PolicyA collection of blog articles about the most important topics in US and world green energy, economy, technology, environment, and Policy issues delivered by others in the community/Policy/Articles/Policy/2012-02-06T05:58:34ZJoomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content ManagementPainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-02-09T04:04:00Z2009-02-09T04:04:00Z/Policy/Policy/Climate-protestors-threaten-to-shut-down-Londons-carbon-market.html<span>www.environmental-finance.com</span><br />London, 5 February:<br /><br />After attracting thousands of climate protestors to the Kingsnorth power station and Heathrow airport, the Camp for Climate Action has turned its sights on leading carbon trading platform, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Climate_Exchange" target="_blank">European Climate Exchange</a> (ECX).<br /><br />The campaign group has called for action on 1 April, a day ahead of the G20 summit in London, and is promising to shut down ECX to "highlight the link between the financial crisis and the climate crisis". Its website urges protestors to meet outside ECX"s London office and "bring a pop-up tent, sleeping bag, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_turbine" target="_blank">wind turbine</a>, mobile cinema, action plans and ideas ... let"s imagine another world."<br /><br />Further details of the action - such as its duration and the practicalities of setting up camp in the middle of London"s financial district - are not being revealed at this time, a spokesman said. The protestors would peacefully target ECX - which runs an electronic market in carbon allowances and credits - but he added there was "always the possibility of affiliated groups doing autonomous activities around the city".<br /><br />The group argues that carbon trading makes no contribution to the reductions needed in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas" target="_blank">greenhouse gas</a> emissions. It states: "In 2009, the Camp for Climate Action has decided that it is time to camp against the over-arching problem: absolute faith in unfettered markets and endless economic growth." The camp spokesman told Environmental Finance: "We have already seen how the free market has failed so spectacularly. We are using that same set of ideologies to address climate change, and that"s not going to work." ECX chief executive Patrick Birley declined to comment.<p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://ffggippsland.blogspot.com/2009/02/climate-protestors-threaten-to-shut.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p><span>www.environmental-finance.com</span><br />London, 5 February:<br /><br />After attracting thousands of climate protestors to the Kingsnorth power station and Heathrow airport, the Camp for Climate Action has turned its sights on leading carbon trading platform, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Climate_Exchange" target="_blank">European Climate Exchange</a> (ECX).<br /><br />The campaign group has called for action on 1 April, a day ahead of the G20 summit in London, and is promising to shut down ECX to "highlight the link between the financial crisis and the climate crisis". Its website urges protestors to meet outside ECX"s London office and "bring a pop-up tent, sleeping bag, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_turbine" target="_blank">wind turbine</a>, mobile cinema, action plans and ideas ... let"s imagine another world."<br /><br />Further details of the action - such as its duration and the practicalities of setting up camp in the middle of London"s financial district - are not being revealed at this time, a spokesman said. The protestors would peacefully target ECX - which runs an electronic market in carbon allowances and credits - but he added there was "always the possibility of affiliated groups doing autonomous activities around the city".<br /><br />The group argues that carbon trading makes no contribution to the reductions needed in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas" target="_blank">greenhouse gas</a> emissions. It states: "In 2009, the Camp for Climate Action has decided that it is time to camp against the over-arching problem: absolute faith in unfettered markets and endless economic growth." The camp spokesman told Environmental Finance: "We have already seen how the free market has failed so spectacularly. We are using that same set of ideologies to address climate change, and that"s not going to work." ECX chief executive Patrick Birley declined to comment.<p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://ffggippsland.blogspot.com/2009/02/climate-protestors-threaten-to-shut.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-02-09T03:53:00Z2009-02-09T03:53:00Z/Policy/Policy/Congressmen-table-US-renewables-target.html<span>www.environmental-finance.com</span><br />New York, 5 February:<br /><br />Clean energy advocates have renewed hopes that a US federal renewable electricity standard (<a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a>) will be enacted with the introduction of a Congressional bill that matches the goals of President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama" target="_blank">Barack Obama</a>. The American Renewable Energy Act would require that 25% of electricity comes from clean energy sources by 2025. The bill was introduced today by Democrat Edward Markey, chair of the energy and environment subcommittee of the US House of Representatives, and Republican Todd Platts.<br /><br />Beginning in 2012, the bill would mandate electric utilities to generate 6% of their power from wind, solar, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal" target="_blank">geothermal</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass" target="_blank">biomass</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill" target="_blank">landfill</a> gas, qualified hydropower, and marine and tidal renewable energy sources. The%age would increase to 8.5% in 2014 and would rise between 2% to 3.5% every year or two years until reaching 25% by 2025. "It certainly looks like a constructive step forward," said Gregory Wetstone, senior director of government and public affairs for the <a href="http://www.awea.org/" target="_blank">American Wind Energy Association</a> (<a href="http://www.awea.org/" target="_blank">AWEA</a>).<br /><br />The Markey-Platts standard would boost renewable energy generation by 135% above current levels by 2025, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists" preliminary analysis of the legislation. "This electrifying standard would provide a smart, proven, cost-effective strategy to ramp up our clean energy use, create tens of thousands of jobs and lower consumer utility bills," Alan Nogee, clean energy programme director, said in a statement.<br /><br />The momentum to implement <a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a> requirements has occurred at the state level, where 28 states have standards while five states have renewable energy goals. Efforts to implement a federal <a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a> have stalled despite having passed the US Senate three times since 2002 and the House in 2007, amid objections from members in certain regions, particularly the southeast, that their states did not have the clean energy resources to comply.<br /><br />But Congressional leaders such as Markey, the newly elected chairman of the critical subcommittee, have promised quick action on environmental and energy issues. Real action toward passage of the bill is likely as it matches President Obama"s "ambitious" goals, Wetstone said. "President Obama campaigned for this standard and now Congress should pass it," Nogee said.<br /><br />In conjunction with the <a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a> bill, Markey introduced the Save American Energy Act, which would institute an energy efficiency resource standard to reduce electricity demand by 15% by 2020, also consistent with Obama"s goals. The bill would reduce peak electricity demand by 90,000MW by 2020, eliminating the need to build 300 medium-size power plants. If passed, the two bills would create more than 500,000 jobs and save more than $180 billion, according to the House members.