Utilities

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The Bioenergy Technologies Office within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “Landscape Design for Sustainable Bioenergy Systems.”

DOE is looking for interdisciplinary projects that integrate landscape design approaches with cellulosic feedstock production within existing agricultural and forestry systems. Projects must maintain, or preferably enhance, environmental and socio-economic sustainability. The FOA includes funding up to $14 million.

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The New York Power Authority recently launched the state’s first energy management network operations center – the New York Energy Manager (NYEM). Housed in Albany in partnership with the Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, NYEM, is a comprehensive network and decision tool that utilizes Big Data analytics to monitor and troubleshoot buildings to reduce… Keep reading →

A large excavator loads a truck with oil

The Northern Plan will focus on the integrated and coherent development of the area covered by the Northern Plan which includes all of Québec located north of the 49th degree of north latitude and north of the St. Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. There are several mining exploration projects and major mining projects at various stages of development in the north, some of which require significant access to infrastructures. The Government of Quebec intends to take steps to facilitate the implementation of mining and other projects in the area. With confirmation by the Government of Québec of its intention to relaunch the Northern Plan by introducing Bill 11, An Act respecting the Société du Plan Nord, on September 30, 2014, the implementation of the Northern Plan continues. Bill 11 reiterates the majority of the elements included in the former Bill 27, An Act respecting the Société du Plan Nord, introduced in 2011, which was examined by a parliamentary committee. However, Bill 11 contains new elements and incorporates differences when compared to the previous version as outlined in “Relaunching the Northern Plan: Introduction of the Bill to establish the Société du Plan Nord” [Link]. Mr. Couillard’s government seems determined to proceed with the implementation of all mechanisms required for the orderly deployment of the Northern Plan while the mining sector and international business community continue to demonstrate interest in this major plan.

Natural Gas Prices In Midwest Could Jump Over 70% After Katrina

US natural gas prices have trended lower since the summer, but homeowners will likely pay slightly more for the heating fuel than last winter. “For consumers, prices will be about 6.8% higher than last winter, as gas utilities sell more expensive fuel they bought in the spring and summer, according to the U.S. Energy Information… Keep reading →

Structuring Energy and Natural Resource Investments into Sub Saharan Africa

Bill Clinton Visits Clinton Foundation Projects In Africa

An improving investment climate –

Perceptions of Africa as an investment destination are changing rapidly and parts of Africa are increasingly considered very attractive for foreign direct investment. Compare this to similar findings as recently as three or four years ago, and it becomes clear that there has been a remarkable change in Africa’s image in a short period of time.

The statistics suggest that these changing perceptions are justified. Africa’s share of global foreign direct investment stands at 5.7% – an all-time high, of which, notably, 80% is directed towards sub-Saharan Africa1. In addition, there has been a marked increase in intra-African investment. While the majority of this inward investment has been focused on the traditional extractive industries, it is worth noting that there is also a long-term trend towards increasing investments in consumer facing industries, such as financial services. Kenya, for example, is harnessing such investment to establish itself as a regional commercial financial hub…

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The 330-MW Sarulla geothermal power project stands to be the largest geothermal power project in Indonesia to date. A Latham & Watkins team led by partners Joseph Bevash, Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi and Andrew Roche advised the lenders on the $US1.17 billion financing of the project. In this Q&A interview Tjia-Dharmadi discusses the significance of the deal, the unique financing challenges it presented, and the project’s potential to serve as a blueprint for future geothermal projects in Indonesia.

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Greece has initiated its tender process for offshore oil and gas (hydrocarbons) exploration as of August 26, 2014. The Greek Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change is seeking bid applications for its offshore oil and gas exploration in 20 block areas in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete. The Greek government is hoping this will aid the Greek economy by encouraging an influx of investment capital.

Hot Weather Puts California Power Grid On Alert

Jobs in the energy industry are expected to nearly double to 3 million by 2020. Yet, 72 percent of energy employers are having difficulty finding quality candidates to fill their positions, as they grapple with an aging workforce and a growing skills shortage. Legacy knowledge and understanding built up over years of utility experience resides… Keep reading →

Youth Rally For Change In Energy, Climate And Economic Policy

On 22 September 2014, the International Bar’s Association task force on Climate Change Justice and Human Rights released its new report Achieving Justice and Human Rights in an Era of Climate Disruption in the wake of the UN Climate Summit 2014.

The Report can be consulted here.

The publication of the report marks the end of a research effort initiated in November 2012 and constitutes an important recognition by the global legal profession that climate change has an important human rights dimension. It presents a comprehensive survey of existing legal frameworks relevant to climate change, and identifies, using a justice-centred perspective, opportunities for legal reforms.

Labor Market Shows Improvement In June Reports

We’ve been focusing a considerable amount of attention on the looming skills gap emerging in both the oil & gas and utility sectors that will result from experienced workers retiring in next few years. Often called the “great shift change” or “great crew change,” engineering-heavy companies are bracing for what some anticipate could be a… Keep reading →

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