Report Emphasizes Need to Reduce U.S. Consumption of Petroleum
An attempt to account for the energy security costs of domestic and imported oil finds higher security costs for imported oil. However, the costs are low compared to the direct cost of oil, implying that U.S. energy security efforts should focus on lower petroleum use, regardless of its source.
Demand Side Energy Management Gains Converts
David Konkle, Energy Office Director of the ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - speaks at a Northwest Michigan Sustainable Business Forum workshop focusing on demand side energy management.
T-RECs Invade California Energy Market
To meet renewable goals, California utilities can buy power from Arizona households. It's a new ball game.
Doors Open to Offshore Energy Production in Virginia
The National Ocean Industries Association announced its support of Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) and the Virginia General Assembly for their bipartisan agreement in enacting two state laws supporting energy development off the state's coast.
Smart Grid May Need Security Tutoring
Smart meters have the potential to both lower electrical costs for consumers around the world and promote emerging M2M applications for the corporate world. But at last week's RSA Security Conference in San Francisco, a panel of experts also outlined some key areas of vulnerability for IP-based smart grids.
Home Depot Works to Further Reduce Energy Use
Home Depot already has made changes that reduced its energy use by 16% -- enough to power more than 200,000 U.S. homes for a year. Other plans include lowering lighting wattage and upgrading heating and cooling systems.
California to Regulate Potent GHG Emitted By Utility Equipment
California will regulate the emissions of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) from electric utility equipment starting in 2011, reports the New York Times. SF6 is used to insulate switches typically found in high-voltage transmission systems, which accounts for about 80 percent of California's total SF6 emissions.
Strategizing for the Ethanol Industry
Should Congress extend the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC), which essentially pays petroleum producers for complying with US law? The Corn industry thinks so, but not everyone agrees.
Is Energy Storage a Product or Service?
Why sell utilities the cow when they can get the electricity for a fee?
Is Nuclear Necessary? Duke Study Touts Power of Renewables
How necessary is nuclear power? A new study from Duke University suggests renewable energy, including solar, wind and hydroelectric, can meet all but 6% of North Carolina's electricity needs.
Photo by Gideon Tsang