<p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://ffggippsland.blogspot.com/2009/02/congressmen-table-us-renewables-target.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p><span>www.environmental-finance.com</span><br />New York, 5 February:<br /><br />Clean energy advocates have renewed hopes that a US federal renewable electricity standard (<a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a>) will be enacted with the introduction of a Congressional bill that matches the goals of President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama" target="_blank">Barack Obama</a>. The American Renewable Energy Act would require that 25% of electricity comes from clean energy sources by 2025. The bill was introduced today by Democrat Edward Markey, chair of the energy and environment subcommittee of the US House of Representatives, and Republican Todd Platts.<br /><br />Beginning in 2012, the bill would mandate electric utilities to generate 6% of their power from wind, solar, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geothermal" target="_blank">geothermal</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass" target="_blank">biomass</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landfill" target="_blank">landfill</a> gas, qualified hydropower, and marine and tidal renewable energy sources. The%age would increase to 8.5% in 2014 and would rise between 2% to 3.5% every year or two years until reaching 25% by 2025. "It certainly looks like a constructive step forward," said Gregory Wetstone, senior director of government and public affairs for the <a href="http://www.awea.org/" target="_blank">American Wind Energy Association</a> (<a href="http://www.awea.org/" target="_blank">AWEA</a>).<br /><br />The Markey-Platts standard would boost renewable energy generation by 135% above current levels by 2025, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists" preliminary analysis of the legislation. "This electrifying standard would provide a smart, proven, cost-effective strategy to ramp up our clean energy use, create tens of thousands of jobs and lower consumer utility bills," Alan Nogee, clean energy programme director, said in a statement.<br /><br />The momentum to implement <a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a> requirements has occurred at the state level, where 28 states have standards while five states have renewable energy goals. Efforts to implement a federal <a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a> have stalled despite having passed the US Senate three times since 2002 and the House in 2007, amid objections from members in certain regions, particularly the southeast, that their states did not have the clean energy resources to comply.<br /><br />But Congressional leaders such as Markey, the newly elected chairman of the critical subcommittee, have promised quick action on environmental and energy issues. Real action toward passage of the bill is likely as it matches President Obama"s "ambitious" goals, Wetstone said. "President Obama campaigned for this standard and now Congress should pass it," Nogee said.<br /><br />In conjunction with the <a href="http://www.res-ltd.com/" target="_blank">RES Southern Cross</a> bill, Markey introduced the Save American Energy Act, which would institute an energy efficiency resource standard to reduce electricity demand by 15% by 2020, also consistent with Obama"s goals. The bill would reduce peak electricity demand by 90,000MW by 2020, eliminating the need to build 300 medium-size power plants. If passed, the two bills would create more than 500,000 jobs and save more than $180 billion, according to the House members.<p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://ffggippsland.blogspot.com/2009/02/congressmen-table-us-renewables-target.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-02-08T15:08:28Z2009-02-08T15:08:28Z/Policy/Policy/The-information-society-and-its-limits.htmlThe breathtaking expansion of the Internet and the sources of information now available on it have served to conjure a cybernetic vision of unlimited growth--growth that can never be slowed for long by lack of physical resources because it is mostly virtual. The Internet has undoubtedly allowed people to find information readily that would previously have taken hours of meticulous searching in a library or might not be found at all.<br /><br />The vast quantities of information now available require some kind of filtering, and so various filtering services including news aggregators, weblogs, and specialty sites of all kinds have arisen. All of that is to the good. True, much of the information on the Internet is of questionable veracity. And, much of what passes for information not only on the Internet, but also in the broader media is nothing more than polemic dressed up as analysis. And, of course, the sheer volume of it all would be overwhelming were it not mitigated by the available filters or by simply turning away from the computer, the television and the radio.<br /><br />But so many people cannot or will not turn away for any extended period of time. Instead, they believe they need to be "updated" on a regular basis. I put "updated" in quotes since to me the news seems more or less the same every day with a few widely spaced and prominent exceptions. It is these exceptions that I pay attention to. But most stories fit into rather predictable categories which I label as follows:<ol><li>Prices are going up (or, more rarely, down).</li><li>There"s corruption in government. (Who knew?)</li><li>The corporations are out to get us.</li><li>It"s dangerous out there. (Crime stories)</li><li>Isn"t that weird? (Human interest stories)</li><li>GI Joe. (War coverage)</li><li>How to lose 10 pounds without dieting. (Service stories)</li></ol> <p>Perhaps you can think of other categories. And, while stories in some of these categories are indeed important, those stories rarely provide the context or the intelligent analysis required to make them useful. On the other hand, crime stories are usually just sensationalism designed to attract subscribers and viewers.<br /><br />Putting into the proper context what information we actually do need for something other than aiding and abetting our consumption--for, say, understanding public policy--requires conceptual training that can only come from reading well-written books and articles and engaging with other rigorous minds who challenge our own point of view. That is a much slower training process, and it will never occur at Internet speeds.<br /><br />Environmental education giant <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/envs/faculty_pages/orr.htm">David Orr</a> likes to say that what we lack is "slow" knowledge. It is easy to learn how to take down a whole forest with a chainsaw. That"s fast knowledge. But as I wrote in a <a href="http://resourceinsights.blogspot.com/search?q=slow+knowledge">previous post</a>:</p><blockquote>Teaching people the importance of trees in creating and protecting the soil, encouraging biodiversity, preventing runoff, storing carbon and influencing climate is a task that requires time, concentration and reflection. It assumes a body of knowledge about the natural world that most people simply don"t have and therefore must acquire. And, it assumes an eye trained to look for subtleties in the natural landscape. Moreover, such learning does not yield the immediate and visible economic benefits of the chainsaw.</blockquote><p>But even if we take the time to acquire the slow knowledge we need, we cannot solve the knowledge problem with more information. The world is too complex to comprehend by merely apprehending its parts. And, no human being can see all of the universe or even his or her part of it well enough to give anything but a very fragmentary account. We will always have huge areas of ignorance, particularly about the long-term consequences of the actions we take to reshape the ecosphere to our purposes.<br /><br />And, even where we believe we have a lot of information--for example, the confident predictions about world oil and natural gas reserves or about the amount of uranium that can be extracted from the Earth"s crust--we ought to look not to what we know for confirmation, but to what we don"t know for guidance regarding the risks we face. Orr suggests that those lacunae in our knowledge should entreat us to employ wide margins of safety both in our daily actions and even more so in our collective policies.