Gina McCarthy has finally been confirmed by the Senate as Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. Environmentalists largely welcomed the news, while energy industry trade groups’ statements seem focused on avoiding “burdensome” regulations. Some groups seemed to react as much to the protracted confirmation process as to its culmination. Here is what they had to say. BlueGreen… Keep reading →
The US experienced some of the largest crude oil inventory draws in decades over the past three weeks, which begs the question why is this occurring at a time when domestic production is soaring? Here’s a hint, summer driving season and refining fundamentals might be playing a role. [Sober Look] What do you do when… Keep reading →
Global energy demands are at an unprecedented high and still growing. Global demand for electricity is projected to grow over 70 percent by 2035. And here in the US, the demand for electricity is projected to grow 22 percent by 2035. Finding energy sources to power our growing population and economy and meet that demand cleanly and responsibly… Keep reading →
Natural gas production gains spurred by the unconventional revolution upended long-held beliefs about resource scarcity in the US, leading to calls for exports. And the rise in US unconventional crude production has led to similar calls for exporting oil. “Federal lawmakers should overturn the ban on exporting crude oil produced in the United States,” said Blake… Keep reading →
Intense heat up and down the East Coast has air conditioning cranking and power generators pushing it to the limit. With electricity demand in places like New York City flirting with all-time highs, power prices are reaching staggering levels. “System demand in New York is expected to top out today at 99% of its all-time… Keep reading →
Utility customers often don’t know how their power is priced and who makes the decisions that impact price, delivery, reliability and other important factors. “Decisions made by PUCs [Public Utility Commissions] will influence the $100 billion in utility infrastructure investments expected each year between now and 2020, ranging from smart meters to transmission lines to… Keep reading →
Weather-related risk is keeping insurers up at night. The bill to clean up Hurricane Sandy along the East Coast came in at a staggering $70 billion, but government and private insurers were able to cobble the funds together. However, an even more serious disaster or series of disasters could shred the social safety net, permanently… Keep reading →
JP Morgan may be on the verge of the largest payment ever to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, at close to $1 billion, related to allegations that the bank manipulated electricity markets in California and the Midwest. The deal is not yet finalized, but the conversations highlight an increasingly aggressive stance taken by a little-known… Keep reading →
The U.S. military has said time and again that moving away from a reliance on fossil fuels is in its best interest, for energy security reasons and as a matter of keeping troops safe. Despite this, such efforts – particularly on the biofuels front – have caught flak from Republicans in Congress. But President Obama isn’t backing off, or so it… Keep reading →
For the second consecutive day this week, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) Wednesday activated a program to reduce electricity use at public-facility locations in New York City in response to anticipated higher energy demand due to the hot weather. NYPA has also issued a day-ahead notice of the possible activation of the program tomorrow.… Keep reading →
