10Apr

When the Market is the Problem

“Allow the market to work” has been the catchphrase rebuttal to any suggestion that the accelerating loss of baseload, fuel-secure power plants threatens grid reliability. Renewable and natural gas advocates have sung it from the rooftops like a lost verse of “Baby Shark.” What their dismissal assumes – what their unshakeable faith in the market […]
09Apr

A Rush to Renewables Overlooks Practical Concerns

Via The Morning Consult:  An interesting thing is happening in America’s energy markets right now. At the same time that advocates of wind and solar power are pushing to transform the nation’s electricity portfolio, others are warning of danger signs on the horizon. Renewable energy advocates are urging a rapid deployment of wind and solar […]
04Apr

A Clear Call for Action on Grid Reliability

Last Friday, Real Clear Politics hosted an event on the future of the U.S. electricity grid, or rather the challenge of maintaining grid reliability as the nation’s electricity mix undergoes dramatic change. The event, sponsored by NMA and America’s Power, brought together energy experts and officials on the frontline of the issue, including the Secretary […]
01Apr

A Strategic Electricity Reserve Makes Sense

Via Morning Consult:  Because we’re likely to face more extreme weather and higher natural gas costs in the years ahead, the government should establish a strategic electricity reserve as insurance against possible power shortages and sudden spikes in electricity prices. Although there is enough generating capacity to meet the current demand for power, the loss […]
27Mar

New Report Reaffirms Electricity Markets Aren’t Adequately Valuing Reliability

A new study being pushed by renewables advocates deserves note – but not for the reason its backers claim. It is noteworthy in that it is the perfect example of just how dysfunctional our electricity markets actually are and how uninformed the energy debate has become. The study, titled “The Coal Cost Crossover,” suggests that […]
27Mar

In 2018, U.S. Coal Exports Were the Highest in Five Years

Via The U.S. Energy Information Administration: Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Annual Coal Report, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau While U.S. coal consumption has generally declined since its 2008 peak, EIA expects that U.S. coal exports reached 116 million short tons (MMst) in 2018, the highest level in five years, based on foreign trade data collected […]
27Mar

A Reminder of Essential Value of Coal Power

Via The Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Pennsylvanians are keenly aware that the state’s weather can be unforgiving. The nation’s latest turn with the polar vortex was a reminder of just how unforgiving it can be, both in the Commonwealth and around most of the country. With temperatures dipping well-below zero in most regions, our energy systems, particularly […]
26Mar

Minnesotans Ought to be Concerned by State’s Sweeping Energy Transformation

Via The Duluth News Tribune: Renewable energy has certainly been in the news of late, with a number of states announcing efforts to ramp up wind and solar power. Minnesota is now joining this green movement, thanks to legislation introduced by Sen. Nick Frentz, DFL-North Mankato, and Rep. Jamie Long, DFL-Minneapolis. The two are hoping […]
25Mar

Natural Gas Exports Could Turn a Blessing Into a Curse

Via Real Clear Energy: If someone had suggested a decade ago that countries around the world could obtain large amounts of natural gas from the United States, the idea would have been dismissed as fantasy. Back at the turn of the century, American natural gas fields were thought to be depleted, and energy investors were […]
20Mar

A “Very Scary” Situation in Texas

Texas got a taste of cooler than expected weather this week and it sent shockwaves across the state’s electricity market. The Lone Star State learned a valuable lesson about putting too much faith in intermittent renewables. Temperatures dipped Monday morning, increasing heating demand, and that cooler weather was accompanied by calmer than expected winds. Calm […]