<br /><br />It is possible, for example, that the optimistic estimates of the world"s energy supplies are correct. The consequences of that would be that business as usual could proceed for a few more decades during which we could take a very leisurely attitude toward making the transition to a new energy economy. (I am, of course, setting aside the very serious risks related to climate change in this illustration.) The consequences of being wrong, however, could include catastrophic collapse. Hence, Orr"s suggestion that we employ wide margins of safety when acting on what we think we know.<br /><br />The hubris of the information society is that it imagines that data matter more than understanding and that we are moving closer and closer every day to completing the book of knowledge. The truth is we are creating vast new areas of ignorance. Two examples, one domestic and one industrial, illustrate the problem. Our highly productive modern farming and food production system has allowed the vast majority of people to forego learning anything about plants in their immediate area which are edible. And, since public policy in the United States (but no longer in Europe) puts the onus on the public to prove that a new chemical is harmful before it is banned (rather than putting the onus on industry to prove it is safe), industry releases thousands of new chemicals each year into the environment ignorant of their possible negative effects on humans and on ecosystems.<br /><br />The most important first step in countering this trend is to recognize it and to act with the heightened sense of attentiveness, care and prudence which that recognition demands.</p><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://resourceinsights.blogspot.com/2009/02/information-society-and-its-limits.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>The breathtaking expansion of the Internet and the sources of information now available on it have served to conjure a cybernetic vision of unlimited growth--growth that can never be slowed for long by lack of physical resources because it is mostly virtual. The Internet has undoubtedly allowed people to find information readily that would previously have taken hours of meticulous searching in a library or might not be found at all.<br /><br />The vast quantities of information now available require some kind of filtering, and so various filtering services including news aggregators, weblogs, and specialty sites of all kinds have arisen. All of that is to the good. True, much of the information on the Internet is of questionable veracity. And, much of what passes for information not only on the Internet, but also in the broader media is nothing more than polemic dressed up as analysis. And, of course, the sheer volume of it all would be overwhelming were it not mitigated by the available filters or by simply turning away from the computer, the television and the radio.<br /><br />But so many people cannot or will not turn away for any extended period of time. Instead, they believe they need to be "updated" on a regular basis. I put "updated" in quotes since to me the news seems more or less the same every day with a few widely spaced and prominent exceptions. It is these exceptions that I pay attention to. But most stories fit into rather predictable categories which I label as follows:<ol><li>Prices are going up (or, more rarely, down).</li><li>There"s corruption in government. (Who knew?)</li><li>The corporations are out to get us.</li><li>It"s dangerous out there. (Crime stories)</li><li>Isn"t that weird? (Human interest stories)</li><li>GI Joe. (War coverage)</li><li>How to lose 10 pounds without dieting. (Service stories)</li></ol> <p>Perhaps you can think of other categories. And, while stories in some of these categories are indeed important, those stories rarely provide the context or the intelligent analysis required to make them useful. On the other hand, crime stories are usually just sensationalism designed to attract subscribers and viewers.<br /><br />Putting into the proper context what information we actually do need for something other than aiding and abetting our consumption--for, say, understanding public policy--requires conceptual training that can only come from reading well-written books and articles and engaging with other rigorous minds who challenge our own point of view. That is a much slower training process, and it will never occur at Internet speeds.<br /><br />Environmental education giant <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/envs/faculty_pages/orr.htm">David Orr</a> likes to say that what we lack is "slow" knowledge. It is easy to learn how to take down a whole forest with a chainsaw. That"s fast knowledge. But as I wrote in a <a href="http://resourceinsights.blogspot.com/search?q=slow+knowledge">previous post</a>:</p><blockquote>Teaching people the importance of trees in creating and protecting the soil, encouraging biodiversity, preventing runoff, storing carbon and influencing climate is a task that requires time, concentration and reflection. It assumes a body of knowledge about the natural world that most people simply don"t have and therefore must acquire. And, it assumes an eye trained to look for subtleties in the natural landscape. Moreover, such learning does not yield the immediate and visible economic benefits of the chainsaw.</blockquote><p>But even if we take the time to acquire the slow knowledge we need, we cannot solve the knowledge problem with more information. The world is too complex to comprehend by merely apprehending its parts. And, no human being can see all of the universe or even his or her part of it well enough to give anything but a very fragmentary account. We will always have huge areas of ignorance, particularly about the long-term consequences of the actions we take to reshape the ecosphere to our purposes.<br /><br />And, even where we believe we have a lot of information--for example, the confident predictions about world oil and natural gas reserves or about the amount of uranium that can be extracted from the Earth"s crust--we ought to look not to what we know for confirmation, but to what we don"t know for guidance regarding the risks we face. Orr suggests that those lacunae in our knowledge should entreat us to employ wide margins of safety both in our daily actions and even more so in our collective policies.<br /><br />It is possible, for example, that the optimistic estimates of the world"s energy supplies are correct. The consequences of that would be that business as usual could proceed for a few more decades during which we could take a very leisurely attitude toward making the transition to a new energy economy. (I am, of course, setting aside the very serious risks related to climate change in this illustration.) The consequences of being wrong, however, could include catastrophic collapse. Hence, Orr"s suggestion that we employ wide margins of safety when acting on what we think we know.<br /><br />The hubris of the information society is that it imagines that data matter more than understanding and that we are moving closer and closer every day to completing the book of knowledge. The truth is we are creating vast new areas of ignorance. Two examples, one domestic and one industrial, illustrate the problem. Our highly productive modern farming and food production system has allowed the vast majority of people to forego learning anything about plants in their immediate area which are edible. And, since public policy in the United States (but no longer in Europe) puts the onus on the public to prove that a new chemical is harmful before it is banned (rather than putting the onus on industry to prove it is safe), industry releases thousands of new chemicals each year into the environment ignorant of their possible negative effects on humans and on ecosystems.<br /><br />The most important first step in countering this trend is to recognize it and to act with the heightened sense of attentiveness, care and prudence which that recognition demands.