Energy Literacy Advocates Newsroom
Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education and advocacy group dedicated to improving the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy in order to empower a comprehensive national energy policy that is responsible and sustainable. Stay tuned for updated energy news!
Friday, May 29, 2009
New Federal Funding for Alternative Energy Released
"These centers will mobilize the enormous talents and skills of our nation's scientific workforce in pursuit of the breakthroughs that are essential to make alternative and renewable energy truly viable as large-scale replacements for fossil fuels," said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado will receive part of that funding, and will be home to a new multimillion-dollar Energy Frontier Research Center, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday. NREL's center is expected to receive $4 million annually for five years.
NREL officials will also participate in research conducted by six other Energy Frontier Research Centers.
Labels: energy sources, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:14 AM
0 comments
Thursday, May 28, 2009
OPEC Confident of Demand Recovery
Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi stated that“prices are good, the market is in good shape,” and that this fact lead the group not to alter its target outputs.
Mike Wittner, head of oil market research at Societe Generale SA in London, felt the most significant development of the conference was the forecast of demand recovery, occuring currently, in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.
The OPEC decision precedes the U.S. Energy Department's release on oil data today. General trends point towards declining oil stockpiles, which indicate growing demand.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: economy, oil price, oil supply, oil supply/demand
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:12 AM
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
EIA Releases Extended Energy, Pollution Outlook
While substantial growth is expected in the use of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, wind and solar, the EIA maintains that overall growth in demand will require continued reliance on fossil fuels, especially oil and coal.
The biggest increases in energy use will come from economically developing countries such as China and India.
To read more, click here.
Labels: energy, energy policy, energy sources, environment, global warming
posted by Amanda Voss at 12:37 PM
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
G8 Calls for Continued Investment in Alternative Energy
With the global economic downturn and credit crunch, projects in both conventional and alternative energy sources have been halted.
“The current financial and economic crisis must not delay investments and programmed energy projects which are essential to economic recovery and sustainable prosperity,” ministers from the G8 and 15 other countries including Saudi Arabia, China and India said in their concluding statement yesterday after a three-day meeting.
To read the full article in Bloomberg, click here.
Labels: economy, energy, energy sources
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:13 AM
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Friday, May 22, 2009
Waxman-Markey Climate Bill Meets Deadline
National Review offers a brief cost and benefit analysis of the bill - to access this article, click here.
Wall Street Journal blogs about the diplomatic ramifications of the bill - to access this article, click here.
New York Times offers some predictions of what lies ahead for the bill - to access this article, click here.
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:13 AM
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
2008 Data Reveals Record Drop in U.S. Carbon Emissions
Much of this decrease may be attributed to the drop in travel caused by soaring gasoline and diesel costs last summer and the general economic decline later in the year, which added up to a 2.2 percent drop in energy consumption. The largest previous drop in travel related emissions was 1.3 percent in 1991.
Overall, the government reported Wednesday that energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined by 2.8 percent last year compared to 2007, the largest annual drop since the government began regular reporting of greenhouse gas pollution.
To read more, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy, environment, global warming
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:26 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Google Partnership Offers New Tool for Energy Efficiency
Utilizing "smart" meters installed by the utility partner, PowerMeter enables customers to monitor their consumption on their personal iGoogle homepage.
So far, Google has partnered with utilities in California, Texas, Florida, India, Wisconsin, Missouri, Canada and Kentucky.
To read more about this new energy development, click here.
Labels: efficiency, energy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:55 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
President Announces Requirements for More Fuel Efficient Vehicles
Obama said the national standards, announced at a White House ceremony attended by auto industry and union leaders, would reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and give five years of cost certainty to an industry battling to survive.
For more click here.
Labels: efficiency, u.s. energy policy
posted by Jamie Lang at 2:15 PM
0 comments
Amendments, Debate Open Today on Energy Act
Major Republican proposals look to include hydropower and other alternative energy sources in the bill, as well as mitigate forecast negative economic effects of some of the measures - specifically cap and trade proposals.
