March 20, 2021 archive

Where can we put all those wind turbines?

As the Biden administration and environmentalists clamor for more renewable energy, there’s a big push for the expansion of wind power. Some question the amount of land needed for large wind farms such as opposition in Iowa on a recent proposed wind farm that would consume 1,200 acres of farmland. It’s one thing to put …

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$4 billion Colorado plan to turn state into EV drivers

  If the Colorado legislature approves it, drivers in the state will soon pay 2 more cents a gallon of gasoline to improve transportation and help transition to more electric vehicles. It’s part of the policy of Gov. Jared Polis who wants to improve air quality, expand public transportation and make it easier for people …

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Massive boulder puts Colorado hydroelectric plant out of operation

  A boulder the size of a pool table badly damaged the oldest operating hydropower plant in the U.S. in Ouray, Colorado this past week. The boulder sheared off a canyon wall and not only destroyed a metal walkway to the Ice Ice Park’s popular ice climbs but also ripped out the penstock that ferries …

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February winter storm over charges turns into Texas political storm

  The $16 billion in charges to the Texas electricity market during the February winter storm has created a political storm of its own in the Texas legislature. Like the storm that claimed more than 50 lives, it too promises to be an historic one as leaders debate—no, argue—over whether the charges should be reversed. …

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A pipeline first for FERC

  The federal energy board in charge of the nation’s pipelines has for the first time started consideration of how a natural gas line will affect greenhouse gas emissions. With a new Democratic chair, Richard Glick at the helm, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted 3-2 to approve a pipeline operator’s request to replace 87 miles of …

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Williams to be part of energy conference

  The 49th annual Scotia Howard Weil Energy Conference will be held this week and Williams Cos. will be taking part. Company CEO Alan Armstrong will participate in virtual meetings with investors as the firm seeks more investments. A fireside chat Q&A session will be part of the conference on Tuesday, March 23. While sessions …

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Energy news in brief

** Democrats and Republicans argue over whether President Joe Biden should revoke the permits for a $9.4 billion chemical manufacturing complex in Louisiana that would emit pollutants and carbon and disproportionately affect Black neighborhoods. ** India’s growing demand for oil and its plans to rely less on crude from its biggest supply region, the Middle East, is set …

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Mullin bill part of GOP energy package in House committee

  A bill by Oklahoma Rep. Markwayne Mullin to promote the permitting of cross-border pipelines and electricity transmission was part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans’ agenda unveiled last week for securing cleaner American energy. Mullin’s bill, H.R. 575, the Promoting Cross-Border Energy Infrastructure Act was included in the package. “We cannot stand …

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FERC responds to angry landowners along Midship pipeline

  Complaints of angry landowners over Cheniere Energy’s failure to complete land restoration following construction of its 200-mile Midship pipeline in Oklahoma led a federal agency to order a prompt completion and have it done within at least 60 days. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday took the action after angry farmers and other …

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Crude oil prices bounced back on Friday for slight recovery

  Investors wait to see if Monday’s trading will restore crude oil prices after a slight bounce back on Friday following a big plunge on Thursday. West Texas Intermediate crude for April delivery rose $1.42 to reach $61.24 a barrel in trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Global benchmark Brent crude for May delivery …

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