Traditional and social media universes have been buzzing as analysts and market observers digest the recent US crude oil export news. The Wall Street Journal was accused of writing a misleading headline stating the US “loosened” the crude oil export ban. This may be a bit nitpicky, but the broad US crude oil export ban… Keep reading →
As we reported last November, US crude oil export laws can be absurd, with policies regulating condensate exports particularly convoluted. Thus it appears two forward-thinking companies took advantage of this “squishy” legal situation to gain condensate export approval. Deemed “private classification orders” by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, the decision allows Pioneer… Keep reading →
WASHINGTON – As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, the Energy Department today announced a new energy efficiency standard for furnace fans, the latest of eight finalized standards and nine proposed standards issued since the Climate Action Plan was announced last year. These efficiency standards cut carbon pollution and save American families and businesses… Keep reading →
The idea that recent sequential earthquake activity, particularly in Ohio and Oklahoma, is related to hydraulic fracking and water disposal operations is gaining traction in some key drilling states. While there is no hard data to conclusively support the theory, action on the part of regulatory agencies will potentially present oil and gas companies with… Keep reading →
This year’s closing ceremony of the innovative event series New York Energy Week ended on a high note. It featured a familiar topic in energy circles: Utilities’ shifting role in the power generation market. Peter Molengraaf, CEO of Alliander – a Dutch distribution grid operator – wasted no time and cut right to the point with… Keep reading →
Will it make a difference? Maybe. Certainly the fact that the Risky Business Project is fronted by a bipartisan and big-money bunch gives a high-profile twist to the U.S. climate-change discussion, at least in the short term. Led by former Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, ex-New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and hedge-fund billionaire Tom Steyer, the… Keep reading →
With the proliferation of smart phones, smart TVs, smart meters, smart grids and the “internet of things,” comes enormously energy-intensive data transfer, storage and management requirements. Data centers are rapidly expanding – in number of facilities and square footage – and these centers all have fairly significant power and cooling demand requirements. Green IT Amsterdam… Keep reading →
A Freedom of Information Request unveiled emails between New England government leadership and several energy companies regarding various power and gas infrastructure projects that have some questioning the extent to which certain aspects of the negotiations and decision making were kept from the public. “Regional plans for a pair of multibillion-dollar energy projects have advanced… Keep reading →
Earlier this spring, the Energy Department hosted an Energy Finance Roundtable. The event included leaders across the philanthropic space who joined Secretary Ernest Moniz, Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman and other Administration officials for a dialogue on the role of U.S. foundations in driving clean energy innovation and market transformation through their investments. Events like these… Keep reading →
Earlier this month, Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) chairwoman Donna Nelson called for the federal government to end its renewable energy tax credit for Texas wind and for the end of state policies that have resulted in Texas’ clean energy economy boom. The chairman’s appeal is so devoid of a factual basis it is hard… Keep reading →
