Publications

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EPA.  After a three year hold, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit lifted its hold on EPA’s Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The Rule — which governs some air pollution that drifts across state lines — was upheld by the Supreme Court in April.  Politico

Energy Policy.  At yesterday’s EU meeting about energy and climate change policy, leaders committed to a legally-binding agenda to cut carbon emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. Additionally, the leaders agreed to raise the proportion of renewables in the EU’s energy mix to 27% compared with1990 levels, as well a 27% improvement in energy efficiency.  WSJ

OP-ED of the Day

Energy Outlook.  William Antholis and Han Chen of the Brookings Institute argue that President Obama’s “Climate Change legacy” will likely be greatly impacted by the results of the upcoming midterm congressional elections.  The authors assert that if Congressional Republicans succeed in undermining Obama’s EPA authority, future U.S. pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other such negotiations in next year’s Paris Climate Conference will lose credibility with foreign diplomats.  Brookings

Quote of the Week

“Here in the U.S., if we were to take off the table an existing source of carbon-free energy, it would simply be irresponsible.”

— Former Environmental Protection Agency chief Carol Browner in a statement about the need to maintain supplies of nuclear power.  (10.24.14)

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Energy Policy.  The Wall Street Journal reports that the energy package up for vote at the EU’s meeting today will likely include concessions in order to avoid a veto by one of the member countries.  Additionally, reactions by businesses to the energy package have been split — some sectors have warned that it will drive up energy prices and harm competition, while others argue that it will help generate energy efficiency improvements across the board.  WSJ

Energy Security.  According to Treasury Department official David Cohen, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) brings in roughly $1 million per day from black market oil sales by extracting oil and then selling it to smugglers, who then proceed to transport the oil outside of ISIL’s strongholds.  The Treasury Department announced plans last month to “intensify [their] effort to undermine” these sales, and reports that these efforts have been mildly successful so far.  The Hill

OP-ED of the Day

Coal.  Marina Lou, legal adviser to Greenpeace International, discusses measures many countries are taking against corruption associated with the coal industry.  She argues that greater transparency within regulatory systems and greater accountability of national leaders are crucial to reduce this corruption and protect citizens who receive little benefit from natural resource exports.  Project Syndicate

Fact of the Week

Energy Outlook.  U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) have declined in five of the past eight years — largely due to emissions reductions in the electric power sector and historically low growth in electricity demand.  EIA

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Energy Outlook. Disputes between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas have raised concerns in Europe that Russian oil piped through Ukraine will be interrupted in the coming winter. The disputes center around how much Ukraine owes for gas it has already consumed and how quickly the country needs to repay Russia, as well as the terms of future deliveries. NY Times

Energy Policy. Leaders of the European Union will meet tomorrow to “reassert their global leadership in climate protection”, but are divided about how to generate needed energy given tight budgets for green-energy projects and their diverse views on the role of natural gas and nuclear power. The leaders will be primarily discussing the 2030 climate and energy package, the goal of which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent by 2050. NY Times

OP-ED of the Day

Energy Outlook. David Russell, contributor to The Hill, notes that declining oil prices are the norm for the foreseeable future and will serve as a direct stimulus to the United States economy. He argues that gasoline prices are likely to drop by over $1 per gallon in the coming year, which equates to $130 billion of money “in the hands of ordinary folk to spend on other things”. This “extra money” amounts to more than $320 billion if the ripple effects of extra buying power are accounted for. The Hill

Report of the Week

Energy Outlook. A new report from the American Action Forum, a research group aligned with Republicans, found that energy-producing states were able bounce back more quickly and successfully from the 2009 recession than states who imported most of their energy. The report argues that additional policies to encourage energy development would insulate the economy from future international disruptions. The Hill

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Nuclear.  The owners of seven old nuclear plants are preparing to ask for permission to extend the life of existing nuclear reactors.  Proponents argue that extending the lifetimes of plants is more economical than building new plants and a better way to maintain carbon dioxide emissions; others warn that running reactors beyond their economic lifetime and into “embrittlement” is not wise.   NY Times

Climate Change.  According to researchers from the Global Carbon project, carbon dioxide emissions across the world were higher last year than ever before.  The three highest emitters of carbon dioxide were China, the United States, and India, with carbon dioxide growths rates of 5.1%, 4.2%, and 2.9% from 2013, respectively.  The Hill

Energy Policy.  Following the release of a 15-page report detailing government subsidies for wind power in Texas, tax credits for the broader energy industry have come under scrutiny.  In response to recent criticisms and calls for reform, Texas lawmakers have commissioned a new report on the impact of incentives for natural gas operators, which is scheduled to be released in coming weeks.  NY Times

OP-ED of the Day

Climate Change. Chris Mooney discusses implications of frequent new “record” global temperature averages, particularly in light of the past 355 consecutive months in which the planet has been warmer than the 20th century average. Mooney points out that many individuals do not actually feel the steady above-average temperatures — noting the “polar vortex” of last winter — but that nonetheless, 2014 is on track to set the new all-time high global temperature record.  WP

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Oil. The dramatic drop in oil prices seen in recent weeks has raised several key questions for policymakers, including whether the U.S. or other major oil-producing countries will cut back production and how much falling prices will boost the U.S. economy ahead of the midterm elections.  Additionally, while the recent price decline’s impact on the crude exports debate is uncertain, it may provide a boost to the anti-Keystone pipeline argument.  Politico

Natural Gas. Increased production, warm weather, and new pipelines have caused a rapid increase in natural gas stockpiles, pulling down prices ahead of the winter.  While the EIA predicts natural gas prices to be 6.8% higher than last winter, natural gas consumption is expected to fall this winter – largely because last winter’s extreme weather is unlikely to be repeated.  WSJ

Oil. A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that repealing the ban on crude oil exports would increase domestic oil production, reduce the U.S. trade deficit, and narrow the gap between U.S. and international crude oil prices.  Furthermore, the report finds that ending the crude export ban would also benefit U.S. consumers through lower fuel prices.  The Hill

OP-ED of the Day

Energy Security. The Washington Post editorial board argues that oil price declines are putting pressure on Iran, Russia, and Venezuela by compounding the effect of sanctions and cutting state revenues, potentially providing the U.S. with a geopolitical advantage in coming years.  WP