NATURAL GAS
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has advanced legislation that would restrict EPA authority to finalize power plant emissions regulations. On January 28, 2014, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the Electricity Security and Affordability Act (H.R. 3826) designed to provide a reasonable alternative to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) impending carbon dioxide…...
U.S. Commerce Chamber’s new energy advocacy platform proposes actionable recommendations to capitalize on the nation’s energy potential. On January 15, 2014, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy launched its new energy advocacy platform titled “Energy Works for US,” a comprehensive plan with recommendations for 2014 and beyond. The plan, an update…...
EIA estimates a two percent increase in 2013 energy-related emissions over 2012 due to increased coal-fired electricity generation. On January 13, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report estimating that U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2013 were approximately two percent above 2012 levels mainly due to a slight increase in the use…...
Alaska Governor’s latest plans to advance Alaska’s long-sought natural gas pipeline calls for state ownership share in the state’s LNG export project. On January 10, 2014, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell announced a proposal to establish state equity partnership in the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project. To this end, the state will terminate its 2008…...
President Obama has ordered a comprehensive energy strategy review to ensure federal policies continue to address changing energy requirements. On January 9, 2014, President Obama signed a memorandum establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) to enhance the federal government’s capability to provide a comprehensive and integrated energy strategy to meet challenges posed by rising energy…...
EPA has published its long-anticipated proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for new power plants, setting separate limits for new coal- and natural gas-fired plants. On January 8, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed New Source Performance Standards to regulate CO2 emissions from new fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs). EPA also published…...
EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projects a 56 percent increase in natural gas production by 2040, overtaking coal as the largest share of U.S. electric power generation. On December 16, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the AEO 2014 Early Release Overview presenting updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2040. The AEO…...
Oil and gas industry groups have expressed disapproval of a Senate tax-reform draft citing proposals that would deter domestic investment and job creation. On December 13, 2013, a group of 14 oil and gas trade groups led by the American Petroleum Institute (API) sent a letter to Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), stating that…...
DOE has released an $8B loan guarantee solicitation to finance innovative and advanced fossil energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On December 12, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched its $8B loan guarantee program, soliciting applications to finance projects that employ innovative or significantly improved fossil energy technologies, such as advanced resource development,…...
A new study finds that U.S. methane emissions are highly underestimated by current studies. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on November 25, 2013 found that U.S. methane emissions could be 50 percent higher than current estimates. Specifically, nationwide anthropogenic methane emissions are likely to be 1.5 times…...
The House has passed a bill aimed to expedite federal review of natural gas pipeline permit applications. On November 21, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act (H.R. 1900), a bipartisan legislation aimed to expedite review of licenses, permits, and approvals pertinent to siting, construction, expansion, and operation…...
A new methanol production facility proposed for Texas will be the largest of its kind in the U.S., spurred by cheap and abundant natural gas availability. On November 21, 2013, OCI N.V., a Dutch fertilizer company, announced plans to build a methanol production facility in Beaumont, Texas. The facility, with an estimated annual capacity of…...