</p><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://resourceinsights.blogspot.com/2009/02/information-society-and-its-limits.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-02-08T13:32:00Z2009-02-08T13:32:00Z/Policy/Policy/Senator-Mark-R.-Warner-to-Attend-2009-Energy-Technology-Summit-at-UVA-Wise.html<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.gwu.edu/~newsctr/03/0421/warner.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://www.gwu.edu/~newsctr/03/0421/warner.jpg" border="0" /></a>Virginia"s junior <a href="http://warner.senate.gov/"><strong>United States Senator Mark R. Warner</strong> </a>has [<em>tentatively</em>] accepted the invitation to address the <strong><em><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2009/01/energy-technology-summit-set-april-27.html">2009 Energy Technology Summit</a></em></strong> to be held at The University of Virginia"s College at Wise on Monday, April 27, 2009 beginning at 8:30 AM.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Warner was recently named to the <strong><a href="http://banking.senate.gov/public/">Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs</a>;</strong> <strong><a href="http://budget.senate.gov/">Budget</a>;</strong> <a href="http://commerce.senate.gov/public/"><strong>Commerce, Science and Transportation;</strong> </a>and, <a href="http://rules.senate.gov/public/"><strong>Rules and Administration</strong> </a>committees of the United States Senate.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">A former Virginia governor, Warner is being joined by veteran Ninth Congressional District U.S. Representative Rick Boucher at the energy summit. Boucher keynoted the 2008 Energy Technology Summit talking about possible federal <strong><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2008/04/rick-bouchers-cap-and-trade-remarks-at.html">"Cap and Trade" greenhouse gases markets and climate change</a></strong>.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Warner and Boucher are both expected to talk about new federal energy policy that will impact the southwestern Virginia economy and job prospects in the years to come. </div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2009/02/senator-mark-r-warner-to-attend-2009.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p><div align="justify"><a href="http://www.gwu.edu/~newsctr/03/0421/warner.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://www.gwu.edu/~newsctr/03/0421/warner.jpg" border="0" /></a>Virginia"s junior <a href="http://warner.senate.gov/"><strong>United States Senator Mark R. Warner</strong> </a>has [<em>tentatively</em>] accepted the invitation to address the <strong><em><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2009/01/energy-technology-summit-set-april-27.html">2009 Energy Technology Summit</a></em></strong> to be held at The University of Virginia"s College at Wise on Monday, April 27, 2009 beginning at 8:30 AM.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">Warner was recently named to the <strong><a href="http://banking.senate.gov/public/">Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs</a>;</strong> <strong><a href="http://budget.senate.gov/">Budget</a>;</strong> <a href="http://commerce.senate.gov/public/"><strong>Commerce, Science and Transportation;</strong> </a>and, <a href="http://rules.senate.gov/public/"><strong>Rules and Administration</strong> </a>committees of the United States Senate.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">A former Virginia governor, Warner is being joined by veteran Ninth Congressional District U.S. Representative Rick Boucher at the energy summit. Boucher keynoted the 2008 Energy Technology Summit talking about possible federal <strong><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2008/04/rick-bouchers-cap-and-trade-remarks-at.html">"Cap and Trade" greenhouse gases markets and climate change</a></strong>.</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Warner and Boucher are both expected to talk about new federal energy policy that will impact the southwestern Virginia economy and job prospects in the years to come. </div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2009/02/senator-mark-r-warner-to-attend-2009.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-02-08T13:26:00Z2009-02-08T13:26:00Z/Policy/Policy/White-House-Seeks-New-Energy-Policy.html<br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">President Barack Obama"s national energy policy is posted on the <strong><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/energy_and_environment/">White House web page</a></strong>. Significant elements of the renewable energy policy, coal carbon sequestration research, and monies for a "Smart Electric Grid" are expected to be included in a final Congressional Conference Committee version. The White House energy policy will be discussed at the <strong><em>2009 Energy technology Summit</em></strong> to be held at The University of Virginia"s College at Wise on Monday, April 27, 2009 beginning at 8:30 AM. </div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2009/02/white-house-seeks-new-energy-policy.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p><br /><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">President Barack Obama"s national energy policy is posted on the <strong><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/energy_and_environment/">White House web page</a></strong>. Significant elements of the renewable energy policy, coal carbon sequestration research, and monies for a "Smart Electric Grid" are expected to be included in a final Congressional Conference Committee version. The White House energy policy will be discussed at the <strong><em>2009 Energy technology Summit</em></strong> to be held at The University of Virginia"s College at Wise on Monday, April 27, 2009 beginning at 8:30 AM. </div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://energytechnologysummit.blogspot.com/2009/02/white-house-seeks-new-energy-policy.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-02-07T23:50:00Z2009-02-07T23:50:00Z/Policy/Policy/Renewable-Sector-in-the-US-to-Grow-Post-Presidential-Elections.htmlResearch and Markets: Renewable Sector in the US to Grow Post Presidential Elections as Energy Security and Environmental Problems Have Become a Major Cause of Concern for the US Economy<br /><br />Research and Markets (<a href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i">http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i</a>) has announced the addition of GlobalData"s new report "Renewable Sector in the US Destined to Grow Post Presidential Elections" to their offering.<br />Energy security and environmental problems have become a major cause of concern for the US economy. This is principally because the US economy is combating two major challenges: dependence on foreign oil and global climate change. In this backdrop, encouragement for renewables has become mandatory in the national interest.<br />Scope<br />Viewpoints cover the latest events or important trends in the alternative energy industry and provide our in-depth analysis of issues and challenges. Viewpoints offer expert opinions and Our views of various developments that have been taking place in the alternative energy industry across the world.