OIL

EPA Announces New Emissions Standards for Trucks and Trailers

Key Takeaways: The 2013 Climate Action Plan called for new standards to advance fuel economy and emissions reductions in the transportation sector Proposed Phase 2 standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles aim to achieve 24 percent improvement in fuel efficiency by 2027 The new standards will spur advancements in trucking technology, resulting in substantial costs…...

Rate of Regulatory Approval Key to U.S. Role in Global LNG Market

During the 2000s, many companies positioned themselves for a prolonged period of U.S. natural gas import dependence and constructed multi-billion dollar liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals across the Gulf Coast. However, the shale revolution transformed the domestic energy landscape, with natural gas production increasing from 19 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in 2005 to 27…...

Signed Energy Act Sets Tone for Upcoming Energy Legislation Debates

Insight for Industry – Energy Efficiency Improvement Act Will Reduce Energy Demand The Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2015, which President Obama signed into law on April 30, will add momentum to falling energy consumption per capita in the United States by reducing energy demand from commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, and homes. The relatively uncontroversial…...

U.S. Coal Industry Hurt by Market Conditions; Now Hinges on Regulations

Coal has long reigned as the leading energy source for U.S. electricity generation, but structural changes in U.S. energy markets, brought on by technological innovations and new regulatory initiatives, have called into question the future of the coal industry. For over a century, the coal industry has provided the lifeblood for American progress, fueling the…...

FERC Advances Oregon LNG Export Facility as Congress Moves to Fast-Track New Trade Legislation

Trans-Pacific Partnership would Open New Markets for U.S. LNG Export Projects Key Takeaways: U.S. shale gas boom created opportunities to export surplus natural gas to high price markets in Asia, but lengthy regulatory processes have weakened U.S. natural gas producers’ ability to compete with global markets The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) could facilitate western LNG…...

New Oil Economics Drive Export and Tax Debate

The more the 50 percent crude oil price decline since July 2014 has impacted oil and gas industries throughout the supply chain and reignited energy policy debates at federal and state levels. Light, sweet oil has accounted for the majority of the domestic production increase over the last eight years, but since U.S. refiners are…...

Low Natural Gas Prices Increase Effective Rate of Pennsylvania Severance Tax

Pennsylvania’s Natural Gas Industry Challenged by Regulatory Changes While a number of regulatory changes could slow Pennsylvania’s oil and gas expansion, its resource deposits will continue to attract steady growth. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s proposed natural gas severance tax would significantly increase the effective tax rate for shale gas producers in the state, and ongoing…...

Lease Area Proximity and Cost Improvements Support New York Offshore Wind Energy

Insight for Industry – Ongoing Technology Advances and Policy Actions Will Lower New York’s Offshore Wind Costs Global and domestic factors, combined with siting and transmission policies, innovative financing mechanisms, and infrastructure upgrades may allow New York to reduce offshore wind energy costs by 50 percent by 2022. Offshore wind energy cost reductions will enable…...

Senate Oil Export Hearing Panelists Debate National Security and Limited Refinery Capacity

Insight for Industry – U.S. Crude Oil Export Restrictions Cause Refining Mismatch and Light Oil Price Discount The dramatic increase in domestic oil production over the past decade – facilitated by drilling technology improvements – has rekindled the crude oil export debate. Allowing crude oil exports would provide an additional market for light crude derived…...

Market Speculation Drops in 27th RGGI Carbon Allowance Auction

Insight for Industry – RGGI Market Gaining Stability The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s (RGGI) first quarterly auction of 2015 (Auction 27) results indicate a stable market design as compliance entities purchased all allowances and the clearing price remained below the Cost Containment Reserve (CCR) threshold. Despite high overall demand, zero non-compliance (solely financial market) entity…...

Changes in Northeast Natural Gas Demands Challenge Pipeline Proposals

Innovative Plans Optimize Excess Pipeline Capacity during Spring and Fall Seasons Northeast natural gas demand is not consistent year-round. This challenges pipeline project developers to prove project necessity. However, developers are proposing enhancements to existing systems and innovative strategies to make use of potentially excess pipeline capacity. Some proposed options to optimize excess supply and…...