All Environment
Genel Energy capitalizes on Kurdistan, Africa oil findsNew and increased oil production in Northern Iraq and Africa has come as good news to聽Genel Energy.聽The latest feather in its cap is the securing of a rig contract for offshore drilling in its Africa portfolio.
Natural gas glut crimps nuclear powerNatural gas has already been blamed for shuttering of coal plants and slowing wind and solar financing. Evidence suggests nuclear is also falling victim to the glut of cheap natural gas. The closure of a nuclear plant in Wisconsin Tuesday is exhibit A.- Meet the floating plant that has Lake Victoria's economy in a chokeholdMassive mats of invasive water hyacinth are creeping their way across the lake, severely disrupting local fishermen and sending scientists scrambling for a way to stop the runaway weed.
California urges record $2.5 billion fine for natural gas blastPacific Gas and Electric Co. could face a record fine for a deadly 2010 natural gas pipeline explosion in a San Francisco suburb. Officials hope it will help prevent future accidents while some warn that rising natural gas demand is outpacing investment in energy infrastructure.
US oil boom means oil prices must drop, right? Wrong.Even though production of oil from new fields in the U.S. is booming, there is a consistent decline in production from old fields around the world, and OPEC members have not increased production. Meanwhile, though demand for oil is falling in the US, it continues to grow around the world.
Brood II: After 17 years, billions of eastern US cicadas rise againAfter 17 years out of sight and under foot, billions of noisy, bulge-eyed Brood II cicadas are crawling out of the ground in the eastern US to mate, hatch offspring, and start the cycle anew.
As Kurds gain power, Baghdad may be ready for oil dealThe Iraqi central government and authorities of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government put together a seven-point deal last week that could see the Kurds resume oil exports to Iraq in return for a revision of the Iraqi 2013 budget, Alic writes.
JPMorgan Chase accused of rigging energy marketsJPMorgan Chase developed schemes to sell electricity at falsely attractive prices in Michigan and California, according to The New York Times. The market manipulation could result in JPMorgan Chase receiving penalties from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.聽
Is OPEC coming apart at the seams?In a lackluster economy, there hasn't been much from OPEC members to suggest there was any sort of revival, Graeber writes. But with seven of the 12 members of the cartel experiencing at least some form of upheaval, the cost of doing business suggests members may need more than a little bit of luck to return to glory.
Drive to make energy cleaner has stalled. Shale gas could help.Average unit of energy is 'basically as dirty' as two decades ago, says new IEA report, despite boom in renewables. Among its recommendations: Encourage move from coal to gas by developing unconventional gas.聽
How much water in that snowpack? Scientists seek a better gauge.More accurate, more frequent measurements of mountain snowpacks will allow water managers to mete out reservoirs with greater confidence. Two watersheds in the western US are testing grounds for a new aerial approach.
Oil companies near multi-year highs. Still undervalued.Oil companies should no longer be valued by their reserves. New drilling technologies like fracking and horizontal drilling mean oil companies operate more like advanced manufacturers, which have much higher price-earnings ratios. 聽
Solar Impulse departs for first sun-powered flight across USSolar Impulse embarked on the first transcontinental flight of its kind Friday. The聽Solar Impulse is a dramatic endorsement of clean-energy technology, but probably doesn't represent the future of aviation.
Is nuclear fusion power now possible?The quest for nuclear fusion power is well known, Daly writes, having been around since the dawn of the nuclear age, but the physics have precluded significant research. Until now.
Suddenly, it's a three-car race for electric-powered dominanceTesla joins Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt in the race for electric car sales. After a record-breaking March for the Nissan Leaf, sales of electric cars dipped in April.
What determines energy abundance? Flow.Energy abundance depends entirely on the rate of the flow of oil, gas and other resources, Cobb writes. It is not, as many suggest, dependent on聽supposed, but often unverified, fossil fuel reserves in the ground.
Verizon to invest $100 million in clean energyVerizon Communications will spend $100 million to green up its facilities with solar panels and fuel cells, Alic writes, putting it in the big leagues with clean energy followers like Google and Yahoo.
With Arctic sea ice vulnerable, summer melt season begins brisklyThe Arctic saw a record loss of summer sea ice in 2012, and the 2013 melt is off to a faster start than a year ago. Another record is uncertain, but warming has sapped the ice's staying power.
Light bulbs and the pitfalls of 'green' marketingA recent study on the effect of 'green' marketing on light bulb purchases underscores the role ideology plays in energy efficiency. To sell more energy efficient products, companies should rethink eco-advertising.
China: World's largest polluter also leads clean-energy pushChina remains the world鈥檚 largest polluting nation while leading the fight against climate change, according to a new study.聽China has made such efforts to reduce its emissions, and reduce growth in electricity demand, that it is far ahead of any targets it set itself, Kennedy writes.