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The African continent — home to many of the world’s fastest-growing economies and populations — holds substantial untapped energy resources. Maintaining economic growth for these countries requires access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy. Yet power generation capacity is often inadequate. To help address these challenges, the Department of Energy looks for ways to increase… Keep reading →
Congress has recessed until after the November elections, and we turn our attention this week to energy and climate issues on the Administration and international fronts.
The House approved the continuing resolution (H.J. Res. 124) last week, keeping the government open through December 11, and the Senate’s approval followed shortly thereafter. The House also passed an energy package, the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act (H.R. 2) September 18. The measure, consisting of 13 already-House-approved bills, would approve the Keystone XL pipeline (H.R. 3, H.R. 3301), limit environmental regulations (H.R. 1582, H.R. 3826), and open federal lands to energy extraction (H.R. 4899). The House also approved a tax and deregulatory package, the Jobs for America Act (H.R. 4). The White House announced last week that the president would veto both the energy and tax packages if they came to his desk. The Senate will not act on the measures, but they afford a preview of the issues the upper chamber would consider if Republicans assume control of the Senate in 2015.
The US military partnered with Saudi Arabia and the UAE on air strikes that bombed 12 “teapot” refineries in eastern Syria reportedly used as part of ISIS’ underground oil operations. These small modular refineries – producing 300 to 500 barrels per day of refined products – are major sources of funding for the extremists, generating “as… Keep reading →
Local utility caves in to pressure, finally Having been slapped by the regulators for being slow and unimaginative – that is putting it politely – Hawaiian Electric Company was forced to make an about face. HECO now says it will get 67% of its electricity from renewables by 2030%, a third of that from… Keep reading →
Levelized costs don’t tell the whole story about competitiveness. But they provide a helpful guide for where clean energy is headed. Renewables in the electricity sector are undoubtedly getting cheaper. But exactly how cheap compared to conventional fuels? If using the common levelized cost of energy (LCOE) metric, renewables are actually starting to rival fossil… Keep reading →
In an article for the World Economic Forum blog, Leo Schlesinger – CEO of MASISA México – makes the argument for the concept of a regenerative ‘circular economy’. This concept would basically embed sustainability firmly within society and effectively restore much of the life-supporting biosphere for our generation and future generations as well. He advocates… Keep reading →
Quick Take: When I talk at industry conferences and private events, I often remind utility leaders that they now have new allies. Climate groups that previously saw utilities as carbon-spewing monopolists now understand the essential role they play in integrating renewables. As a result, organizations such as the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Defense… Keep reading →
Some of the world’s largest LNG purchasers by volume are beginning to cooperate in an effort to increase bargaining power and secure lower prices. “Korea Gas and Tokyo Gas plan to deepen a partnership they started in 1990 on exchanging information and technology to possibly include joint investments in gas developments, along with purchases of… Keep reading →
In an increasingly fast-paced and mobile world, consumers are interested in being able to use technology wherever, whenever — with as little hassle as possible. Taking a cue from some smartphones that can charge wirelessly, automakers, federal researchers and equipment manufacturers have recognized an opportunity for plug-in electric vehicles, known as PEVs. Wireless charging has… Keep reading →
Commissioner Philip Moeller of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held a public meeting on September 18, 2014 to discuss ideas to facilitate and improve the way in which natural gas is traded and to explore the concept of establishing a centralized natural gas trading platform. Although not an official FERC conference, the ideas at issue were an extension of FERC’s recent focus on gas-electric coordination. During the well-attended meeting, Commissioner Moeller presided over a large roundtable discussion of stakeholders, including electric generation owners, natural gas producers, pipelines and marketers, who engaged in a spirited discussion of whether natural gas supplies are meeting the needs of electric generators and improvement in supply practices. The central focus of the meeting was the creation of a natural gas information and trading platform containing bids and offers for the purchase and sale of commodity and capacity for receipt and delivery on points across multiple pipeline systems.
