July 15, 2009

The quandary surrounding natural gas drilling is deepening. While natural gas is both cleaner and prevalent in unconventional forms, environmental groups have expressed concerns that it is becoming too easy to get exploratory permits and that drinking water supplies are becoming endangered as a result.

Accessing natural gas deposits is difficult because of environmental laws. And getting to unconventional sources is not any easier. But the difference is that the conventional fields are becoming depleted while the output from coal-bed methane and shale formations are expanding. Today, such fuel sources that can be transformed into natural gas represent a trend in energy production.

July 13, 2009

Despite a credit crunch, the nation's rural cooperatives are exemplifying relative financial strength. Such entities are showing that they are able to secure lines of credit to conduct their operations and to build generation and transmission.

Those utilities have played a vital role in transforming their communities from desolate areas to ones flush with modern services. But the job is not finished and nearly all must continue to invest in their infrastructure. Now that the economy is on the verge of rebounding, they face a choice between contracting for wholesale power and constructing their own power plants.

July 06, 2009

One of the world's best examples of smart grid technology and applications in action is smack in the middle of the U.S. heartland at Oklahoma Gas & Electric, which has been in business longer than Oklahoma has been a state.

In fact, Oklahoma only attained statehood in 1907. OG&E -- as it is known -- dates back to 1902. And in recent years, a developing smart grid vision has taken root in corporate strategy, expressed clearly and succinctly to the OG&E entities that are now working diligently to make that vision a reality.

June 29, 2009

Tell Ken Copp that the U.S. electric grid needs to "get smart," and he'll politely set you straight.

Copp, the strategic technical advisor for American Transmission Company (ATC), is but one of an increasingly vocal number of power engineers and transmission and distribution utility owners who beg to differ with the popular opinion that our electric grid is somehow "dumb," or operating "without a brain."

"The way we look at it, the grid's been smart for a while," he said. "It takes some pretty sophisticated tools to monitor, dispatch and control electricity flow."

June 24, 2009

Key Senate Democrats are trying to relieve restrictions to offshore drilling near Florida's coast. But some Republicans are saying the effort is too weak and will not do much to improve the nation's oil and gas future.

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed legislation that would make it easier to lease parts of Florida's coastline to oil and gas producers. The measure, which will likely be part of a broader bill dealing with energy efficiency and renewable fuels, would cut in half the current buffer zone.