CRS – Russian Political, Economic, and Security Issues and U.S. Interests. Jim Nichol, Coordinator, Specialist in Russian and Eurasian Affairs. March 5, 2014. “Russia made uneven progress in democratization during the 1990s, but this limited progress was reversed after Vladimir Putin rose to power in 1999-2000, according to many observers. During this period, the State Duma (lower legislative chamber) became dominated by… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Energy
Covering the Extractives Industry: Big Data, New Tools, and Journalism
“This paper by ANYA SCHIFFRIN AND ERIKA RODRIGUES was presented during the professor’s track at the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in October 2013 in Rio De Janeiro. The extractives sector (oil, gas, and mining) continues to be an important subject for journalists, particularly in developing countries. Revenues from oil, gas and mining contribute substantially to GDP and in many… Continue Reading
EPA Sets Cleaner Fuel and Car Standards
Tier 3 Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards Program: “Based on extensive input from the public and a broad range of stakeholders, including public health groups, auto manufacturers, refiners, and states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized emission standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution and prevent thousands of premature… Continue Reading
Response to Environmental Impact Statement for the Keystone XL Project
“Carbon Tracker responds to the US Department of State’s Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) with our new research report KXL: The ‘significance’ trap. This report shows that the $8+ cost advantage KXL would bring over rail makes extra projects equivalent to the pipeline’s capacity break even. This market view confirms that KXL is significant for a… Continue Reading
EIA – South Africa Country Analysis Brief
“South Africa’s energy sector is critical to its economy, as the country relies heavily on its large-scale, energy-intensive coal mining industry. South Africa has limited proved reserves of oil and natural gas and uses its large coal deposits to meet most of its energy needs, particularly in the electricity sector. Most of the oil consumed… Continue Reading
Digital Devices Drive Electricity Demand for U.S.
“A new analysis from the Consumer Federation of America identifies household digital devices as a leading driver of electricity consumption in U.S. and California households. The analysis, Electricity Consumption and Energy Savings Potential of Digital Devices: The Role of California Appliance Standards Leadership finds that demand for electricity from computers, monitors, notebooks, game consoles, routers and similar devices is… Continue Reading
Energy trade is a key part of overall U.S. trade flows
“Energy trade has long been a key component of overall U.S. trade flows. Recent developments in U.S. energy production, notably the rapid growth of tight oil and shale gas output, are leading to significant changes in the nation’s energy trade flows. Another important factor is consumption trends, which reflect both increased efficiency of vehicles and… Continue Reading
2014 U.S. Climate Action Report to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
“On January 1, 2014, the Department of State submitted the 2014 U.S. Climate Action Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This report, which includes the First U.S. Biennial Report and Sixth U.S. National Communication to the UNFCCC, details actions the United States is taking domestically and internationally to mitigate, adapt to,… Continue Reading
New GAO Report – Plutonium Disposition Program
PLUTONIUM DISPOSITION PROGRAM: DOE Needs to Analyze the Root Causes of Cost Increases and Develop Better Cost Estimates, GAO-14-231: Published: Feb 13, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 13, 2014. “The Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) identified various drivers for the close to $3 billion increase in the estimated cost of the Plutonium Disposition program’s two… Continue Reading
EIA – Syria Country Analysis Brief
Report – “Syria’s energy sector is in turmoil because of the ongoing hostilities between government and opposition forces. Syria’s oil and natural gas production has declined dramatically since March 2011 because of the conflict and because of the subsequent imposition of sanctions by the United States and European Union in particular. Syria’s energy sector is… Continue Reading
New GAO Reports – IRS’s Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program, Medicaid, Oil and Gas
IRS’S OFFSHORE VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE PROGRAM: 2009 Participation by State and Location of Foreign Bank Accounts, GAO-14-265R: Published: Jan 6, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 19, 2014. MEDICAID: Demographics and Service Usage of Certain High-Expenditure Beneficiaries, GAO-14-176: Published: Feb 19, 2014. Publicly Released: Feb 19, 2014. OIL AND GAS: Interior Has Begun to Address Hiring and Retention Challenges but Needs to Do More, GAO-14-205: Published: Jan… Continue Reading
EIA – Short Term Energy Outlook
“Temperatures east of the Rocky Mountains have been significantly colder this winter (October – January) compared with the same period both last winter and the previous 10-year average, putting upward pressure on consumption and prices of fuels used for space heating. U.S. average heating degree days were 12% higher than last winter (indicating colder weather)… Continue Reading
