ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS: Actions Needed to Further Improve Management of Hopper Dredging, GAO-14-290: Published: Apr 10, 2014. Publicly Released: May 12, 2014. CLEAR AIR FORCE STATION: Air Force Reviewed Costs and Benefits of Several Options before Deciding to Close the Power Plant, GAO-14-550: Published: May 12, 2014. Publicly Released: May 12, 2014. DEFENSE BUSINESS SYSTEMS: Further Refinements Needed to Guide the… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Energy
Reducing Poverty Through Climate Action
A Strategy for Global Development Leaders | Molly Elgin-Cossart, Cathleen Kelly, and Abigail Jones | May 8, 2014 “Climate change is already affecting every continent across the globe, and people living in developing countries will fare far worse than most in a warmer world, warns a March report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC.… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Alternative Jet Fuels, DHS, Federal Vehicle Fleets, Information Technology
ALTERNATIVE JET FUELS: Federal Activities Support Development and Usage, but Long-term Commercial Viability Hinges on Market Factors, GAO-14-407: Published: May 7, 2014. Publicly Released: May 7, 2014. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY: Progress Made; Significant Work Remains in Addressing High-Risk Areas, GAO-14-532T: Published: May 7, 2014. Publicly Released: May 7, 2014. FEDERAL VEHICLE FLEETS: GSA Has Opportunities to Further Encourage Cost Savings for… Continue Reading
Fitch – Fracking Water Supply Risk Would Fall On US Utilities
Fitch Ratings-New York-02 May 2014: “Despite more stringent state laws, water and sewer utilities must comply with EPA water regulations and would bear much of the financial burden if hydrofracking (fracking) operations lead to contamination of a water supply, Fitch Ratings says. This week the state of Michigan joined a growing list of states that… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Defense Acquisitions, Defense Transportation, DOE Loan Programs
DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Observations on Whether the Military Service Chiefs’ Role in Managing and Overseeing Major Weapon Programs Should Be Expanded, GAO-14-520: Published: May 1, 2014. Publicly Released: May 1, 2014. DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION: DOD Needs to Take Actions to Improve the Transportation of Hazardous Material Shipments, GAO-14-375: Published: May 1, 2014. Publicly Released: May 1, 2014: “Over 3 billion tons of HAZMAT… Continue Reading
For First Time Over 50 Percent of Current Year Models Get More Than 23 MPG
“For the first time ever, over 50 percent of the current year’s vehicles get more than 23 miles per gallon (mpg) according to the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). After categorizing 1,099 2014 passenger vehicle models into 10 different mpg rating categories, CFA concludes that 2014 is a historic year for automakers. This finding is especially significant… Continue Reading
Cybersecurity Procurement Language for Energy Delivery Systems
Energy Sector Control Systems Working Group (ESCSWG) April 2014: “Energy delivery systems are critical to the effective and reliable operation of North America’s energy infrastructure. Our twenty-first-century way of life is made possible by the vast network of processes enabled by these systems, as well as the interconnected electronic components, communication devices, and people who monitor and control those… Continue Reading
Responding to Oil Spills in the U.S. Arctic Marine Environment
“U.S. Arctic waters north of the Bering Strait and west of the Canadian border encompass a vast area that is usually ice covered for much of the year, but is increasingly experiencing longer periods and larger areas of open water due to climate change. Sparsely inhabited with a wide variety of ecosystems found nowhere else,… Continue Reading
Implications of accelerated power plant retirements
EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2014 – Jeffrey Jones/Michael Leff: “In 2012, coal-fired and nuclear power plants together provided 56% of the electricity generated in the United States. The role of these technologies in the U.S. generation mix has been changing since 2009, as both low natural gas prices and slower growth of electricity demand have altered their… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – Defense Health Care, Defense Logistics, Electricity Markets
DEFENSE HEALTH CARE: More-Specific Guidance Needed for Assessing Nonenrolled TRICARE Beneficiaries’ Access to Care, GAO-14-384: Published: Apr 28, 2014. Publicly Released: Apr 28, 2014. DEFENSE LOGISTICS: Actions Needed to Improve Department-Wide Management of Conventional Ammunition Inventory, GAO-14-182: Published: Mar 31, 2014. Publicly Released: Apr 28, 2014. ELECTRICITY MARKETS: Demand-Response Activities Have Increased, but FERC Could Improve Data Collection and Reporting Efforts, GAO-14-73: Published:… Continue Reading
Ten Times More Solar Power Coming to New York With Expansion of State Program
VIa NRDC: The Cuomo administration today took the final step in approving a major expansion of the state’s NY-Sun Initiative—a program that is successfully boosting solar power across the state—extending it through 2023 and supporting a tenfold increase in the clean energy source. A statement from NRDC Clean Energy Counsel Kit Kennedy follows: “In just two years,… Continue Reading
Oil Spill Clean Up in U.S. Arctic Waters Requires Increased Infrastructure to Use Full Range of Response Methods
News release: “A changing climate is increasing the accessibility of U.S. Arctic waters to commercial activities such as shipping, oil and gas development, and tourism, raising concern about the risk of oil spills. A new report from the National Research Council says that a full suite of proven oil response tools is needed to address potential oil… Continue Reading
