All Energy Voices
The kaleidoscope of fossil fuel abundanceIf the US shale experience is supposed to forecast the world, then the evidence so far suggests a boomlet followed by frantic efforts just to keep production level, Cobb writes. But in some cases, such as Poland, the results have been far worse as heavily touted prospects have turned out to be duds.
First-class ticket: more legroom, more emissionsFirst-class air passengers have a carbon footprint as much as seven times larger than the average passenger's, according to a new study from the World Bank.聽The study comes as airliners push the envelop of luxurious accommodations, while simultaneously aiming to 'green' their operations.聽
Drilling for (virtual) oil in industry's new online gameAn energy and shipping company has developed an online video game to help attract young people to jobs in the oil and gas industry. Players聽locate and drill into deep oil reserves situated in extreme environments, which vary from the cold, dangerous North Sea, to the blazing heat of the Qatari dessert.
Profits ahead for refiners, thanks to differentialsShare prices for US refiners have soared over the past year because they've leveraged a $20 per barrel differential between Bakken oil and Brent crude. This year refiners' profit potential looks solid, but the differential could narrow.
Solar power shines in oil-rich Saudi ArabiaAs solar prices have fallen, and oil prices have risen, Saudi Arabia now has a strong economic incentive to push ahead with its long awaited solar plans, Peixe writes.聽Saudi Arabia鈥檚 desire to install vast amounts of generation capacity makes them a potentially important market, and they will be able to take advantage of this with Chinese manufacturers.
Court ruling: a boost for renewables or can of worms?Appeals court ruling will allow wind energy from the northern Plains to reach population centers in the Midwest. But the ruling may force states to rewrite their renewable portfolio standards, opening them up to attack. 聽聽
San Onofre: the fallout from closing California's nuclear plantLast week a California utility announced it would close the San聽Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. That closure, along with the shutting down of other nuclear plants, will have serious consequences for consumers and slow efforts to reign in greenhouse gas emissions, Styles writes.
GM offers $5,000 discount on Chevy Volt to boost salesGeneral Motors is offering a $5,000 discount on its Chevy Volt electric car in an effort to jumpstart lagging sales. The Chevy Volt discount follows the strategy of the recent reduction in price of the Nissan Leaf.
Westminster explosion linked to natural gasWestminster explosion leveled one house and caused minor injuries in suburban Denver Thursday. Residents in the area said they smelled gas before the Westminster explosion.聽
Debunking the electric car range anxiety mythThe idea is that a car with less range will necessarily lead to more instances of range anxiety, Finley writes, but, for some, driving an electric car might mean less range anxiety than driving a conventional gas car.
Libya oil production slows as world looks elsewhere for fuelOngoing protests have forced the closure of two export terminals and an entire oil field in Libya, causing a drop in the country's oil production. Gains in production elsewhere may mean a long road ahead for oil in Libya.
Energy Secretary Moniz promises LNG export decisions this yearIn his first congressional testimony as Energy secretary, Ernest Moniz said Thursday he would move 'expeditiously' to decide on applications to export liquefied natural gas.聽
BP: US oil production sees biggest rise in 62 yearsAmerican oil production had a banner year in 2012, largely thanks to new drilling techniques that recover oil from shale rock formations. As world energy supplies grew, demand for energy moderated, thanks to Europe's recession and energy-saving efforts.
How 'green' is your power?Many states and their destination cities have reasons to re-think how they are powered, Warren writes. The least costly energy fuel source may have other costs imposed upon their citizens, economy, and environmental assets. A recent report breaks down the US electricity mix.
What a bad economy means for gasoline demandWeak economic growth in the US has led to a dramatic decline in motor gasoline demand, Gagliardi writes.聽Not only has gasoline demand been weak since 2009, it has been successfully lower roughly each year to year the date in 2013.
Keystone XL: the 'Kim Kardashian of energy'?Keystone XL plays an outsize role in US energy discourse, earning the nickname "the Kim Kardashian of energy" from one US senator. But Keystone XL serves as an important touchstone for both its supporters and detractors.聽
In Amish country, trading fracking rights for a pittanceSome energy companies are offering Amish farmers in eastern Ohio a pittance to drill on their land, according to an article in the New Republic.聽The problem is that once the farmers realise that they have signed away their land for a mere fraction of its real worth, Burgess writes, they are unable to sue in court because their religion does not permit lawsuits.
Gas stations on the front lines of an ethanol warA Kansas gas station tries to sell a high-ethanol blend of gasoline (E15), but runs into an obstacle from its supplier. Is this really evidence of a war on E15?聽
EIA: World has more shale oil and gas, but will it drill?Shale oil and gas have revitalized the US energy industry and could do the same abroad, a new EIA report suggests. But oil and gas drilling will depend more so on market forces, than on geologic facts.聽
Sanctions won't stop Pakistan from Iran natural gasPakistan is looking to Iran natural gas to help resolve its ongoing energy woes, Graeber writes. Tightened US sanctions on Iran's energy sector doesn't seem to deter Pakistan's pursuit for a natural gas pipeline to Iran.聽
