As consensus builds around climate change, with new evidence seeming to emerge daily, many questions remain about the degree to which human activity contributes, the rate at which carbon dioxide levels are increasing, the severity of and speed at which the changing climate will impact modern society. New research into the planet’s most recent warming… Keep reading →
US energy policy is on hold for now, but several top-tier energy issues issues will be front and center when the House and Senate return to Capitol Hill after the August recess, according to Frank Maisano, Senior principal in law firm Bracewell Giuliani’s Government Relations and Strategic Communications Practice. Energy watchers should be on the… Keep reading →
A new study from consultancy IHS Cera has concluded that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline would not have a material impact on US greenhouse gas emissions, in part because the replacement for volumes from Canadian oil sands would most likely have the same carbon footprint. Breaking Energy has reported on comments in the past… Keep reading →
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy gives out Champion of Energy Efficiency awards annually for “leadership and accomplishment in the energy field”. This year’s winners have made big strides in energy efficiency advocacy, policy and actual implementation of energy efficiency programs. Let’s face it…it’s not quite as sexy as the Oscars. But energy efficiency is… 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 →
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 →
Go ahead, be cynical. You’ve earned the right to be skeptical about the current U.S. Congress and its ability to get anything done. Even so, a pair of Democratic Congressmen have introduced new smart grid legislation. Although its prospects for passage may be dim, it does give us insight into how Congress currently views the… Keep reading →
Bypassing Congress, president outlines ambitious climate agenda Perhaps, like the rest of us, President Obama does most of his reading – and thinking – when he is away from the office on travel. Speaking in Berlin in June following the G8 summit – which may be characterized as a futile annual shindig in search of a… 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 →
The Department of Energy looks set to award $8 bln in loan guarantees to limit greenhouse gas emissions produced from the oil & gas and coal sectors. The DOE’s proposal would apply to both downstream carbon capture – such as from coal-fired power plants – and to upstream emissions mitigation. Perhaps not what the world… Keep reading →
