Relief for New York City’s Transit Deserts? Commuter Trains Might Help
A planned billion-dollar rail expansion in the Bronx is fueling a larger debate over using aboveground trains to supplement subway and bus service.
New electric generating capacity in 2019 will come from renewables and natural gas
(Thu, 10 Jan 2019) According to EIAâs latest inventory of electric generators, 23.7 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity additions and 8.3 GW of capacity retirements are expected for the U.S. electric power sector in 2019. The utility-scale capacity additions consist primarily of wind (46%), natural gas (34%), and solar photovoltaics (18%), with the remaining 2% consisting primarily of other renewables and battery storage capacity.
The Middle East, Africa, and Asia now drive nearly all global energy consumption growth
(Wed, 09 Jan 2019) Energy consumption in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa continues to grow rapidly, with about 20% growth in each region between 2010 and 2016, according to newly available data in EIAâs International Energy Statistics database. In particular, energy consumption has been increasing in the Middle East and Africa, driven by economic growth, increased access to energy markets, and quickly growing populations. Energy consumption in Asia continues to grow even as energy consumption in China declined between 2015 and 2016.
Wholesale power prices were generally higher in 2018, with both winter and summer spikes
(Tue, 08 Jan 2019) Wholesale electricity prices during 2018 at major trading hubs in the United States were generally higher than in 2017. Wholesale prices in 2018 ranged from 14% higher than in 2017 in the area served by the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) to 60% higher in the ERCOT electricity market serving most of Texas. Monthly wholesale electricity prices were also more volatile in 2018 than in 2017, seeing spikes during the winter and summer months.
Country Analysis Briefs
(Mon, 07 Jan 2019) In response to stakeholder feedback, the U.S. Energy Information Administration has revised the format of the Country Analysis Briefs. Future updates will be in two complementary formats: the Country Analysis Executive Summary provides an overview of recent developments in a country's energy sector and the Background Reference provides historical context. Archived versions will remain available in the original format.
Russia High-Rise Collapse an Emblem of Hardships in the Hinterlands
While the Kremlin pours money into the military, Russia’s infrastructure is crumbling, inviting more tragedies like the building collapse in southern Russia this week that killed 39.
U.S. average retail gasoline prices ended the year lower than they started
(Fri, 04 Jan 2019) U.S. regular retail gasoline prices averaged $2.72 per gallon (gal) in 2018, 30 cents/gal (13%) higher than in 2017 and 57 cents/gal higher than in 2016. However, a rapid price decline beginning in October led to U.S. average regular gasoline prices ending the year lower than they began for the first time since 2015. In 5 of the 10 cities for which EIA collects weekly retail price data, gasoline prices exceeded $3.00/gal at least once in 2018.
Crude oil prices end the year lower than they began the year
(Thu, 03 Jan 2019) Brent crude oil averaged $72 per barrel (b) in 2018, and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) averaged $65/b in 2018. The prices for both crude oils finished the year lower than they began it. Brent and WTI each hit their highest prices during the year on October 3 at $86/b and $76/b, respectively. Prices for each benchmark fell quickly after that, and on December 24, Brent reached an annual low of $50/b and WTI reached an annual low of $43/b.
Energy commodity prices fell significantly in the last quarter of 2018
(Wed, 02 Jan 2019) After increasing 25% from January through the beginning of October in 2018, the spot energy index in the S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (GSCI) ended the year 21% lower than at the beginning of the year. The S&P GSCI is a weighted average of commodity prices intended to reflect global commodity production quantities and futures contractsâ trading volumes. Although all components of the S&P GSCI fell in 2018, the S&P GSCI energy index fell more than any other sub-index.
Why the West Coast Is Suddenly Beating the East Coast on Transportation
Subways in the Northeast are falling apart and losing riders. Cities on the West Coast are pouring money into their transportation networks.