To read a critique of the proposed legislation, click here.
Labels: climate change, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:02 AM
0 comments
Monday, May 18, 2009
New Standard To Be Set For U.S. Autos
The move is expected to resolve discrepancies between state and federal emissions and mileage standards. Obama's new federal standard will put in place new mileage requirements to be administered by the Department of Transportation that would match the stringency of the California program.
Under the new standard, the national fleet mileage rule for cars would be roughly 42 miles a gallon in 2016. Light trucks would have to meet a fleet average of slightly more than 26.2 miles a gallon by 2016. As a result, cars and light trucks sold in the United States will be roughly 30 percent cleaner and more fuel-efficient by 2016.
To read more, click here.
Labels: automakers, CAFE standards, efficiency, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 11:02 AM
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Energy Committee Opens Debate Today
Sponsored by committee chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Energy and Environment Subcommittee chairman Edward Markey (D-MA), the bill offers some sweeping changes in U.S. energy policy, including limits on carbon emissions and a government-run permitting system.
Committee Republicans are expected to offer an alternative measure and amendments during today's hearings.
To read more, click here.
Labels: climate change, energy policy, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:27 AM
0 comments
Friday, May 15, 2009
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 Takes Another Step
“We will have the votes for passage of this bill next week,” predicted Henry Waxman, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Several compromises have helped the bill reach this point. Revisions in the bill call for a 17 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2020 - down from the original 20 percent reduction, but still higher than Obama’s initial target of some 15 percent.
Renewable energy targets have dropped from 17.5 percent by 2020 to 15 percent. The 15 percent target will be combined with a requirement to boost energy efficiency by 5 percent, for a total of 20 percent.
For more coverage on this bill, click here.
Labels: climate change, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:47 AM
0 comments
Thursday, May 14, 2009
U.S. Funding Pulled from Hydrogen Car
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles became a cornerstone of alternative energy funding research during the Bush administration. Obama's administration has embraced a different transportation view, turning instead to hybrid and electric vehicles.
To read more coverage and discussion of this issue in Reuters, click here.
Labels: automakers, renewables, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:48 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
House Democrats Seek Party Consensus for American Clean Energy and Security Act
This legislation will have to please both environmental and industry groups and have the support of moderate Democrats on the House Energy Committee.
The bill, which includes "Cash for Clunkers" and other environmental provisions, is slated for a Memorial Day release from Committee. To help ensure its survival, Democrats have lowered targets for renewable energy, will require a smaller reduction by 2020 in the emissions blamed for global warming, and will give away valuable permits to release pollution to electricity distribution companies and auto manufacturers.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: environment, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:29 AM
0 comments
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Amidst Rocky Market, EIA Releases Oil Forecast
While numbers might be falling, China appears on the EIA's radar with growing demand forecasted, even for the economic downturn of 2009. Based upon China's recent purchases, oil rose above $60 a barrel - a six month high - in the markets on Tuesday.
To read a full analysis in The Wall Street Journal, click here.
Labels: economy, energy, oil price, oil supply, oil supply/demand
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:46 AM
0 comments
Monday, May 11, 2009
Energy Legislation Draft Possible This Week
The subcomittee has pledged to maintain its Memorial Day deadline for release.
While agreement exists over provisions like "Cash for Clunkers," dissension remains over climate policy. Lawmakers have focused on four critical areas: targets and timetables for domestic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, distribution of valuable emission allowances; use of offsets to ease industrial compliance costs; and a nationwide renewable electricity standard.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: automakers, energy policy, environment, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 9:33 AM
0 comments
Friday, May 8, 2009
Price of Oil Rises to 6-Month High
Also bolstering oil prices is speculation over what actions OPEC will take May 28 in Vienna. OPEC may agree to cut oil output at its May 28 meeting, but analysts doubt such a move will be made, given the recent strength in oil prices and the still-fragile global economy. A huge glut in inventory - especially in the U.S., where crude stockpiles are at a 19-year high - might argue for such a move, but the near 80% jump in prices from the year's low in January argues against it.