<br />Reasons to Buy<br />Develop business strategies with the help of specific insights from GlobalData on the key events happening in the alternative energy industry. Gain a strong understanding of the energy market and analyze the major trends in the global alternative energy industry today Identify opportunities and challenges with the help of our analysis of the latest news and deals in the alternative energy industry Increase future revenue and profitability with the help of information on latest operational, financial, and regulatory events Key Topics Covered: 1 Table of Contents 2 Viewpoint 3 Renewable Sector in the US Destined to Grow Post Presidential Elections 4 Recent Developments 4.1 Sep 04, 2008: USDA Awards $100,000 Grant To Study Geothermal Resources 4.2 Sep 03, 2008: GPEC Unveils Greening Greater Phoenix Initiative To Promote Region As Solar And Sustainability Leader 4.3 Sep 03, 2008: US Wind Power Doubles To More Than 20,000 MW in Two Years, Says AWEA 4.4 Aug 27, 2008: USDA Awards $35 Million For Renewable Energy And Energy Efficiency Projects 4.5 Aug 25, 2008: CCEF Announces Joining Of Avon, Connecticut In CCECP 4.6 Aug 21, 2008: USDA And China Sign Biofuels Research Agreement 4.7 Aug 19, 2008: New York Mayor Announces New York Citys Steps Toward Developing Off-Shore Windfarms And Other Sources Of Renewable Energy 4.8 Aug 18, 2008: US Leads World In Wind Power Production 4.9 Aug 18, 2008: Connecticut Announces Connecticut Solar Lease Program 4.10 Aug 14, 2008: DOE Announces Up To $15.3 Million For Hydrogen Storage Research And Development Projects 4.11 Aug 12, 2008: DOE To Invest Up To $24 Million For Breakthrough Solar Energy Products 4.12 Aug 11, 2008: DEP Approves Plan To Convert Conestoga Landfill Gas To Energy 4.13 Aug 07, 2008: US Accounts For 30% Of Total Geothermal Energy, GEA Reports 4.14 Aug 07, 2008: Oregon Governor Unveils First Solar Demonstration Project 4.15 Aug 05, 2008: BLM Geothermal Sale Brings In $28 Million 4.16 Aug 05, 2008: BLM Offers Lands For Geothermal Leasing 4.17 Aug 05, 2008: Expiration Of Federal Incentive Threatens Wind Power’s New-Found Growth 4.18 Aug 05, 2008: DOE To Pursue Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings 4.19 Aug 04, 2008: MIT And Caltech Scientists Wins $20 Million Grant To Research On Solar-Fuel Power Plants 4.20 Aug 04, 2008: DOE Announces Contracts To Achieve $140 Million In Energy Efficiency Improvements To DOE Facilities 4.21 Jul 31, 2008: DOE To Provide $36 Million To Advance CO2 Capture 5 Appendix<br />For more information visit <a href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i">http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i</a><br />Contacts Research and MarketsLaura WoodSenior Manager<a href="mailto:press@researchandmarkets.com">press@researchandmarkets.com</a>Fax from USA: 646-607-1907Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716 News & Stories Published at Clean Energy Stocks Blog<br />Research Renewable Energy and Cleantech stocks as an Investor Ideas member and gain access to the stock directories.<br /><br />http://www.investorideas.com/Banners/Thin-Member-Ad.gif<div>Affiliated Greentech Portals at Investorideas.com
Renewableenergystocks.com and Environmentstocks.com</div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://cleanenergynews.blogspot.com/2009/02/renewable-sector-in-us-to-grow-post.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>Research and Markets: Renewable Sector in the US to Grow Post Presidential Elections as Energy Security and Environmental Problems Have Become a Major Cause of Concern for the US Economy<br /><br />Research and Markets (<a href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i">http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i</a>) has announced the addition of GlobalData"s new report "Renewable Sector in the US Destined to Grow Post Presidential Elections" to their offering.<br />Energy security and environmental problems have become a major cause of concern for the US economy. This is principally because the US economy is combating two major challenges: dependence on foreign oil and global climate change. In this backdrop, encouragement for renewables has become mandatory in the national interest.<br />Scope<br />Viewpoints cover the latest events or important trends in the alternative energy industry and provide our in-depth analysis of issues and challenges. Viewpoints offer expert opinions and Our views of various developments that have been taking place in the alternative energy industry across the world.<br />Reasons to Buy<br />Develop business strategies with the help of specific insights from GlobalData on the key events happening in the alternative energy industry. Gain a strong understanding of the energy market and analyze the major trends in the global alternative energy industry today Identify opportunities and challenges with the help of our analysis of the latest news and deals in the alternative energy industry Increase future revenue and profitability with the help of information on latest operational, financial, and regulatory events Key Topics Covered: 1 Table of Contents 2 Viewpoint 3 Renewable Sector in the US Destined to Grow Post Presidential Elections 4 Recent Developments 4.1 Sep 04, 2008: USDA Awards $100,000 Grant To Study Geothermal Resources 4.2 Sep 03, 2008: GPEC Unveils Greening Greater Phoenix Initiative To Promote Region As Solar And Sustainability Leader 4.3 Sep 03, 2008: US Wind Power Doubles To More Than 20,000 MW in Two Years, Says AWEA 4.4 Aug 27, 2008: USDA Awards $35 Million For Renewable Energy And Energy Efficiency Projects 4.5 Aug 25, 2008: CCEF Announces Joining Of Avon, Connecticut In CCECP 4.6 Aug 21, 2008: USDA And China Sign Biofuels Research Agreement 4.7 Aug 19, 2008: New York Mayor Announces New York Citys Steps Toward Developing Off-Shore Windfarms And Other Sources Of Renewable Energy 4.8 Aug 18, 2008: US Leads World In Wind Power Production 4.9 Aug 18, 2008: Connecticut Announces Connecticut Solar Lease Program 4.10 Aug 14, 2008: DOE Announces Up To $15.3 Million For Hydrogen Storage Research And Development Projects 4.11 Aug 12, 2008: DOE To Invest Up To $24 Million For Breakthrough Solar Energy Products 4.12 Aug 11, 2008: DEP Approves Plan To Convert Conestoga Landfill Gas To Energy 4.13 Aug 07, 2008: US Accounts For 30% Of Total Geothermal Energy, GEA Reports 4.14 Aug 07, 2008: Oregon Governor Unveils First Solar Demonstration Project 4.15 Aug 05, 2008: BLM Geothermal Sale Brings In $28 Million 4.16 Aug 05, 2008: BLM Offers Lands For Geothermal Leasing 4.17 Aug 05, 2008: Expiration Of Federal Incentive Threatens Wind Power’s New-Found Growth 4.18 Aug 05, 2008: DOE To Pursue Zero-Net Energy Commercial Buildings 4.19 Aug 04, 2008: MIT And Caltech Scientists Wins $20 Million Grant To Research On Solar-Fuel Power Plants 4.20 Aug 04, 2008: DOE Announces Contracts To Achieve $140 Million In Energy Efficiency Improvements To DOE Facilities 4.21 Jul 31, 2008: DOE To Provide $36 Million To Advance CO2 Capture 5 Appendix<br />For more information visit <a href="http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i">http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/78745b/renewable_sector_i</a><br />Contacts Research and MarketsLaura WoodSenior Manager<a href="mailto:press@researchandmarkets.com">press@researchandmarkets.com</a>Fax from USA: 646-607-1907Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716 News & Stories Published at Clean Energy Stocks Blog<br />Research Renewable Energy and Cleantech stocks as an Investor Ideas member and gain access to the stock directories.<br /><br />http://www.investorideas.com/Banners/Thin-Member-Ad.gif<div>Affiliated Greentech Portals at Investorideas.com
Renewableenergystocks.com and Environmentstocks.com</div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://cleanenergynews.blogspot.com/2009/02/renewable-sector-in-us-to-grow-post.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-02-01T06:07:44Z2009-02-01T06:07:44Z/Policy/Policy/A-Smart-Grid-for-Intelligent-Energy-Use.html<p>A Smart Grid for Intelligent Energy Use: The Smart Grid involves the use of communications and computing technology to transmit and distribute energy more efficiently. This video describes the smart grid and how it will reduce our carbon footprint through energy efficiency and the integration of renewable sources of energy.
</p><p>
Featuring interviews recorded at the IEEE Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles: Accelerating Innovation Conference (2007) and the IEEE Energy 2030 Conference (2008).
</p><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/node/4069" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p><p>A Smart Grid for Intelligent Energy Use: The Smart Grid involves the use of communications and computing technology to transmit and distribute energy more efficiently. This video describes the smart grid and how it will reduce our carbon footprint through energy efficiency and the integration of renewable sources of energy.
</p><p>
Featuring interviews recorded at the IEEE Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles: Accelerating Innovation Conference (2007) and the IEEE Energy 2030 Conference (2008).
