Crude has had an incredible run over the past two weeks. But I’d think twice before hopping aboard this speeding train. At today’s highs, August crude oil futures was up more than 12 percent in two and a half weeks. It would be easy to attribute this rally to tensions in Egypt, but that would… Keep reading →
Mexico is heading towards much-needed energy sector reform, and with two of the country’s three major political parties in broad alignment on energy goals, major changes to the sector look more likely than ever, according to attorneys in the energy practice of law firm Mayer Brown. Mexico is major oil producer, and one of the… Keep reading →
The fatal Quebec oil train disaster looks likely to touch off yet another debate affecting the future of the Keystone XL pipeline – whether pipelines or rail are a safer way to transport oil. “People think rail is costless until something like this happens.” [Bloomberg] France’s Total and its Chief Executive Christophe de Margerie were… Keep reading →
Hoku Corp just filed for bankruptcy in Pocatello federal court according to reports in the Idaho State Journal. Hoku started out as a fuel cell membrane and materials company, went public in 2005 on little revenue, and then pivoted to becoming a solar polysilicon manufacturer. The company also tried its hand at solar installation… Keep reading →
The solar-powered airplane Solar Impulse landed at New York’s JFK airport Sunday night, capping the team’s historic Across America mission. Solar Impulse was forced to land earlier than planned due to a technical issue. “This last leg was especially difficult due to the damage of the fabric on the left wing. It obliged the team… Keep reading →
The U.S. has lost three percent of its summertime nuclear generating capacity as troublesome plants are retired. Robert Stone’s controversial film Pandora’s Promise has brought the question of how nuclear power might fit into a clean-energy future to center stage. We’re not going to hold (let alone resolve) that debate here and now. Instead, we’ll just note that… Keep reading →
As emissions reductions and climate change mitigation have moved the the forefront of the US political debate, both the Department of Energy and the International Energy Agency have shone a light on the potential and the importance of working with traditional fossil fuels, rather than pushing to phase them out. The International Energy Agency’s 2013… Keep reading →
Really awful news…a Rail World Inc train carrying crude oil through Quebec derailed this weekend, causing multiple explosions in the middle of the town of Lac Megantic, resulting in multiple fatalities and destroying dozens of buildings. Oil spilled into Lac Megantic itself, and into a nearby river. “The derailment is the latest in a string of railroad… Keep reading →
Hope everyone had a nice 4th of July! Here’s what’s happening in energy news. West Texas Intermediate crude is trading near a 14-month high, spurred by unrest in Egypt and a sunny outlook for US economic growth. [Bloomberg] And Brent hit a three-month high today after Egypt’s army declared a state of emergency in areas… Keep reading →
The race to develop fuel cell vehicles for what automakers hope will be an interested consumer audience has mildly been heating up of late. Hyundai, for example, has been for the most part at the forefront as some of its production ready vehicles are now in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark to be used there in a municipal fleet. Now… Keep reading →
