All Energy Voices
Pipeline explosion leaves thousands in Canada without heatPipeline explosion in聽the Canadian province of Manitoba Saturday cut heat to thousands in聽municipalities south of Winnipeg, where the wind chill could reach minus 45 degrees F. Monday. The pipeline explosion is the latest example of extreme cold testing energy infrastructure across North America.
Ukraine unrest: the energy connectionUkrainian protesters seized an administrative building in Kiev Friday, before President Viktor Yanukovych appeared to offer concessions to ease growing unrest. Ukraine's energy challenges 鈥� dependent on fickle Russia for natural gas and unable to yet develop its own resources 鈥� make a difficult situation worse.听
Report: US rail spilled more oil in 2013 than in past 37 years combinedMore crude oil was spilled in US rail incidents last year than during the previous 37 years, according to a new government analysis. Oil by rail transport has聽become more popular as pipeline capacity has fallen behind increases in oil production during the North American shale boom.
5 new ways Obama could jumpstart clean energyPresident Obama can push clean energy forward without the need for congressional action, Cunningham writes. A new report lists over 200 recommendations for executive action on clean energy and energy efficiency.
Winter storm Janus: Natural gas prices soar in NortheastWinter storm Janus brings shivering cold and heavy snow to much of the Northeast Wednesday, causing a spike in demand for natural gas. Spot prices in the Northeast are already hitting record levels, and the cost of winter storm Janus may eventually trickle down to consumers.听
What happens when the shale oil boom ends?The shale revolution in the United States, as with any revolution, will be brief, Graeber writes. It's what happens after the revolution ends that matters.- Propane shortage: Winter storm prompts energy emergency in MidwestA propane shortage in the Midwest is raising concerns about residents who rely on the fuel for heating. The propane shortage has prompted a state of emergency in Ohio,聽as bitterly cold weather descends on the Midwest.
Will California frack? Not without water.California sits atop the largest tight oil formation in the US, Cunningham writes, but the state's water crisis threatens to hamper oil and gas production and put an end to a Bakken-like bonanza.听
UN warns on climate change, as emissions bounce backNations are falling behind in efforts to slow climate change, the UN warns in a draft report, and must dramatically reduce carbon emissions in the next 15 years. That is proving difficult as the world's major economies rebound from a global recession.
Will Iraq turmoil halt oil growth?While western Iraq is in the hands of Al Qaeda, recent trends suggest there's no safe oil investment refuge even in the Kurdish north,聽Graeber writes.
Why did consumer prices rise last month? Gas prices.Consumer prices rose 0.3 percent in December, largely due to an unexpected jump in gas prices and other energy costs. Gas prices could rise again in late January and put more upward pressure on the consumer price index.听
As emissions rise, US coal steps up push for carbon captureAfter three years of decline, greenhouse-gas emissions are rising again, largely because of increased coal use. The best chance for the industry to erase its 'dirty coal' image is through carbon capture, which is making progress.
Possible Iran-Russia oil deal ruffles feathers in WashingtonA potential $1.5 billion oil-for-goods swap between Iran and Russia has prompted harsh responses from Washington, which says such a deal could trigger new US sanctions.
Clean energy investment down, but not outGlobal investment in clean energy and energy efficiency technologies dropped 12 percent in 2013, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. It marks the second consecutive year of declines in clean energy investment, but there are reasons to be optimistic about wind and solar energy.听聽
Why electricity's future is in the produce aisleNot all kilowatt-hours of electricity are created equal, Bronski writes, but聽most customers consume them as if they are. That's changing as consumers demand more information about how, where, and when their electricity is generated.听
In 2014, world races to join shale energy boomThe shale genie is out of the bottle, Warren writes. US production in shale oil and gas offers lessons learned for countries desiring to exploit their own energy resources.听
Fracking and water pollution: What's the connection?Complaints in key venues of the US oil and gas boom continue to suggest that drinking water is being contaminated by fracking for oil and gas, Peixe writes. The pollution complaints against fracking have been confirmed in a number of cases, but not across the board.
Iran nuclear deal: Don't believe the hype around oilAn Iran nuclear deal would ease economic sanctions on the Islamic nation in exchange for limits to its uranium enrichment program. Oil prices slipped Monday, on news of the Iran nuclear deal, set for Jan. 20, but the promise of new Iranian oil may be overhyped.听
Fracking for an energy renaissance that will not comeThe hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling used to extract oil from shale deposits is聽supposed to glut the world with oil and drive down the price. The record so far is not compelling, Cobb writes, and talk of an American energy renaissance is聽essentially baseless.
King Coal is dead. Long live King Coal!Cheap natural gas and environmental regulations have threatened King Coal's US reign in recent years, but could 2014 be the year coal stages a comeback?