</p><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/node/4069" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-01-15T00:05:00Z2009-01-15T00:05:00Z/Policy/Policy/Texas-Renewable-Energy-Assessment-is-out.htmlThe new State Energy Conservation Office report regarding the Renewable Energy Potential of Texas is now available online at:<br /><br /><span ></span><a href="http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/publications/renewenergy/">http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/publications/renewenergy/</a><br /><br />This report is an update from the original 1995 report. As another major reference<br /><br />Myself and <a href="http://www.webberenergygroup.com/">Dr. Michael Webbe</a>r are co-authors on the chapter regarding energy from water resources in Texas. This water chapter is not that exciting for Texas, but we do describe some of the latest concepts in the chapter. You can also see how much (really how little) electric generation comes from hydropower while you recall the large impact that the Colorado River hydropower facilities on the quality of life for those in the Hill Country. Thank LBJ for lobbying ... or whatever he did to "get things done" ... for those back in his early days.<br /><br />For further general reference, also see the <a href="http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/energy/">State Comptroller"s Texas Energy Report</a> on overall energy resources and usage in Texas.<p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://rationalenergy.blogspot.com/2009/01/texas-renewable-energy-assessment-is.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>The new State Energy Conservation Office report regarding the Renewable Energy Potential of Texas is now available online at:<br /><br /><span ></span><a href="http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/publications/renewenergy/">http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/publications/renewenergy/</a><br /><br />This report is an update from the original 1995 report. As another major reference<br /><br />Myself and <a href="http://www.webberenergygroup.com/">Dr. Michael Webbe</a>r are co-authors on the chapter regarding energy from water resources in Texas. This water chapter is not that exciting for Texas, but we do describe some of the latest concepts in the chapter. You can also see how much (really how little) electric generation comes from hydropower while you recall the large impact that the Colorado River hydropower facilities on the quality of life for those in the Hill Country. Thank LBJ for lobbying ... or whatever he did to "get things done" ... for those back in his early days.<br /><br />For further general reference, also see the <a href="http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/energy/">State Comptroller"s Texas Energy Report</a> on overall energy resources and usage in Texas.<p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://rationalenergy.blogspot.com/2009/01/texas-renewable-energy-assessment-is.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-01-14T12:28:00Z2009-01-14T12:28:00Z/Policy/Policy/Russian-Gas-Supply-To-Europe-Still-Blocked.htmlThe SMH reports that Russian gas exports via the Ukraine have been blocked yet again - <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/europe-gas-halted-as-russiaukraine-deal-falters/2009/01/14/1231608744155.html">Europe gas halted as Russia-Ukraine deal falters</a>.<br /><blockquote>Russia"s natural gas supplies bound for a freezing Europe were halted again on Tuesday only a few hours after a truce had been announced in its "gas war" with Ukraine. The Gazprom energy giant accused Ukraine of blocking gas bound for Europe, while Ukraine blamed "unacceptable" technical conditions imposed by Russia.<br /><br />The breakdown again infuriated the European Union as hundreds of thousands of people shivered in the depth of winter and factories and schools remained closed in many countries.<br /><br />European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso telephoned Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, to express the "EU"s disappointment" at the new hurdles.<br /><br />"Ukraine has blocked all our actions in respect of renewal of the transit of natural gas through Ukraine, which is unbelievable," said Gazprom"s deputy chief executive Alexander Medvedev. "In these circumstances we again don"t have the physical possibility to transit gas to European customers and the whole responsibility for this lies on the Ukrainian side," he added.</blockquote><br />The ABC reports that Gazprom is accusing the Ukrainians of being American puppets - <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465282.htm?section=justin">Gazprom accuses Ukraine of being "US puppet"</a>.<br /><blockquote>Russian state-controlled gas behemoth, Gazprom, has accused the United States of orchestrating the Ukraine"s actions in the gas dispute that has left Europe with gas shortages. Russia started pumping transit gas destined for European consumers into the Ukraine earlier today for the first time since transit supplies were halted on January 8.<br /><br />"We believed yesterday that the door for Russian gas was open but again it"s been blocked by the Ukrainians," Gazprom deputy chief executive Alexander Medvedev said on a conference call with reporters. "It looks like... they are dancing to the music which is being orchestrated not in Kiev but outside the country."<br /><br />Mr Medvedev said he was referring to an agreement signed between the Ukraine and the United States. He did not name the agreement. </blockquote><br />The Times reports that British gas reserves have fallen to less than a week’s supply of UK consumption - <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article5489455.ece">Britain close to low gas alert</a>.<br /><blockquote>BRITAIN’S gas network operator is on the verge of issuing an emergency alert that could lead to cuts for industrial users and potentially affect Ireland, which takes 90% of its supply from Britain.<br /><br />The National Grid in Britain said it could issue the “gas balancing alert” in the next two to three days because reserves had fallen to less than a week’s supply of UK needs.<br /><br />Suppliers were forced to dip into reserves last week after energy companies began siphoning gas out of Britain to supply other parts of Europe.<br /><br />Bord Gais said on Wednesday that consumption had reached a two-year high due to cold weather but it would take months before the row between Russia and Ukraine would cause a shortage in Ireland.<br /><br />“The conflict would have to run into months before it would be a problem for Britain and Ireland,” said John Mullins, the Bord Gais chief executive. </blockquote><br />Jerome a Paris ha an update of his regular series of posts on the topic at The Oil Drum - <a href="http://europe.theoildrum.com/node/4965">Gas crisis: Is Gazprom really expecting Europe to take its side against Ukraine?</a><br /><blockquote>It looks to me that Gazprom seems to be thinking that it had successfully managed to put the blame for the conflict on the Ukrainians, and was trying to push its advantage and finally separate the issue of payment for gas delivered to Ukraine from that of the transit of gas (thanks to the European monitors enlisted to put the blame on Ukraine for blocking further gas deliveries).<br /><br />But it looks like we"re back to square one: the Ukrainians will not accept to pay for the portion of the gas delivered by Gazprom, and will still hold transit hostage to impose that. It will be interesting to see Europe"s reaction, but I don"t see them taking sides in favor of Russia in this conflict.<br /><br />I presume that Gazprom sees little downside to this, expecting that this will improve the prospects of its direct pipeline projects like Nordstream and Southstream, but this might be a bad miscalculation.<br /><br />With the nuclear lobby strengthened in recent years, and wind industry actually able to deliver, it"s quite possible that plans to move away from gas-fired power generation could finally take shape and make Europe, for almost the first time, focus on the demand side of the equation.