Washington Metro Repairs Leave More Commuters Stuck in Traffic
An effort to repair decades’ worth of infrastructure deterioration in the subway system has increased commutes for some, but others have sought to profit from the chaos.
As the Olympics Near, Brazil and Rio Let the Bad Times Roll
A struggling economy, government corruption and the Zika virus have generated unwanted publicity before the Games.
Let’s get physical, physical — but what exactly is physical (gold)?
Following Swiss gold import/export data this week it dawned on S&P Global Platts that there has been a glut of headlines this year suggesting that physical gold demand is on its knees.
Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auction prices decline
(Fri, 24 Jun 2016) Prices of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission allowances in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) have fallen for the second auction in a row, to $4.53 per metric ton (mt) of CO2. The auction prices on June 1 were 40% below their previous peak value of $7.50/mtCO2, reached on December 2, 2015.
Azerbaijan Country Analysis Brief
(Fri, 24 Jun 2016) Azerbaijan is one of the world?s oldest oil producers, and oil and natural gas production and exports are central to Azerbaijan's economy. Azerbaijan?s oil production has been relatively stable over the last few years, but oil revenues declined about 40% from 2014 to 2015 due to lower oil prices. Natural gas production and exports will increase significantly in the coming years as the Stage 2 development of the Shah Deniz natural gas and condensate field will more than double Azerbaijan?s natural gas exports by the end of the decade.
The World’s Disappearing Sand
Extracting the stuff is a $70 billion industry, but it can inflict terrible costs on the environment.
Panama Canal expansion unlikely to significantly change crude oil, petroleum product flows
(Thu, 23 Jun 2016) On June 26, the Panama Canal Authority, the body that operates the Panama Canal, will inaugurate a third set of locks, which will allow for the transit of larger ships. This is the first such expansion since the canal was completed in 1914.
Fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions Phase 2 standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles
(Thu, 23 Jun 2016) This report, the second of six Issues in Focus articles from the Annual Energy Outlook 2016, analyzes possible impacts of proposed standards for GHG emissions and fuel consumption by medium- and heavy-duty trucks jointly issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in July 2015. The proposed standards build on the Phase 1 GHG emissions standards for medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles that were implemented starting in model year 2014.
Michigan Attorney General Sues 2 Companies Over Flint Water Crisis
The companies, Veolia North America and Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, were hired to advise the city about using the Flint River as its drinking water source.
Infrastructure ‘Crisis’ May Compel New Jersey to Finally Raise Gas Tax
With the state’s roads and bridges crumbling and its mass transit plagued with problems, an idea once considered politically unthinkable is gaining traction: increasing the famously low gas tax.