oil

A U.S. Ban on Fracking: Implications on U.S. and Global Energy Security

Winners, Losers, and Impacts If a US Fracking Ban Is Enacted

Leading Democratic presidential nominees want to ban fracking “everywhere.” However, the ban may do more harm than good and adversely affect U.S. and global energy security. A U.S. fracking ban will incentivize emerging economies and high carbon emitters like China, India, and other Asian countries to turn even more to coal and heating oil to meet their power generation, heating, and cooking needs. Also, the ban will increase the costs of wind and solar projects since their components come from natural gas liquids and liquid petroleum gas derived from oil and natural gas. Read more

Oil's Critical Role in Electricity Markets During Cold Winters

Winter Storm Jonas brings 20 inches of snow

I know that declining oil prices are in the news. However, the one bright spot is oil's role in electricity markets, especially during winter. Here’s a short summary of work that Devin Hartman [now the Electricity Policy Manager at the R Street Institute] and I did previously when we were trying to determine dual-fuel oil fired power generation’s role in ensuring the electric reliability in organized electricity markets.  Read more

I Think I Figured Out How to Make Sense of the Clean Power Plan

Risk factors for Critical Energy Infrastructure

As an energy expert, it’s difficult to escape news and commentary about EPA’s Final Clean Power Plan. However, I’m not a lawyer, but someone interested in how to make sense of the plan when it comes to cybersecurity and energy markets. More important, I’ve asked myself if the Clean Power Plan is just a speed bump or really a rule that is masking a megatrend. I’m leaning toward the latter when it comes to the energy sector, but have specific ideas when it comes to cybersecurity and ensuring reliable secure supplies and reasonable prices of electricity, natural gas, crude oil and refined petroleum products.  Read more

Natural Gas Pipelines face modernization- Are Oil Pipelines Next?

Federal regulators at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commisson issued proposed regulations that would help to modernize the interstate natural gas pipelines in the U.S. Rumor has it that the Department of Energy pressured FERC to do so in an effort to reduce natural gas (methane) leaks from aging pipelines. Methane is a green house gas that makes significant contributions to global warming. Read more

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