NATURAL GAS
The DOE has announced four research projects focused on advanced technologies to improve gasification systems for greater power generation efficiency and environmental performance. On November 6, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding for four projects focused on next-generation gasification systems that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The research projects will develop technologies that…...
The EPA has announced the largest penalty under the Clean Air Act, requiring automakers Hyundai and Kia to pay $100M for violating tailpipe GHG emission standards. On November 3, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement resolving alleged Clean Air Act violations of Hyundai and Kia for…...
The White House has released federal agencies’ sustainability and climate plans outlining methods to incorporate energy and climate considerations into their decision-making. On October 31, 2014 – the fifth anniversary of the 2009 Executive Order on Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance – the White House released federal agencies’ sustainability and climate change adaptation plans, detailing…...
The BLM has released the final environmental review of the proposed GMT1 project, facilitating the first commercial oil and gas activity on NPR-A. On October 29, 2014, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued the final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the proposed Greater Mooses Tooth Unit 1 (GMT1) project, facilitating the first commercial…...
N Governor Cuomo has announced the establishment of a strategic fuel reserve in Upstate New York to address potential emergency supply gaps. On October 29, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the Upstate Strategic Fuel Reserve Program to address potential disruptions in fuel supply during storms and emergencies. The reserve comprises six terminals…...
The EPA has issued a supplemental proposal to the Clean Power Plan to address power plant emissions in Indian Country and U.S. territories. On October 28, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a supplemental proposal to the June 2014 Clean Power Plan to limit carbon emissions from electric generating units (EGUs) in Indian Country…...
A federal appeals court has lifted the stay of EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule which addresses interstate transport of air pollution that affects downwind states’ ability to meet air quality standards. On October 23, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) motion to lift…...
According to EIA, the share of imports in U.S. energy consumption for the first half of 2014 reached the lowest level in 29 years. On October 10, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report showing that net U.S. energy imports as a share of consumption for the January-June 2014 period reached the lowest…...
ISO-NE’s eighth Forward Capacity Market Auction (FCA-8) rates became effective September 16, 2014, despite FERC being unable to reach agreement on whether the filing was “just and reasonable.” The final price for existing sources was set at the administrative price of $7.025/kW-month, a 123 percent increase from the FCA-7 clearing price. The Northeast Massachusetts (NEMA)/Boston…...
The Massachusetts Attorney General has sought DPU action to mitigate spikes in winter rates and extend the state’s Winter Moratorium by one month. On October 2, 2014, Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Martha Coakley wrote to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) requesting an investigation into ways to mitigate National Grid’s winter rate spikes that will…...
The FERC has authorized Dominion’s Cove Point LNG terminal to export up to 5.75 million metric tons of LNG per year from its existing import terminal at Calvert County, Maryland. On September 29, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP to construct and operate facilities for liquefaction and export…...
On September 17, 2014, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing entitled “Reforming America’s Outdated Energy Tax Code.” Retroactively extending tax provisions has significant impact on financial accounting for multiple energy industries, including wind and solar, and also small and mid-sized businesses such as commercial building owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and design-construction companies…....