Blog

18Mar

Tackling the Challenge Head On

The country is facing a unique and mounting challenge. One that is requiring that we all chip in in our own ways. For many of us, doing our part is staying home, social distancing, washing our hands and looking out for those who might need assistance. It’s the very least we can do. Because while […]
11Mar

The “Most Critical” Technology

Just a week ago, (and what a week it has been) International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol testified before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Asked what technology is most essential to tackling emissions, he didn’t mince words. “If I had to pick one technology as the most critical, if I had a magic […]
05Mar

Energy Legislation that Puts Innovation First

For the first time in more than a decade, the U.S. may be getting closer to passing comprehensive energy legislation. Earlier this week, the Senate voted 84-3 to start debate of an energy package introduced by senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV). The legislation, S. 2657, the American Energy Innovation Act, has drawn […]
20Feb

Guidance to Get Going

It’s not every day when a notice from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is cause for excitement. Yesterday was one of those rare exceptions. The IRS finally issued guidance on the 45Q carbon capture tax credits. It was guidance the energy industry has been anticipating for two years, ever since Congress passed bipartisan legislation creating […]
13Feb

Markets Must Better Value Flexible, Dispatchable Coal Power

How valuable is a kilowatt hour of electricity? That, of course, depends greatly on when that electricity is produced and just how much it’s needed. Consider the gulf in value of excess electricity generated by solar power midday and the electricity produced by a coal plant when demand is spiking and intermittent sources of power […]
06Feb

Understanding Global Trends, Voters Want the U.S. to Lead on Coal Technology

In one of the most developed economies on earth, a place synonymous with advanced technology, coal isn’t on the way out; in fact, its role is growing. As The New York Times reported this week, Japan is building 22 new coal plants over the next five years. For Japan, advanced coal plants mean energy security […]
30Jan

A Failure to Connect the Dots

The U.S. has a growing energy infrastructure problem. More precisely, major transmission lines needed to move wind and solar power from regions of production to centers of demand aren’t being built at nearly the pace needed. Natural gas pipeline additions are also failing to keep up with gas demand. One infrastructure project after another is […]
27Jan

Pumping the Brakes on Power Grid Jenga

Indiana is right to be concerned. Coal has been indispensable in providing the low-cost, reliable power that has fueled industry in one of the nation’s leading manufacturing states. The sudden and accelerating loss of coal power in Indiana, and in surrounding states – without a plan to reliably replace it – has lawmakers and energy […]