Crude Oil Price

Crude Oil Market Supply Tightness Supported Higher Oil Prices in 2021: EIA

Brent spot prices began at $50 per barrel in January 2021 and climbed to a high of $86 per barrel in October before falling in the final weeks of the year, according to a Jan. 4 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) on crude oil prices recovery last year. The agency highlighted that…...

Colorado Passes Bill Aiming for 90 Percent Emissions Reduction by 2050

U.S. Energy Department Announces $35 Million for Methane Reduction Technologies

The U.S. Energy Department on Dec. 2 announced $35 million in funding for technologies that aim to reduce methane emissions in the coal, oil, and natural gas sectors. The department selected 12 projects for the grants under a new program called “Reducing Emissions of Methane Every Day of the Year,” or REMEDY, a three-year research…...

U.S. Transportation Department Declares Regional Emergency as Cyberattack Shuts Down Major Fuel Pipeline

U.S. Transportation Department Declares Regional Emergency as Cyberattack Shuts Down Major Fuel Pipeline

The U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on May 9 declared a regional emergency in 17 states and the District of Columbia in response to the unexpected shutdown of the Colonial pipeline system, which transports about 45 percent of fuel consumed on the East Coast. On May 7, the pipeline operator said that…...

State Policy Playbook: Washington Expedites Measures to Fulfill Clean Energy Policy Agenda

State Policy Playbook: Washington Expedites Measures to Fulfill Clean Energy Policy Agenda

Washington is moving expeditiously to implement rules and strategies as the state seeks to achieve carbon-free electricity by 2045 and reduce emissions to net zero by 2050. The state is advancing multiple measures ranging from resource planning rules to establishing a carbon cap-and-trade program, and strengthening auto-emission standards.

U.S. EPA Reverses Finding That Formed Basis for Obama-Era Power Plant Mercury Rules

Washington Lawmakers Pass Bill to Establish Cap-and-Trade Program

The Washington legislature on April 24 passed legislation aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by implementing an economy-wide cap-and-invest system. Upon enactment, Washington will become the second state – next to California – to have a comprehensive carbon-pricing program. The state would auction carbon allowances starting in 2023, aligned with the 2030, 2040, and 2050…...

Visual Primer: Texas and California Blackouts - Comparison of Regulatory and Legislative Responses

Visual Primer: Texas and California Blackouts – Comparison of Regulatory and Legislative Responses

Texas state lawmakers are exploring solutions to address the issues faced during and after the mid-February winter storm event that caused widespread outages across the state. California, which faced a similar predicament due to an unprecedented heatwave in August 2020, albeit smaller in scale and severity, has advanced measures to ensure reliability this summer.

President Biden Commits U.S. to Achieve 50 Percent Emissions Reductions in 2030

President Biden Commits U.S. to Achieve 50 Percent Emissions Reductions in 2030

U.S. President Joe Biden on April 22 announced a new target for the U.S. to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52 percent in 2030 relative to 2005 levels. In January, Biden took action to recommit the U.S. to the Paris Climate Agreement, as part of a series of executive actions reflecting his energy agenda…...

Visual Primer: Natural Gas Planning Being Reshaped by Policies Centered on Climate-Focused Energy Future

Visual Primer: Natural Gas Planning Being Reshaped by Policies Centered on Climate-Focused Energy Future

Ongoing state initiatives to transition to a low-carbon future and new actions from the federal level are impacting natural gas utilities’ long-term planning strategies. The challenge for utilities is to adapt to the changing policy landscape, evolving in ways that contribute to decarbonization.

Washington Lawmakers Pass Bill to Adopt Clean Fuel Standard

Washington Lawmakers Pass Bill to Adopt Clean Fuel Standard

Washington state lawmakers on April 8 passed legislation to establish a clean fuels standard aimed to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuel to 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2035. The program is expected to facilitate the shift to lower carbon fuels, including expanding the market for renewable natural gas as a transportation fuel…....