** The 2023 Annual Energy Outlook from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) finds that U.S. oil production may even increase between now and 2050 even as clean energy sources like wind and solar power increase dramatically as well. The analysts say that U.S. demand for oil and gas is likely to remain remarkably steady for decades.
** Newly released data shows soil in the Ohio town of East Palestine – scene of a recent catastrophic train crash and chemical spill – contains dioxin levels hundreds of times greater than the exposure threshold above which Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists in 2010 found poses cancer risks.
** ConocoPhillips wants to install chilling devices in the permafrost as part of its $8 billion Willow drilling project in North Alaska in order to keep the permafrost from melting and to keep the oil drilling rigs upright.
** The Kentucky legislature approved and sent to the governor a bill to create obstacles for utilities asking the Kentucky Public Service Commission for permission to replace coal-fired power generation with new sources, such as natural gas, renewable energy or nuclear.
** After already having their pool sizes reduced in Las Vegas, Nevada residents may be facing some new water rules: getting their taps turned off if they use too much water. A new bill introduced in the state Assembly last month would allow the Southern Nevada Water Authority to limit how much water its customers in the Las Vegas metropolitan area can use in the event of the federal government deems the Colorado River too low.
** Boston is pushing forward with plans to discourage the use of fossil fuel in new buildings. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on Thursday filed an ordinance with the city council that would require new buildings that rely on fossil fuels to install solar panels and to add wiring in anticipation of future conversion to electrification with the goal of most new buildings going all-electric.
** Oregon will temporarily suspend rebates for buying or leasing an electric vehicle for a year starting in May because too many people are applying and the program is running out of money, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. A growing number of Oregonians are buying or leasing electric vehicles, with over 60,600 registered in the state.
World
** Japanese car maker Toyota’s St Petersburg plant may be transferred to the Russian state entity NAMI, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Thursday, according to the state-run TASS news agency.
** Russia is not reaping the benefits of higher costs of some recent cargoes of crude oil bought by refiners in India priced above the price cap set by countries in the West and Australia, a U.S. official said on Thursday.
** While many countries across the Middle East are continuing to pursue oil and gas agendas, responding to the strong global demand for fossil fuels, several countries across the region are also investing heavily in renewable alternatives. The Middle East is seen as the perfect location to develop green energy operations, from green hydrogen to wind and solar power.
** Wind farms in the UK will be prevented from keeping excessive profits after an overhaul of subsidy rules designed to hold down bills. Ministers have closed a loophole that allowed turbine operators to take advantage of surging electricity prices by delaying the start of their green energy contracts with the Government.