Energy and Economy posts, articles, and infographics

Why the Clean Energy Sector Has “Rolling Uncertainty”

January 31, 2012 by Joseph Romm
with 392 views

If the 2008 financial crisis was a swift punch to the face for the clean energy industry — and for the whole energy sector — the global uncertainty of 2011/2012 is more like a rolling series of blows to the body. In both cases, the sector continues to stand back on its feet. But it’s still going to be a hard fight to the top. [read more]

Why the shale gas glut won’t last

January 31, 2012 by Michael Giberson
with 401 views

Ken Silverstein has a good article in Forbes on the business prospects for shale gas developers (and I’m glad to see him there, having followed his work for a very long time). Since he asks in the title whether low shale gas prices are a mirage, I think it’s useful to go through the underlying economic analysis that’s embedded in his... [read more]

Worst. Transportation Bill. Ever.

January 31, 2012 by Deron Lovaas
with 519 views

Deron Lovaas breaks down why exactly the House Transportation Bill is bad for our environment, our transportation future and our pocketbooks. [read more]

UN panel urges phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies

January 31, 2012 by Jake Schmidt
with 356 views

Why the UN recommends phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and moving to low carbon energy production. Think anyone will remember this by the time Rio+22 happens? [read more]

Siemens Employee Highlighted During “State of the Union” Address

January 31, 2012 by Sheila Oliva
with 267 views

During his State of the Union Address to Congress on January 24, 2012, President Barack Obama recognized Siemens Energy as an example of how investing in manufacturing and innovative technologies can create jobs and build a strong America.An example of such job creation was highlighted via our own Jackie Bray, who was seated in a place... [read more]

Refinery Closures Lead to Rising Gas Prices and Job Losses

January 31, 2012 by Robert Rapier
with 117 views

Refinery Closures and the Keystone Pipeline There have been several announcements in recent months of refinery closures that will likely impact gasoline supplies (and prices) on the East Coast. Some of those closures have been on the East Coast. Others — such as the Hovensa refinery in the Virgin Islands and some European refineries —... [read more]

Industrial energy efficiency for sustainable wealth creation

January 27, 2012 by Charles Arthur
with 257 views

A recently published report by the UN Industrial Development Organization addresses the role of industrial energy efficiency in sustainable industrial development. [read more]

ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit Preview

January 26, 2012 by Nino Marchetti
with 150 views

In about a month, D.C.’s Gaylord National Conference Center will be teeming with energy researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives, and a couple of wild Bills.The third annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit promises to bring together the type of leaders that can develop energy solutions for the future, and boy did they... [read more]

Why Natural Gas is a Bridge to Nowhere

January 24, 2012 by Joseph Romm
with 390 views

President of American Gas Association, 1981: “In fact, gas energy — currently America’s largest domestically produced fuel — could prove to be the keystone to solving the nation’s energy crisis by serving as the ‘bridge fuel’ to the next century’s renewable energy technologies.” VP of AGA, 1988, “refers to natural gas as a bridge... [read more]

How the Keystone XL rejection is inspiring young environmentalists

January 23, 2012 by nrdc switchboard
with 191 views

It’s not often that we win. Especially for the current crop of college students, who grew up in the Bush years, environmental victories have been small, few and far between. Last week, though, we won. Let January 18th, 2012 go down in the record as the day when the people stood up to Big Oil and came out victorious. [read more]

Green Chemistry and Clean Energy

January 23, 2012 by David Levy
with 157 views

In December, the University of Massachusetts, Boston (where I work) hosted three leading proponents of green chemistry for a panel discussion of the potential and challenges of the field. John Warner, widely considered the father of green chemistry, is a former chair of the UMass-Boston chemistry department and is currently the president... [read more]

How overturning conventional energy wisdom could resurrect real progress in climate talks

January 23, 2012 by Jim Pierobon
with 305 views

Ever since the Copenhagen round of global climate talks failed in 2009, there have been no shortage of prescriptions and declarations about what needs to change. The subsequent failures in Cancun in 2010 and Durban last year underscore the need for a new way of thinking. There is no denying the world needs, and is going to be using... [read more]

Expanding State Clean Energy Funds for Economic Development

January 18, 2012 by Tom Plant
with 128 views

Brookings report on economic development opportunities through use of clean energy funds offers direction for states in a post recovery act world. [read more]

New Energy-Efficient Lighting Puts People to Work

January 15, 2012 by Rocky Kistner
with 468 views

Deep in the heart of America’s rust belt a new generation of companies is riding a wave of job-creating lighting technologies as new federal lighting efficiency standards are phased in starting next month. In Ohio, the birthplace of Thomas Edison and home to light bulb manufacturers GE and TCP... [read more]

Don't Believe the Fantasy Job Claims on Keystone XL: It's Not in Our Best Interest

January 13, 2012 by Nicole Lederer
with 447 views

Groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable say they speak for the country’s business interests. When it comes to the Keystone XL pipeline, they most definitely do not. Nicole Lederer explains why. [read more]