Via EPA – On August 1, 2013, the president issued Executive Order (EO) 13650 – Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security – to improve the safety and security of chemical facilities and reduce the risks of hazardous chemicals to facility workers and operators, communities, and responders. Chemicals and the facilities that manufacture, store, distribute and use them are essential… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Energy
New GAO Reports – Community Development, Human Capital, Small Business Research, Fusion Energy, Maritime Critical IT Protection
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CAPITAL INITIATIVE: Status of the Program and Financial Health of Remaining Participants, GAO-14-579: Published: Jun 6, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 6, 2014. HUMAN CAPITAL: Strategies to Help Agencies Meet Their Missions in an Era of Highly Constrained Resources, GAO-14-168: Published: May 7, 2014. Publicly Released: Jun 6, 2014. SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH PROGRAMS: More Guidance and Oversight Needed to Comply with… Continue Reading
EPA Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule
“On June 2, 2014, EPA proposed a commonsense plan to cut carbon pollution from power plants. States, cities and businesses across the country are already taking action to address the risks of climate change. EPA’s proposal builds on those actions and is flexible – reflecting that different states have a different mix of sources and… Continue Reading
New Carbon Pollution Standards Can Save Americans $37.4 billion on Electric Bills
“The first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants can save American households and business customers $37.4 billion on their electric bills in 2020 while creating more than 274,000 jobs, a Natural Resources Defense Council analysis shows. Those are among the tangible potential benefits of the anticipated limits on carbon pollution spewing from the nation’s coal-… Continue Reading
Average retail gasoline price is $3.67 per gallon heading into Memorial Day weekend
EIA: “Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start of the summer driving season. Leading up to this year’s holiday, the national average retail price for regular gasoline is $3.67 per gallon (gal), as it was this time last year. After increasing 42 cents/gal from early February to $3.71/gal in late April, gasoline prices have fallen modestly in… Continue Reading
GEF Countries Meet with a Strong Mandate for Environmental Action
“The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Operations Council and Assembly meet this week with a new record level of pledges to support developing countries in their work to prevent environmental degradation. A new publication, When Foundational Acts Generate Significant Impacts, looks at GEF projects channeled through the World Bank Group, from support for low-carbon cities and renewable energy sources to… Continue Reading
The Cost of Air Pollution: Health Impacts of Road Transport
OECD – May 21, 2014: “Outdoor air pollution kills more than 3 million people across the world every year, and causes health problems from asthma to heart disease for many more. This is costing societies very large amounts in terms of the value of lives lost and ill health. Based on extensive new epidemiological evidence… Continue Reading
Asia’s Oil Supply: Risks and Pragmatic Remedies
Research Paper – John Mitchell, May 2014 – “Asia is more at risk from disruption of Middle East oil supplies than is either Europe or the United States, yet as a whole it is less prepared to deal with such an upheaval. This paper analyses the risks that major Asian importers would face if oil supplies through the… Continue Reading
World Bank – Global Consumption Database
“IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, today launched the world’s most comprehensive database on consumer spending patterns in developing countries—a tool to help private sector companies identify business opportunities that can benefit low-income people in developing countries. The Global Consumption Database, launched in cooperation with the World Bank, is based on government surveys of more… Continue Reading
DOE Releases New Guidance for Strengthening Cybersecurity of Grid’s Supply Chain
News release: “”As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to a strong and secure power grid, the Energy Department today released new guidance to help U.S. industry strengthen energy delivery system cybersecurity. Developed through a public-private working group including federal agencies and private industry leaders, the Department’s Cybersecurity Procurement Language for Energy Delivery Systems guidance provides strategies… Continue Reading
Uranium Marketing Annual Report
Uranium purchases and prices: “Owners and operators of U.S. civilian nuclear power reactors (“civilian owner/operators” or “COOs”) purchased a total of 57 million pounds U3O8e (equivalent1) of deliveries from U.S. suppliers and foreign suppliers during 2013, at a weighted-average price of $51.99 per pound U3O8e. The 2013 total of 57 million pounds U3O8e decreased slightly compared… Continue Reading
China produces and consumes almost as much coal as the rest of the world combined
EIA – “Chinese production and consumption of coal increased for the 13th consecutive year in 2012. China is by far the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, accounting for 46% of global coal production and 49% of global coal consumption—almost as much as the rest of the world combined. As a manufacturing country that… Continue Reading
