The Trump administration is seeking new avenues to revive coal and nuclear, such as research to diversify coal use and design new reactors. Although new technologies may slow the downturn of coal and nuclear, hopes of a renaissance remain dim as the industries lose out to cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient resources.
DetailsThe Trump administration is seeking new avenues to revive coal and nuclear, such as research to diversify coal use and design new reactors. Although new technologies may slow the downturn of coal and nuclear, hopes of a renaissance remain dim as the industries lose out to cheaper, cleaner, and more efficient resources.
Mississippi regulators require the Kemper coal plant – hailed as the first large-scale clean coal facility – to run only on natural gas ending a seven year effort to demonstrate the viability of clean coal technology. The project's failure is a major setback for carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly given the interest to save the coal industry under the Trump administration. The Kemper plant’s switch to natural gas is part of a broader trend caused by low-cost, low-carbon natural gas, making it difficult for expensive technologies to compete. Faced with adverse economics, the prospects of CCS will likely depend on the policy environment.
DetailsMississippi regulators require the Kemper coal plant – hailed as the first large-scale clean coal facility – to run only on natural gas ending a seven year effort to demonstrate the viability of clean coal technology. The project's failure is a major setback for carbon capture and storage (CCS), particularly given the interest to save the coal industry under the Trump administration. The Kemper plant’s switch to natural gas is part of a broader trend caused by low-cost, low-carbon natural gas, making it difficult for expensive technologies to compete. Faced with adverse economics, the prospects of CCS will likely depend on the policy environment.
Legislation enacted across states in 2017 calls for greater diversity in power sources—from expanding renewables to supporting nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. However, there is a clear trend showing the intent to prioritize clean energy and climate policy. States in the forefront of grid modernization plans continue to support renewable development while others are following their models as a way to emulate effective policies.
DetailsLegislation enacted across states in 2017 calls for greater diversity in power sources—from expanding renewables to supporting nuclear and natural gas infrastructure. However, there is a clear trend showing the intent to prioritize clean energy and climate policy. States in the forefront of grid modernization plans continue to support renewable development while others are following their models as a way to emulate effective policies.
President Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed to undo multiple climate regulations and agency actions that potentially burden the development of domestically produced energy resources. The most noted action of the order is a review of the Clean Power Plan, a central piece of the Obama administration’s climate agenda. The order also lifts the moratorium on federal coal leasing and calls for a review of existing regulations, including those governing hydraulic fracturing and methane emissions, which could significantly impact the oil and gas industry in the long term.
DetailsPresident Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed to undo multiple climate regulations and agency actions that potentially burden the development of domestically produced energy resources. The most noted action of the order is a review of the Clean Power Plan, a central piece of the Obama administration’s climate agenda. The order also lifts the moratorium on federal coal leasing and calls for a review of existing regulations, including those governing hydraulic fracturing and methane emissions, which could significantly impact the oil and gas industry in the long term.
The Department of the Interior has released a scoping report identifying potential reforms to the federal coal program including options to increase royalty rates and account for climate impact. Efforts to follow through the recommendations under the new administration are unlikely, given that both President-elect Trump and Zinke, Trump’s nominee for DOI Secretary, are inclined to further coal development.
DetailsThe Department of the Interior has released a scoping report identifying potential reforms to the federal coal program including options to increase royalty rates and account for climate impact. Efforts to follow through the recommendations under the new administration are unlikely, given that both President-elect Trump and Zinke, Trump’s nominee for DOI Secretary, are inclined to further coal development.
Key Takeaways: The Mercury and Air Toxics (MATS) rule represented one of the most significant air pollution regulations in U.S. history when it was announced in 2011 The Supreme Court rejected the rule, ruling that the EPA should have considered costs initially when assessing whether the rule was “appropriate and necessary” The specific nature of…
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…
