In the United States, coal is facing hard times. The welcome, though unexpected expansion of unconventional natural gas resources and production in North America has made natural gas the economically attractive fuel choice for new electricity generating power plants and, in many cases, has replaced older existing coal fired plants. From 2003 to 2013 coal’s… Keep reading →
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced support for a draft bill aimed to scale back EPA’s proposed emissions rules for new power plants. On November 11, 2013, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce wrote to Congress expressing support for a draft bill that would limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to set greenhouse gas… Keep reading →
President Obama has issued an executive order outlining multiple strategies to bolster climate resilience of states and local governments. On November 1, 2013, President Obama signed an Executive Order (EO) titled “Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change,” directing federal agencies to support climate resilience efforts in states and local communities. The… Keep reading →
Large oil and gas companies are some of the most active investors in the cleantech space, using new technologies to improve operational efficiency, according to research and advisory firm the Cleantech Group. Cleantech start-ups and oil and gas producers would not appear at first glance to be a good fit for fruitful corporate partnerships. The… Keep reading →
Canadian security agencies have been briefing representatives of energy companies who have obtained high-level security clearances, according to freedom of information documents obtained by the Guardian. “Meetings were officially billed to discuss ‘threats’ to energy infrastructure but also covered ‘challenges to energy projects from environmental groups’, ‘cyber security initiatives’ and ‘economic and corporate espionage’.” [Guardian]… Keep reading →
Arguments about expensive, exotic renewables are dated If you are among those who still believes that renewables are exotic, expensive, unreliable, intermittent or whatever, you may be fighting a losing battle. With each passing day, renewables are gaining ground, and their shortcomings, most notably intermittency, diffused energy source and low capacity factor, are getting compensated in ingenious ways.… Keep reading →
A National Research Council report, which was mandatory under a 2011 pipeline safety law, found that Canadian heavy oil is no more likely to spur pipeline leaks than other crude oils are, which could bode well for the future of the Keystone XL pipeline. Of course, there is still the issue of the cold, dead… Keep reading →
The revised Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act would allow renewable energy projects to access financing and tax advantages that are currently available only to fossil fuel energy projects. On April 24, 2013, a group led by Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced an expanded version of the Master Limited Partnerships Parity Act introduced in 2012 to… Keep reading →
