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US power generators reporting savings, other benefits from phasing out coal
Power generators across the U.S. are not only sticking to plans to retire coal-fired power plants despite the pro-coal Trump administration, they are touting the cost savings of doing so while pushing a further transition away from the fuel. Several utilities with the largest planned coal plant retirements confirmed they are not changing course after the administration finished the Affordable Clean Energy in mid-June, S&P Global Market Intelligence recently reported [ read more … ]
Policy & Politics
D.C. Circuit gears up for busy environmental docket
On October 7, Environmentalists will face off against the Trump administration in Sierra Club v. EPAto determine whether the agency acted illegally in crafting fresh guidance for facilities seeking new permits in areas with relatively low levels of major air pollutants. The Clean Air Act requires permit seekers in those areas to show they will not contribute to significant deterioration of air quality. In April 2018, EPA issued new guidance for regulators using “significant impact levels,” or SILs — thresholds commonly used in air quality modeling — to decide whether to permit a new source. Officials can greenlight a new source as long as its pollution is projected to come in under the threshold. [ read more … ]
N.Y. looks to Europe offshore wind for its Green New Deal
New York is studying Europe’s playbook for developing offshore wind, but some lessons may get lost in translation as the Empire State pursues some of the largest wind projects planned in U.S. waters, according to a report yesterday from the New York Power Authority. “Offshore Wind — A European Perspective” identifies what four European countries responsible for most of the continent’s offshore wind power — Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom — have done to successfully site, develop and connect power from offshore turbines to customers on shore. [ read more … ]
The Energy 202: A ‘climate corps’ is core to many 2020 Democrats’ environmental plans
Democrats running for president on promises to slow climate change are asking young people to do more than just vote for them. Many White House hopefuls are laying out plans to put teenagers and 20-somethings to work guarding the country against the worst effects of global warming. Core to a number of Democrats’ climate plans is the creation of a “climate corps.” Akin to the Peace Corps launched in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy as a soft-power check against Russia, a climate-focused national service program would tackle what many presidential candidates see as this generation’s greatest challenge by putting young Americans to work planting trees, restoring wetlands and aiding victims of natural disasters. [ read more … ]
Report: ‘Green homes’ are on the rise
Homeowners and residential developers in the United States are now, more than ever, recognizing the value of “green homes,” according to a U.S. Green Building Council report. The prevalence of green homes rose 19% in the last two years, which chalks up to more than 400,000 certified residential units nationwide, said the report from USGBC, the nonprofit organization that created Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a global green building rating system. [ read more … ]
US power generators reporting savings, other benefits from phasing out coal
Power generators across the U.S. are not only sticking to plans to retire coal-fired power plants despite the pro-coal Trump administration, they are touting the cost savings of doing so while pushing a further transition away from the fuel. Several utilities with the largest planned coal plant retirements confirmed they are not changing course after the administration finished the Affordable Clean Energy in mid-June, S&P Global Market Intelligence recently reported [ read more … ]
US Energy Information Administration predicts US energy future
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its short-term energy outlook (SEO) on 6 August, outlining the country’s energy production in 2019 and future production in 2020. According to the EIA, Brent crude oil prices averaged at $64 a barrel in July 2019, falling from $74 a barrel in July 2018. It estimates that crude oil prices will remain stable at $64-65 a barrel in 2019-2020, whilst global oil inventories will increase by 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2019 and 300,000 bpd in 2020. [ read more … ]
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