<br /><br />Gazprom"s main asset has been its reliability. Its extended shenanigans in Ukraine (where their case, once again, is rather narrow and weak, altogether) are endangering this a lot more than they improve prospects for additional revenue from Ukraine.</blockquote><br />Energy Bulletin has an article on the impact of the gas situation on prospects for the Nabucco pipeline (ignoring one key option that I"ve been meaning to write a post on for a while) - <a href="http://energybulletin.net/node/47703">Russia-Ukraine gas row - cacophonic overture to Nabucco summit</a>.<br /><blockquote>he hardship imposed on Central and Southeastern Europe by the delivery hiatus of Russian gas via Ukraine has unleashed a free flow of speculations about the future of the Nabucco pipeline project. Nabucco could bring Europe a modicum of badly needed independence from Russia’s state-dominated Gazprom, the world’s largest gas company. It could also provide some protection against being held hostage by the endless wrangling between Moscow and Kiev over prices, pilfering, and unpaid bills.<br /><br />To seal the deal and make final commitments, a summit is scheduled in Budapest on January 26-27, with the participation of consortium members (Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Turkey) and potential suppliers (Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan), the European Union (as represented by the Czech Republic, which is currently filling the role of the Union’s rotating presidency, and the EU energy commissioner); the Council of Europe and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Invitations have also been extended to the United States, Russia, and Georgia -- a temporary transit country for Caspian gas shipped to Turkey.<br /><br />While the most recent bout between Russia and Ukraine appears to raise Nabucco’s prospects, other news and the entire constellation of circumstances leading up to the summit are discouraging.<br /><br />Nabucco’s stage, cast, and maddening difficulties of orchestration<br />With an estimated construction cost of $10 billion, the pipeline would transport Caspian and Mideastern gas along its 2,050-mile long route from Erzurum, Turkey, through Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary, to the Baumgarten Hub in Austria, from where further customers in Central and Western European would be served. If construction begins next year, as currently envisaged, the system could become operational by 2013, and could reach its full throughput capacity of 31 billion cubic meters per annum (bcm/y) by 2020. The Nabucco consortium is managed by Austria’s OMV, Central Europe’s top oil and gas group, and includes the leading energy companies of the rest of the four countries along its route, plus the German utility giant, RWE.<br /><br />Nabucco enjoys EU support and U.S. approval, yet it has been struggling from the start. It has to compete for Caspian and Mideastern gas resources not only with formidable Gazprom, which is building up its capacity to serve European markets, but also with China, to some extent India, and with other projects designed to reduce Russia’s grip on Europe’s energy sector.<br /><br />Gazprom’s ability to deliver gas to Europe will increase through the construction of the North Stream (completion date 2012), the South Stream -- Nabucco’s direct rival -- with 2015 as the completion date; and the expansion of the Blue Stream, supposedly ready by next year. The main Gazprom-competing projects, in addition to Nabucco, are the Turkish-Greek-Italian Gas Connector (completion date 2012), the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (completion date 2012), and the White Stream or Georgia-Ukraine-EU line (proposed).</blockquote><div>
</div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://peakenergy.blogspot.com/2009/01/russian-gas-supply-to-europe-still.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>The SMH reports that Russian gas exports via the Ukraine have been blocked yet again - <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/europe-gas-halted-as-russiaukraine-deal-falters/2009/01/14/1231608744155.html">Europe gas halted as Russia-Ukraine deal falters</a>.<br /><blockquote>Russia"s natural gas supplies bound for a freezing Europe were halted again on Tuesday only a few hours after a truce had been announced in its "gas war" with Ukraine. The Gazprom energy giant accused Ukraine of blocking gas bound for Europe, while Ukraine blamed "unacceptable" technical conditions imposed by Russia.<br /><br />The breakdown again infuriated the European Union as hundreds of thousands of people shivered in the depth of winter and factories and schools remained closed in many countries.<br /><br />European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso telephoned Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, to express the "EU"s disappointment" at the new hurdles.<br /><br />"Ukraine has blocked all our actions in respect of renewal of the transit of natural gas through Ukraine, which is unbelievable," said Gazprom"s deputy chief executive Alexander Medvedev. "In these circumstances we again don"t have the physical possibility to transit gas to European customers and the whole responsibility for this lies on the Ukrainian side," he added.</blockquote><br />The ABC reports that Gazprom is accusing the Ukrainians of being American puppets - <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/13/2465282.htm?section=justin">Gazprom accuses Ukraine of being "US puppet"</a>.<br /><blockquote>Russian state-controlled gas behemoth, Gazprom, has accused the United States of orchestrating the Ukraine"s actions in the gas dispute that has left Europe with gas shortages. Russia started pumping transit gas destined for European consumers into the Ukraine earlier today for the first time since transit supplies were halted on January 8.<br /><br />"We believed yesterday that the door for Russian gas was open but again it"s been blocked by the Ukrainians," Gazprom deputy chief executive Alexander Medvedev said on a conference call with reporters. "It looks like... they are dancing to the music which is being orchestrated not in Kiev but outside the country."<br /><br />Mr Medvedev said he was referring to an agreement signed between the Ukraine and the United States. He did not name the agreement. </blockquote><br />The Times reports that British gas reserves have fallen to less than a week’s supply of UK consumption - <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article5489455.ece">Britain close to low gas alert</a>.<br /><blockquote>BRITAIN’S gas network operator is on the verge of issuing an emergency alert that could lead to cuts for industrial users and potentially affect Ireland, which takes 90% of its supply from Britain.<br /><br />The National Grid in Britain said it could issue the “gas balancing alert” in the next two to three days because reserves had fallen to less than a week’s supply of UK needs.<br /><br />Suppliers were forced to dip into reserves last week after energy companies began siphoning gas out of Britain to supply other parts of Europe.<br /><br />Bord Gais said on Wednesday that consumption had reached a two-year high due to cold weather but it would take months before the row between Russia and Ukraine would cause a shortage in Ireland.<br /><br />“The conflict would have to run into months before it would be a problem for Britain and Ireland,” said John Mullins, the Bord Gais chief executive. </blockquote><br />Jerome a Paris ha an update of his regular series of posts on the topic at The Oil Drum - <a href="http://europe.theoildrum.com/node/4965">Gas crisis: Is Gazprom really expecting Europe to take its side against Ukraine?</a><br /><blockquote>It looks to me that Gazprom seems to be thinking that it had successfully managed to put the blame for the conflict on the Ukrainians, and was trying to push its advantage and finally separate the issue of payment for gas delivered to Ukraine from that of the transit of gas (thanks to the European monitors enlisted to put the blame on Ukraine for blocking further gas deliveries).<br /><br />But it looks like we"re back to square one: the Ukrainians will not accept to pay for the portion of the gas delivered by Gazprom, and will still hold transit hostage to impose that. It will be interesting to see Europe"s reaction, but I don"t see them taking sides in favor of Russia in this conflict.