expensive. Unfortunately, proposed changes by the Environmental Protection Agency to the Clean Water Act could ultimately stop, delay or increase the cost of public projects.
The federal Clean Water Act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating the quality of those waters. The pending changes, if adopted, could greatly expand the jurisdictional reach of the CWA and change how municipal stormwater systems are categorized.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the precipitous decline in oil prices is not a “tragedy” for the budget of his petro-state and its people. That same day on Friday, Moody’s downgraded Russia’s debt ratings to Baa2 with a negative outlook, citing, among other things, the ongoing erosion of Russia’s foreign exchange buffers due to low oil prices. Experts… Keep reading →
The New York Power Authority recently launched the state’s first energy management network operations center – the New York Energy Manager (NYEM). Housed in Albany in partnership with the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, NYEM, is a comprehensive network and decision tool that utilizes Big Data analytics to monitor and troubleshoot buildings to reduce… Keep reading →
Interesting Reuters piece last week on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and very tardy 2014 ethanol-use requirements, now more than 10 months overdue from EPA. Reuters reports: The Obama administration is trying to balance its support for renewable fuels with awareness of infrastructure constraints at gas stations as it finalizes targets for 2014 biofuel use, agency officials said… Keep reading →
