November 06, 2009

Liquefied natural gas has lost some luster. But its shine may soon return. While deflated natural gas prices are now making expensive investments in the super-cooled fuel less appealing, the demand for energy will eventually resume and therefore put pressure on national governments to find alternatives to coal.

The major oil companies along with some utilities remain bullish in the long-term on LNG. It's especially true in this county where national energy regulators have been friendly to development and where federal lawmakers are trying to enact legislation to curb the level of greenhouse gas emissions.

Below are a few letters received at EnergyBiz Insider on topics that appeared in the past few weeks. They capture the essence of how many readers say they feel.

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November 04, 2009

With energy and environmental issues atop the national agenda, America may fundamentally change the way it drives. And the utility sector says that it can deliver.

At issue is the plug-in hybrid that can run for about 40 miles on electricity before a traditional internal combustion engine fueled by gasoline would kick in. And while the automakers are working hard to meet their expected 2011 deadline to commercialize such vehicles, the utility sector must also fulfill its obligations -- to help develop the infrastructure by which cars can recharge their batteries and to employ clean-burning fuels in the process.

November 02, 2009

The hydropower industry is gushing with enthusiasm. A new study commissioned by its top Washington lobbying organization says that with the proper federal incentives and initiatives, it could provide up to 25 percent of the nation's power by 2025.

That, of course, is wishful thinking. But the central premise behind its study is worth noting -- that hydropower will get swept up in the clean energy trends now breezing across the country. And as such, its share of the electricity market will grow. The industry group says that hydro facilities could easily become more efficient and thereby improve the output at existing plants.

October 30, 2009

The green revolution goes beyond financing research and development. It is also helping to create a robust national market for existing technologies and shovel-ready projects.

Federal stewardship in conjunction with some creative state and local programs are serving to inspire all kinds of renewable energy deals. As the initiatives go forward, private investors, who must ultimately sustain them, will join in increasing numbers.

Solar energy is now the focal point, which the U.S. Department of Energy says that can be applied around the country and through local communities. To that end, the federal agency is establishing programs with some cities to overcome barriers to development and to help create more solar projects. To get there, the department is allocating nearly $100 million to assist localities craft permitting processes, financing programs and training procedures.