Fixing Our Broken Water Systems
The country has invested far too little in its public works, as governments at all levels have become obsessed with cutting spending.
Wind and Solar Data Projections from the U.S. Energy Information Administration: Past Performance and Planned Enhancements
(Tue, 22 Mar 2016) In an effort to improve EIA's approach to providing accurate, comprehensive data, and useful projections for policy analysis, EIA has conducted a review of its historical data and projections of capacity, generation, and cost projections for wind and solar technologies. While EIA's internal processes and engagement with stakeholders are both continuing, this paper shares some early findings of EIA's current review of our wind and solar data and projections, focusing in part on some of the issues that have been publicly raised by EIA's critics.
Wells drilled since start of 2014 provided nearly half of Lower 48 oil production in 2015
(Tue, 22 Mar 2016) U.S. crude oil production from the Lower 48 states from new wells (drilled since the start of 2014) made up 48% of total U.S. crude oil production in 2015, up from 22% in 2007. Production from new wells has grown as advances in horizontal drilling and completion techniques led to growth in oil production from low-permeability tight reservoirs.
In Canada, a battle brews over pipelines, power lines: Fuel for Thought
With the from Alberta-USGC crude export pipeline unlikely to be built, the opportunity is ideal for Canada's provinces to join hands and hasten efforts to open up oil export outlets.
As coal stockpiles at power plants rise, shippers are reducing coal railcar loadings
(Mon, 21 Mar 2016) Coal stockpiles at electric generating facilities totaled 197 million tons at the end of 2015, the highest level since June 2012 and the highest year-end inventories in at least 25 years. More than 40 million tons of coal were added to stockpiles at electric generating facilities from September-December, the largest build during that timespan in at least 15 years. In addition to relatively low overall electricity generation, coal-fired electricity has recently been losing market share to natural gas and renewable generation.
Should steelmakers beware the ides of March?
With scene-setting worthy of the great Bard himself, our very own soothsayers, Peter Brennan, Sebastian Lewis and Chris Davis deliver their predictions for steel markets across the globe.
Times a-changing for China’s thermal coal market on increased hydro flow
The thermal coal market for China now has to contend with a rival: a low-cost source of power generation that is growing each year.
Demand trends, prices, and policies drive recent electric generation capacity additions
(Fri, 18 Mar 2016) The combination of slower electricity demand growth, low natural gas prices, and policies that encourage renewables-sourced electricity generation is changing the type and the amount of generating capacity added each year.
2012 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey: Energy Usage Summary
(Fri, 18 Mar 2016) EIA has released summary tables providing energy consumption estimates from the 2012 CBECS. The data show that despite a 14% increase in total buildings and a 22% increase in total floorspace since 2003, energy use in the estimated 5.6 million U.S. commercial buildings was up just 7% during the same period. Slower growth in commercial building energy demand since 2003 is explained in part by newer construction that is built to higher energy performance standards, occupied by less energy intensive building activities, and more often built in temperate regions.
State Energy Data System: Nuclear energy for 2014
(Fri, 18 Mar 2016) Annual state-level estimates of nuclear energy consumption, prices, and expenditures.