During his first stint as prime minister in 2006, Prime Minister Abe’s Nuclear Energy National Plan from December 2006 talked about a “re-recognition of the importance of energy security in industrialized nations” with the direction of energy policy not being “Nuclear energy “OR” Renewable energy but Nuclear energy “AND” Renewable energy.” As a previous article… Keep reading →
Not much time has passed since Yoichi Masuzoe, backed by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, won Tokyo’s gubernatorial election in January 2014 against two candidates who were running on the promise to phase out nuclear power. In his victory speech he uttered: “The Fukushima disaster has left me without words, but reducing our dependence on… Keep reading →
The Japanese government has softened its anti-nuclear power strategy, which could open the way to existing reactor restarts and possibly even new plant construction. The post-Fukushima shutdown of the country’s nuclear fleet has led to increased electricity prices, eroded the trade balance and spiked fossil fuel imports, which are unsustainable conditions according to a new… Keep reading →
Extreme cold in the US is testing power generators and grid operators like PJM who are asking customers to reduce consumption during peak demand periods. At the same time, utilities are being pressured by shareholders to close coal plants, thus increasing natural gas reliance. This piece sums up the situation in the Pittsburgh area. [Pittsburgh… Keep reading →
Canadian government negations with energy industry representatives regarding a carbon emissions mitigation strategy have reportedly been underway for the past two years with little to show for the effort. A climate plan could improve the Keystone XL pipeline’s chances of being approved by the US government. [Reuters] The boom and bust cycle that characterizes PTC-dependent… Keep reading →
The March 2011 Fukushima accident destroyed four and shuttered most (currently all) of Japan’s 54 nuclear plants. Japan replaced nuclear energy with discomfort, sacrifice, and costly fossil fuels, because utility oligopolies suppressed renewable competitors and national energy efficiency languished. Two and a half years later, power reserves, though easing, remain tight, fuel bills exorbitant, and… Keep reading →
Russian gas independent Novatek and Gazprom oil-producing arm Gazpromneft have agreed to a $2.94bln deal to buy Italian Eni‘s stake in SeverEnergia, which is expected to produce 36 billion cubic meters of gas and liquids by 2017, equivalent to two-thirds of Novatek’s production, according to Reuters. A joint venture of Eni and Italian Enel has a 49% stake in SeverEnergia, of which Eni controls 60%. Investment… Keep reading →
Half empty in the West, half full in a handful of centrally planned economies Nuclear power’s prospects appears to be doomed in the West where markets and private investors tend to make the decisions and assume the risks, that is, if they can get the public’s support and regulator’s approval. In other parts of the… Keep reading →
The EPA announced its proposed 2014 biofuel blending requirements late last week and reduced the volume requirements for the first time. Oil refining interests and renewable fuels proponents have fought tooth and nail over the Renewable Fuel Standard since its inception and this latest move by the EPA constitutes a small victory for the petroleum… Keep reading →
Ken Silverstein does a nice overview of the debate about whether natural gas helps or hurts climate change mitigation efforts. US carbon dioxide emissions are down, but “inexpensive [natural gas] deposits coupled with the relative ease of building new gas plants has come at a price — the foregoing of other fuels.” [Forbes] Large energy… Keep reading →
