Court Rejects FERC’s Gas Pipeline Approval for Failing to Consider Emissions

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project – a three-part interstate pipeline – over concerns of inadequate review of greenhouse gas emissions. The decision comes while the Trump administration strives to streamline infrastructure permitting, and could broaden the scope of environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act for pipeline projects and other energy infrastructure.

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Court Rejects FERC’s Gas Pipeline Approval for Failing to Consider Emissions

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has rejected the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Southeast Market Pipelines Project – a three-part interstate pipeline – over concerns of inadequate review of greenhouse gas emissions. The decision comes while the Trump administration strives to streamline infrastructure permitting, and could broaden the scope of environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act for pipeline projects and other energy infrastructure.

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS, Visual Primer

Halt of Kemper Coal Gasification Project Deals Blow to Carbon Capture and Storage

Mississippi regulators require the Kemper coal plant – hailed as the first large-scale clean coal facility – to run only on natural gas ending a seven year effort to demonstrate the viability of clean coal technology. The project's failure is a major setback for carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly given the interest to save the coal industry under the Trump administration. The Kemper plant’s switch to natural gas is part of a broader trend caused by low-cost, low-carbon natural gas, making it difficult for expensive technologies to compete. Faced with adverse economics, the prospects of CCS will likely depend on the policy environment.

Coal Power, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, PRODUCTS

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Halt of Kemper Coal Gasification Project Deals Blow to Carbon Capture and Storage

Mississippi regulators require the Kemper coal plant – hailed as the first large-scale clean coal facility – to run only on natural gas ending a seven year effort to demonstrate the viability of clean coal technology. The project's failure is a major setback for carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly given the interest to save the coal industry under the Trump administration. The Kemper plant’s switch to natural gas is part of a broader trend caused by low-cost, low-carbon natural gas, making it difficult for expensive technologies to compete. Faced with adverse economics, the prospects of CCS will likely depend on the policy environment.

Coal Power, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, PRODUCTS, Visual Primer

2017 State Legislative Action Calls for Greater Energy Diversity

Legislation enacted across states in 2017 calls for greater diversity in power sources—from expanding renewables to supporting nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. However, there is a clear trend showing the intent to prioritize clean energy and climate policy. States in the forefront of grid modernization plans continue to support renewable development while others are following their models as a way to emulate effective policies.

Alternative Energy, Carbon Markets, Coal Power, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Reports, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Wind Power

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – State Legislation Update: 6/2017

Legislation enacted across states in 2017 calls for greater diversity in power sources—from expanding renewables to supporting nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. However, there is a clear trend showing the intent to prioritize clean energy and climate policy. States in the forefront of grid modernization plans continue to support renewable development while others are following their models as a way to emulate effective policies.

Alternative Energy, Carbon Markets, Coal Power, Emissions, Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, EnerKnol Research Reports, Environmental Markets, Fossil Fuels, Hydropower, Natural Gas, Nuclear Power, Oil, Power & Utilities, PRODUCTS, Reports, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Visual Primer, Wind Power

Energy Policy Executive Order Bolsters Fossil Fuel Industry

President Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed to undo multiple climate regulations and agency actions that potentially burden the development of domestically produced energy resources. The most noted action of the order is a review of the Clean Power Plan, a central piece of the Obama administration’s climate agenda. The order also lifts the moratorium on federal coal leasing and calls for a review of existing regulations, including those governing hydraulic fracturing and methane emissions, which could significantly impact the oil and gas industry in the long term.

Coal Power, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, PRODUCTS

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Energy Policy Executive Order Bolsters Fossil Fuel Industry

President Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed to undo multiple climate regulations and agency actions that potentially burden the development of domestically produced energy resources. The most noted action of the order is a review of the Clean Power Plan, a central piece of the Obama administration’s climate agenda. The order also lifts the moratorium on federal coal leasing and calls for a review of existing regulations, including those governing hydraulic fracturing and methane emissions, which could significantly impact the oil and gas industry in the long term.

Blog, Coal Power, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, PRODUCTS

Pennsylvania Proposes Methane Regulations beyond Federal Requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality has proposed new and revised general permits, as well as revisions to an air quality permit exemption to reduce methane and other emissions at well sites and compressor stations associated with natural gas operations. The proposals come at a time when Congress is moving towards repealing a federal methane rule, drawing attention to state actions.

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Pennsylvania Proposes Methane Regulations beyond Federal Requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Quality has proposed new and revised general permits, as well as revisions to an air quality permit exemption to reduce methane and other emissions at well sites and compressor stations associated with natural gas operations. The proposals come at a time when Congress is moving towards repealing a federal methane rule, drawing attention to state actions.

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Natural Gas, PRODUCTS

Congress Repeals Multiple Environmental Regulations Invoking Congressional Review Act

The House has passed a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the Methane and Waste Prevention rule, following similar resolutions that allowed Congress to repeal the Stream Protection Rule and Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers. President Trump is expected to sign the resolutions and the White House has strongly supported repealing these regulations citing burdensome compliance requirements that adversely impact jobs and businesses.

EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Oil, PRODUCTS

EnerKnol’s Visual Primer – Congress Repeals Multiple Environmental Regulations Invoking Congressional Review Act

The House has passed a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the Methane and Waste Prevention rule, following similar resolutions that allowed Congress to repeal the Stream Protection Rule and Disclosure of Payments by Resource Extraction Issuers. President Trump is expected to sign the resolutions and the White House has strongly supported repealing these regulations citing burdensome compliance requirements that adversely impact jobs and businesses.

Blog, EnerKnol Research Reports, Fossil Fuels, Oil, PRODUCTS