<br /><br />I presume that Gazprom sees little downside to this, expecting that this will improve the prospects of its direct pipeline projects like Nordstream and Southstream, but this might be a bad miscalculation.<br /><br />With the nuclear lobby strengthened in recent years, and wind industry actually able to deliver, it"s quite possible that plans to move away from gas-fired power generation could finally take shape and make Europe, for almost the first time, focus on the demand side of the equation.<br /><br />Gazprom"s main asset has been its reliability. Its extended shenanigans in Ukraine (where their case, once again, is rather narrow and weak, altogether) are endangering this a lot more than they improve prospects for additional revenue from Ukraine.</blockquote><br />Energy Bulletin has an article on the impact of the gas situation on prospects for the Nabucco pipeline (ignoring one key option that I"ve been meaning to write a post on for a while) - <a href="http://energybulletin.net/node/47703">Russia-Ukraine gas row - cacophonic overture to Nabucco summit</a>.<br /><blockquote>he hardship imposed on Central and Southeastern Europe by the delivery hiatus of Russian gas via Ukraine has unleashed a free flow of speculations about the future of the Nabucco pipeline project. Nabucco could bring Europe a modicum of badly needed independence from Russia’s state-dominated Gazprom, the world’s largest gas company. It could also provide some protection against being held hostage by the endless wrangling between Moscow and Kiev over prices, pilfering, and unpaid bills.<br /><br />To seal the deal and make final commitments, a summit is scheduled in Budapest on January 26-27, with the participation of consortium members (Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, and Turkey) and potential suppliers (Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan), the European Union (as represented by the Czech Republic, which is currently filling the role of the Union’s rotating presidency, and the EU energy commissioner); the Council of Europe and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Invitations have also been extended to the United States, Russia, and Georgia -- a temporary transit country for Caspian gas shipped to Turkey.<br /><br />While the most recent bout between Russia and Ukraine appears to raise Nabucco’s prospects, other news and the entire constellation of circumstances leading up to the summit are discouraging.<br /><br />Nabucco’s stage, cast, and maddening difficulties of orchestration<br />With an estimated construction cost of $10 billion, the pipeline would transport Caspian and Mideastern gas along its 2,050-mile long route from Erzurum, Turkey, through Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary, to the Baumgarten Hub in Austria, from where further customers in Central and Western European would be served. If construction begins next year, as currently envisaged, the system could become operational by 2013, and could reach its full throughput capacity of 31 billion cubic meters per annum (bcm/y) by 2020. The Nabucco consortium is managed by Austria’s OMV, Central Europe’s top oil and gas group, and includes the leading energy companies of the rest of the four countries along its route, plus the German utility giant, RWE.<br /><br />Nabucco enjoys EU support and U.S. approval, yet it has been struggling from the start. It has to compete for Caspian and Mideastern gas resources not only with formidable Gazprom, which is building up its capacity to serve European markets, but also with China, to some extent India, and with other projects designed to reduce Russia’s grip on Europe’s energy sector.<br /><br />Gazprom’s ability to deliver gas to Europe will increase through the construction of the North Stream (completion date 2012), the South Stream -- Nabucco’s direct rival -- with 2015 as the completion date; and the expansion of the Blue Stream, supposedly ready by next year. The main Gazprom-competing projects, in addition to Nabucco, are the Turkish-Greek-Italian Gas Connector (completion date 2012), the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (completion date 2012), and the White Stream or Georgia-Ukraine-EU line (proposed).</blockquote><div>
</div><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://peakenergy.blogspot.com/2009/01/russian-gas-supply-to-europe-still.html" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>PainlessPump.com :: Policy | Articles2009-01-06T04:30:00Z2009-01-06T04:30:00Z/Policy/Policy/The-energy-year-2008-in-a-nutshell.html<p> <img src="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/modules/tinymce/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/imagemanager/images/2008/winter.jpg" border="0" alt="Winter" width="400" height="300" /> </p> <h3>Looking at the sunny or at the shady side? <br /> </h3> <p> The year 2008 was a wild ride for energy. Oil prices and the global economy were turbulent throughout the year. The sustainable energy market kept on growing, albeit at a much slower rate of growth in the final six months of the year. For many aspects of the past year, we have to wait and see how 2009 evolves before being able to judge the significance of 2008. </p> <p> <strong>The following are 10 topics and trends of the energy year 2008: </strong> </p> <ol> <li> <p> The financial crisis affecting the sustainable energy market - or not? </p> </li> <li> <p> High oil price volatility </p> </li> <li> <p> Energy efficiency a high priority for the EU </p> </li> <li> <p> The first implementation of the eco-design directive measures </p> </li> <li> <p> Mandatory energy labels for buildings established in several EU countries </p> </li> <li> <p> Wind turbines keep on growing in size and efficiency </p> </li> <li> <p> After bulk wind power, there is also bulk solar power </p> </li> <li> <p> Asia keeps growing fast in renewables </p> </li> <li> <p> Reality dawns for large-scale integration of renewables </p> </li> <li> <p> <span>Microgrids are being intensively studied and tested</span> </p> </li> </ol> We invite you to <a href="http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228NVZVQ23M" target="_blank">take our survey</a> and vote / comment on these trends. <br /> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/node/4027">read more</a></p><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/node/4027" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p><p> <img src="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/modules/tinymce/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/imagemanager/images/2008/winter.jpg" border="0" alt="Winter" width="400" height="300" /> </p> <h3>Looking at the sunny or at the shady side? <br /> </h3> <p> The year 2008 was a wild ride for energy. Oil prices and the global economy were turbulent throughout the year. The sustainable energy market kept on growing, albeit at a much slower rate of growth in the final six months of the year. For many aspects of the past year, we have to wait and see how 2009 evolves before being able to judge the significance of 2008. </p> <p> <strong>The following are 10 topics and trends of the energy year 2008: </strong> </p> <ol> <li> <p> The financial crisis affecting the sustainable energy market - or not? </p> </li> <li> <p> High oil price volatility </p> </li> <li> <p> Energy efficiency a high priority for the EU </p> </li> <li> <p> The first implementation of the eco-design directive measures </p> </li> <li> <p> Mandatory energy labels for buildings established in several EU countries </p> </li> <li> <p> Wind turbines keep on growing in size and efficiency </p> </li> <li> <p> After bulk wind power, there is also bulk solar power </p> </li> <li> <p> Asia keeps growing fast in renewables </p> </li> <li> <p> Reality dawns for large-scale integration of renewables </p> </li> <li> <p> <span>Microgrids are being intensively studied and tested</span> </p> </li> </ol> We invite you to <a href="http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB228NVZVQ23M" target="_blank">take our survey</a> and vote / comment on these trends. <br /> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/node/4027">read more</a></p><p></p><p align="right"><a href="http://www.leonardo-energy.org/drupal/node/4027" target="blank">Visit my Blog...</a></p>