The world's best thinkers on energy and climate
A renewed push by the UK government to plan to meet the nation’s energy needs with small modular reactors is facing two enormous challenges. The so-called SMR competition never awarded any of the $250M{L} in development money due to the distractions of Brexit and possible unraveling of ties to Euratom. … [Read more...]
In the real world, we are in the midst of accelerating rates of change. Therefore, past linear rates of change will no longer apply to the future. These accelerating rates mean that it is quite erroneous for the policy world to assume that the linear changes of the past will hold for the future. … [Read more...]
As a former air regulator, I’ve come to the conclusion that China must integrate its energy and environmental policymaking in order to meet its ambitious goals in both areas. Although the path to clean air and efficient electricity markets extends beyond any particular Five-Year Plan, Chinese policymakers have several opportunities to begin integrating these solutions now. … [Read more...]
The writer Upton Sinclair may have taught the world's first climate lesson when he commented, "It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it!" It is pretty well established that the world needs to get off fossil fuels; yesterday, but the political establishment, which is well funded in the US and Canada, are perfectly happy, at best, to wait for manyana. … [Read more...]
The European Commission is proposing that a voluntary scheme for rating the “smart readiness” of buildings be adopted by the end of 2019. This scheme will include the development of a smart readiness indicator, and a methodology to calculate this. Buildings are becoming micro-energy hubs, but the building sector is lagging behind in understanding the implications. … [Read more...]
Today, India is the world’s most important country for energy and climate policy. The country’s population is huge and growing rapidly, but the vast majority of Indians still live in poverty. In global climate policy and energy markets, India’s economic growth and pattern of industrialization are critical variables with global implications. … [Read more...]
A reporter recently called me and asked me what I thought of the term “energy dominance”, which had been recently introduced by President Trump and his cabinet. I had never heard it before. Rick Perry, Secretary of Energy, explained it as follows: “An energy dominant America means self-reliant. It means a secure nation, free from the geopolitical turmoil of other nations who seek to use energy as an economic weapon.” … [Read more...]
Since the 1980s, the United States has often been a world leader in supporting renewable energy technologies at the state and federal level. Thirty-seven states have enacted binding or voluntary renewable portfolio standards (RPS) requiring that a portion of the electricity mix come from renewable sources by a given date. … [Read more...]
President Trump’s administration dubbed last week “Energy Week,” including a theme of “energy dominance.” Instead of exploring America’s clean energy potential, we’re waiting for the July release of a report by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) examining whether the early retirement of power plants and impact on grid reliability can be blamed on requiring coal plants to reduce pollution while incentivizing clean energy sources. … [Read more...]
In recent weeks, a new energy buzzword has taken flight from Washington, D.C., making stops in Alaska, North Dakota, Texas, Utah and more: “American energy dominance.” Taking a cue from a 2016 speech by then-candidate Donald Trump, top federal officials including Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke have begun to trumpet the notion of energy “dominance.” … [Read more...]
If you hadn’t heard, the Trump Administration has declared this week to be “Energy Week”, a week during which the President and his senior officials are focusing on the theme of “U.S. Energy Dominance.” Not “energy independence” or “energy security”, both themes past presidential administrations have focused upon – “energy dominance.” The post, Is The U.S. Close To Achieving 'Energy Dominance'?, was first published on OilPrice.com. By David … [Read more...]
EIA projects that trends in coal production in the United States could range from flat to continuing declines through 2040. Electric power generation accounts for more than 92% of U.S. coal demand, and domestic coal production has declined significantly over the past decade as coal has been displaced by natural gas and renewables in electric generation. … [Read more...]
Congress is likely to tackle federal tax reform in 2017 and may consider new ideas. One proposal it should seriously consider is clean tax cuts—the application of supply-side tax rate cuts to investments that reduce the emissions of harmful pollutants. Cutting tax rates on income gained from clean investments such as energy efficiency improvements could incentivize investors to tap large amounts of private capital. … [Read more...]
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