The rise in price parallels historical annual trends, where gasoline prices usually peak during the months of May and June.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: economy, oil price, oil supply/demand
posted by Amanda Voss at 1:28 PM
0 comments
Thursday, May 7, 2009
House Democrats Reach Tentative Deal on "Cash for Clunkers" Proposal
This legislation creates a subsidy for the purchase of a more fuel efficient vehicle, and is intended to increase vehicle sales, prop up the faltering American auto industry and make the nation’s car and truck fleet more efficient. The House linked the bill to stimulus package funding, and the bill has received President Obama's support.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has possession of the proposed bill, will continue meetings to determine finalized text and inclusions in the provision this week. Democrats plan to include "Cash for Clunkers" in a broader energy bill, unless that measure becomes entangled in policy disputes.
To read the full text of this article, click here.
Labels: automakers, efficiency, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 10:43 AM
0 comments
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
ELA to Release "Cash for Clunkers" Overview
The "Cash for Clunkers" piece will explore differences between pending legislation in Congress now, evaluate pros and cons of the policies, and look outward toward international examples of this program.
Stay tuned!
posted by Amanda Voss at 1:17 PM
0 comments
Democrats Seek Consensus on Energy Legislation
While policy provisions instituting a strategy for replacing gas-guzzling cars with more fuel-efficient models met with general support, much tougher negotiations lie ahead on a bill that would, for the first time, limit emissions linked to global warming.
The Obama administration has endorsed pending energy legislation broadly, saying it would advance key parts of the president's domestic agenda, namely slowing global warming and transitioning to a clean energy economy. The House Energy committee, which is still working on the final language for the possible combined energy bill, has postponed a vote due to cost concerns raised by the panel's moderate Democrats.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: automakers, energy, global warming, u.s. energy policy
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:42 AM
0 comments
Monday, May 4, 2009
Oil Executives Doubtful About Energy Independence
The survey, run by KPMG LLP’s Global Energy Institute, also revealed that a majority believed the U.S. will not be able to mass-produce viable alternative energy until 2015.
“The executives’ perceptions of energy independence mirror their views on the viability of alternatives in the near-term,” Bill Kemble, executive director of the institute, said in a statement.
While these statements may reflect industry bias, they also appear to reflect reality. Net imports of petroleum into the U.S. were about 57 percent of the total consumed last year. If the U.S. remains on projected oil consumption levels, that percentage will only fall to about 40 percent by 2030, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
To read the full article, click here.
Labels: oil companies, oil supply, renewables
posted by Amanda Voss at 8:33 AM
0 comments
Friday, May 1, 2009
Price of Oil Posts Gains to Five Week High
Additional promising numbers, including a brighter outlook for manufacturing and growth in China's economy, further bolstered the price of oil. The rise in oil is positive news for OPEC, which meets to review output numbers on May 28 in Vienna.
Keeping a lid on oil price, however, is the news that U.S. supplies rose to the highest level since 1990, while consumer fuel demand dropped.
To access the full article, click here.
Labels: oil companies, oil price, oil supply/demand
posted by Amanda Voss at 4:46 PM
0 comments
Drilling Rig Count Suffers Rapid Decline
Steve Andrews, an advisory board member, was kind enough to share the above slide with us this week. In layman's terms this means there is a serious lack of investment in the rigs we use to drill for oil and natural gas in this country. That means when (and I say when, not if - recessions don't last forever) demand increases again we face the usual 2-5 year start up time from when the call is made to drill until the first product goes to market. As Steve put it, regarding the decrease in rig count "While we had a longer decline and larger percentage crash between 1981 and 1985, nothing has approached this crash in terms of speed and depth combined." Scary!
Labels: energy, oil supply/demand, peak oil
posted by Jamie Lang at 2:55 PM
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