December 14, 2010

Discussions in Cancun are now centering on how to reduce the level of global greenhouse gas emissions. But some of the actions taken here at home are speaking volumes.

It's not that utilities are forsaking their least efficient power generators out of the goodness of their hearts. They are doing so because tougher regulations are occurring and will make retrofitting their coal-fired facilities prohibitively expensive. At the same time, natural gas - with half the carbon emissions of a coal plant -- has remained relatively cheap with no true signs that it will spike.

December 09, 2010

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case over whether the judicial branch can essentially impose carbon limits on companies. The utility world is gleeful but should it be?

The crux of the argument that the utilities are making is that these matters should be left to elected officials and regulators. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has already been given the authority to monitor the carbon emissions from power plants, which it is now trying to do. Understandably, power companies don't want judges telling them how to operate their plants. But they have been just adamant about having the EPA set new rules and regulations.

December 08, 2010

Innovation adds to the wealth of society. Science and technology research and development lie at the heart of innovation. American leadership in this endeavor, which this country still owns, cannot be taken for granted.

These statements provided the basis for an address by U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu at the National Press Club yesterday in a talk titled, "The Energy Race: Our New Sputnik Moment."

It's well worth giving Sec. Chu the floor today. He runs the agency that has instigated much smart grid-related R&D aimed at implementing existing innovations for grid modernization, as well as fostering new innovations that will fuel this country's continued leadership in clean energy, the global space race of the 21st century.

December 07, 2010

When Republicans take control of the House of Representatives in a couple weeks, the national legislative agenda will also change. While trimming the national debt is the top goal, Americans can also expect to less emphasis on environmental regulations and more focus on expanding businesses.

The Republicans have selected their leaders, who created a steering committee to name committee heads. Among those with seniority is Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., who appears to be the top candidate to take over the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee - an obvious slap in the face to Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, who wants this job and who has been that committee's ranking member for several years.

December 06, 2010

Chevron may have shined a light on the future of energy production. The second largest U.S. oil company plans to buy Atlas Energy, which has access to an estimated 9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the Appalachian Basin.

Many analysts are calling the move a no-brainer, meaning that shale gas developers have limited access to capital and are looking to their big brothers in the oil sector for help. And the oil conglomerates, which have had their hands tied in the United States, now see shale gas as a potentially rich vein that can add to their bottom lines over time.