The Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors on Feb. 14 approved the retirement of Paradise Unit 3 by 2020 and the Bull Run Fossil Plant by 2023, in order to better balance its generation system with changing demands. The vote reflects TVA’s commitment to replace less-efficient coal-fired plants with cleaner resources, despite President Donald Trump’s…
U.S. energy exports in 2020 are projected to surpass imports for the first time since 1953, thanks to the continued growth in petroleum and natural gas exports, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency’s Annual Energy Outlook released on Jan. 24. The trend is expected continue for the next three decades driven by large increases in the…
The U.S. Energy Department announced funding for cost-shared research and development projects aimed to develop advanced technologies that enhance the performance, reliability, and flexibility of existing coal power plants, according to a Jan. 23 press release. The research effort is intended to lower emissions and foster new technologies that benefit the grid. Projects will support…
Montana House lawmaker Rodney Garcia, a Republican, introduced legislation on Jan. 15 that would allow the state to sell bonds for up to $500 million to purchase coal-fired generation facilities whose acquisition would be in the public interest. The bill aims at saving the Colstrip plant, which is facing a bleak future as climate change…
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.
