The US made significant energy efficiency inroads following the 1973 oil embargo, but fresh supplies of cheap energy hit markets in the mid-1980’s, bringing renewed complacency that caused lawmakers to backslide on efficiency measures. Famed innovator and energy researcher Amory Lovins sets the stage for a new energy efficiency surge in his latest blog post:… Keep reading →
As the United States moves closer to imposing an economic cost on carbon dioxide emissions in the form of emissions limits on power plants, there will be a shift in the ranking of fuels that are most economic for power generation. And while nuclear’s future is looking more promising, it is not certain that it… Keep reading →
The Sierra Club’s campaign against coal-fired power in the US reached a major milestone with the announcement that the Brayton Point Power Station in Massachusetts would retire by 2017, which marked 150 coal plants that announced plans to retire since 2010. Several celebrities joined the cause, including Elle Macpherson, Edward James Olmos and Ian Somerhalder.… Keep reading →
Only Saudis & Russians pump more oil According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), US will surpass Russia in total production of liquid fuels in 3rd Qtr. 2013 – that includes crude oil plus biofuels like ethanol. Moreover, US is now the third largest crude oil producer behind Saudi Arabia and barely trailing Russia. Saudi… Keep reading →
EPA will solicit public input for its proposed carbon dioxide emissions standards for existing power plants through a series of scheduled listening sessions. On September 30, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a schedule of 11 public listening sessions across the U.S. to solicit input for its proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for… Keep reading →
Local chambers of commerce have shaped the economic vitality of cities and towns for more than a century. Every day, businesses large and small turn to local chambers for guidance and support. Economic development organizations collaborate and sometimes merge with their local chambers, tapping into their unique knowledge of their communities’ strengths, challenges and needs.… Keep reading →
Natural gas’s environmental impact can be viewed in a positive light as a lower-emitting power generation source than coal or petroleum derivatives, or in a negative light as a source of methane emissions and driver of drilling activity. The University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with the Environmental Defense Fund and nine natural gas… Keep reading →
BP and the US federal government are at odds over how much oil was actually spilled into the Gulf of Mexico as a result of the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010: BP says 2.45 million barrels, the US government says 4.2 MM bbl. “Clean Water Act fines…range from a maximum of $1,100 for every barrel… Keep reading →
A regulatory framework that penalizes carbon dioxide emissions would improve nuclear’s competitiveness in the US, but greater policy clarity may be required for new nuclear investments to replace shuttered facilities like San Onofre and Yankee. Nuclear is not without its detractors, which have a laundry list of concerns, ranging from potential for terrorist attacks to… Keep reading →
A debate over the greenhouse gas emissions reduction benefits associated with burning natural gas versus coal to generate power began in 2010 when a Cornell University professor published a paper addressing methane leakage – methane being a potent greenhouse gas – from natural gas development. The paper found methane emissions at levels that would make… Keep reading →
