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Category Archives: Energy

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

CRS – Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress. Ronald O’Rourke, Coordinator Specialist in Naval Affairs, October 2, 2015. “The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has  heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has… Continue Reading

Short Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook

“EIA projects average U.S. household expenditures for natural gas, heating oil, and propane during the upcoming winter heating season (October 1 through March 31) will be 10%, 25%, and 18% lower, respectively, than last winter, because of lower fuel prices and lower heating demand. Forecast lower heating demand and relatively unchanged prices contribute to electricity… Continue Reading

South Korea imports most of its energy demand

EIA:  “South Korea relies on imports to meet about 97% of its total primary energy consumption as a result of insufficient domestic resources. The country is one of the world’s leading energy importers.” “South Korea was the world’s ninth-largest energy consumer in 2014, according to estimates from the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2015.… Continue Reading

2012 Economic Census: Mining Geographic Area Series

“The 2012 Economic Census mining release continues with three geographic area series reports, which provide statistics for the state or offshore areas. Industry statistics are published at the two- through six-digit North American Industry Classification System levels and detailed statistics are shown at the two-digit NAICS level. Industry statistics by type of operation for state or offshore areas are… Continue Reading

VW issues statement on emission violations

Follow up to EPA, California Notify Volkswagen of Clean Air Act Violations – see Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG: Volkswagen AG has issued the following information, September 22, 2015: “Volkswagen is working at full speed to clarify irregularities concerning a particular software used in diesel engines. New vehicles from… Continue Reading

Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock

“Fractured rock is the host or foundation for innumerable engineered structures related to energy, water, waste, and transportation. Characterizing, modeling, and monitoring fractured rock sites is critical to the functioning of those infrastructure, as well as to optimizing resource recovery and contaminant management. Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock examines the state of… Continue Reading

EPA, California Notify Volkswagen of Clean Air Act Violations

News release: “[September 19, 2015], EPA is issuing a notice of violation (NOV) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) to Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (collectively referred to as Volkswagen). The NOV alleges that four-cylinder Volkswagen and Audi diesel cars from model years 2009-2015 include software that circumvents EPA emissions… Continue Reading

Data – California drought will worsen in coming years

OnEarth: “California’s current three-year drought seems terrible, but everything is relative. The moist, lush California we’re used to represents a moment in time—a golden age for the Golden State. A millennium ago, its droughts were longer, drier, and more damaging than anything the United States has seen in its short lifetime. And those massive droughts… Continue Reading

A Guide to Cyber Risk

“Cyber risk is now a major threat to clients’ businesses. Companies increasingly face new exposures including first-and third-party damage, business interruption (BI) and regulatory consequences.  A Guide to Cyber Risk examines global trends and developments in cyber, while also identifying the emerging risks that will significantly impact the industry in the near future. > Download… Continue Reading

Investigative Reporting – Research Confirmed Fossil Fuels’ Role in Global Warming Decades Ago

“After eight months of investigation, InsideClimate News presents this multi-part history of Exxon’s engagement with the emerging science of climate change. The story spans four decades, and is based on primary sources including internal company files dating back to the late 1970s, interviews with former company employees, and other evidence, much of which is being… Continue Reading

Commentary on Open Source Automobiles

Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica – Sep 15, 2015 – “Even if they’ve been longtime partners, the tech sector’s influence on the automotive industry has never been stronger. OEMs in Detroit, Stuttgart, Seoul, and elsewhere are continually transforming cars to meet the demands of consumers now conditioned to smartphones (and their 18-month refresh cycle). Much… Continue Reading

GAO Report – Hazardous Waste Cleanup

Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Numbers of Contaminated Federal Sites, Estimated Costs, and EPA’s Oversight Role, GAO-15-830T: Published: Sep 11, 2015. Publicly Released: Sep 11, 2015. “he Departments of Agriculture (USDA), the Interior, Defense (DOD), and Energy (DOE) have identified thousands of contaminated and potentially contaminated sites on land they manage but do not have a complete… Continue Reading