May 17, 2010

Just when the global warming debate starts to simmer, the reintroduction of legislation has caused it perk back up. Three senators across the great political divide have produced a bill that they think can win the votes to reach the president's desk.

The major sticking point is that of cap-and-trade. That is essentially a free-market approach -- as opposed to a command-and-control tack -- to curbing greenhouse gases. From there, the recently drafted bill would promote nuclear power, natural gas vehicles and clean coal. So, while the measure is meant to sway ambivalent lawmakers, it now proceeds to anger the more liberal constituents.

May 14, 2010

The recession's end is signaling the beginning of changes in the utility world. Declines in demand along with those of whole electric prices are prompting companies to revise their business strategies.

Now some notable players are buying and selling assets. The goal is to trim debt, increase revenues and raise stock prices -- as well as to prepare for the next sustained economic cycle. While mergers often take place during good times and when companies have ample cash to spend, the recent wave of activity is a reaction to what has been a relatively stressful time.

May 12, 2010

The controversy surrounding coal ash may finally settle. National regulators have issued a proposal and have given industry three months to respond -- one that presents two distinct possibilities while still allowing the beneficial reuse of the coal combustion byproduct in such things as cement.

While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said that its recommendations are the first time ever that coal ash would fall under national rules, it nevertheless has asked interested parties to weigh in on the options. The first of its solutions would be to regulate the toxic material under federal hazardous waste laws. The second would allow the EPA to make recommendations to the states, which would maintain control. In both cases, the landfills that take in coal ash would need liners and groundwater monitoring devices.

May 10, 2010

Whole Foods Market, Inc. is aggressively trying to cut its energy consumption. Among its strategies is installing hydrogen-powered fuel cells at certain of its locations to supply anywhere from 50-90 percent of its electricity. The same system can also be used as backup power in case those stores should get cut off from the grid.

To the extent that businesses derive their power from such onsite generators, the wear and tear on the electric grid is diminished and reliability for customers is enhanced. Costs, technology and fuel supply are still hurdles. That is why the charge will be led by those customers, regulators and environmentalists seeking better performance and cleaner surroundings.

May 07, 2010

Nuclear energy's prospects are even better now that the Obama administration has promised $4 billion for uranium enrichment projects. That's double the previous limit -- a move meant to complement a separate loan guarantee program to promote the development of nuclear power in this country.

Uranium, of course, is the fuel used to run nuclear power plants. At issue is the centrifuge technology, long used by European plants but fairly uncommon in the United States. Here, the efforts are centered on advancing older and more energy intensive models -- all to accommodate two decades of underinvestment in uranium mining and enrichment.