FOSSIL FUELS
Near-term oil futures reflect uncertainty caused by the government shutdown that began on October 1 and the upcoming debt ceiling deadline on October 17. Overview The long-term oil futures market has remained flat, demonstrating expectations of longer-term supply increases as forecast by the Energy Information Administration. A United States default in October would weaken the…...
EPA will solicit public input for its proposed carbon dioxide emissions standards for existing power plants through a series of scheduled listening sessions. On September 30, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a schedule of 11 public listening sessions across the U.S. to solicit input for its proposed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions standards for…...
On September 30, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Fifth Assessment Report on climate change, the latest installment in a series of reports examining global warming. The report for Policymakers was released September 27. Overview The IPCC report concluded with 95 percent confidence that human activity is contributing to climate…...
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed regulations that would authorize new LNG facilities in the state for the first time since a 1973 explosion. On September 26, 2013, the New York State DEC proposed regulations that would permit siting, construction, and operation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck fueling stations…...
Shell has selected Louisiana’s Ascension Parish as the potential site for its Gulf Coast natural gas-to-liquids facility. On September 24, 2013, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Royal Dutch Shell announced selection of Louisiana’s Ascension Parish as the site for a proposed Gulf Coast natural gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant, a cost of least $12.5 billion. Shell will also fund…...
On September 18, the House Energy and Commerce Committee heard testimony from EPA and DOE officials on the Obama Administration’s climate change policies and continued the debate over the requirement to require Carbon Capture and Sequestration technologies in future sources. On September 20, the EPA released its draft rule to set national emissions limits on…...
The biofuels industry has benefited from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) since 2005. The standard has since expanded and been a source of debate largely centered on the reliance of U.S. fuel consumption estimates, the feasibility of production levels for various feedstocks, and reaching minimum greenhouse gas reduction levels when weighting direct and indirect greenhouse…...
A Subcommittee report spells out states’ perspective on EPA’s planned regulations for coal-fueled power plants, underscoring that EPA is poised to exceed its authority. On September 13, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, and Power Subcommittee Chairman Ed Whitfield (R-KY) released a whitepaper explaining that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is…...
DOE’s fourth LNG export approval comes just weeks after the previous (Lake Charles) approval, indicating an improved timeline for evaluating pending applications. On September 11, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced conditional authorization for Dominion Cove Point LNG LP to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-Free Trade Agreement (non-FTA) nations. The authorization, subject…...
California Senate and Assembly passed a bill that would impose the state’s first hydraulic fracturing regulations, facilitating oil and gas development in the Monterey Shale play. On September 11, 2013, Senate Bill 4, a bill that would impose the state’s first regulations on hydraulic fracturing and other oil field practices, cleared the state Assembly by a…...
Freeport LNG has entered into long-term natural gas liquefaction tolling agreements with two Asian companies. On September 9, 2013, Freeport LNG Expansion LP announced that it has signed agreements with two Asian companies to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) from its proposed natural gas liquefaction and loading facility at Quintana Island, Texas. The two separate…...
On September 30, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider a major challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s implementation of greenhouse gas regulations under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act, a hearing that could affect President Obama’s timetable for existing power plants and state implementation plans. The EPA will likely face ongoing litigation on most…...
