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Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Underwater balloons: Clean energy savior?

In the waters of Lake Ontario, Canada, a hugely significant energy development is taking place. Hydrostor is a company specializing in underwater compressed energy storage. Their idea addresses a significant issue facing renewables: the question of how to store energy to be used when the sun is not shining or winds aren’t strong enough. “The […]

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Businesses Find that It’s Possible to Save Money–and the Environment

Yesterday, Bill Gates announced The Breakthrough Energy Coalition, which is a $2 billion fund he is establishing with other wealthy folks and the University of California. It is aimed at closing the cost premium between legacy energy sources and those that reduce carbon emissions. The subtext is clear: Businesses won’t become fully engaged in combating […]

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Two-Thirds of Americans Want U.S. to Join Climate Change Pact

Drought has brought the water level at Lake Oroville in California close to a record low. Credit Ruth Fremson/The New York Times A solid majority of Americans say the United States should join an international treaty to limit the impact of global warming, but on this and other climate-related questions, opinion divides sharply along partisan […]

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U.S. gasoline prices this Thanksgiving are the lowest in seven years

Source: Provided by GasBuddy.com U.S. retail regular-grade gasoline prices continue to decline, averaging $2.09 per gallon (g) as of November 23, 73 cents lower than this time last year and the lowest heading into a Thanksgiving holiday weekend since 2008. Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the heaviest travel times of the year in […]

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Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions decreased in nearly every state from 2005 to 2013

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions at the State Level, 2000-13 The United States has a diverse energy landscape that is reflected in differences in state-level emissions profiles. Since 2005, energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions fell in 48 states (including the District of Columbia) and rose in 3 states, on a per […]

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Connecticut, The Microgrid State

Hurricanes Sandy and Irene and a number of lower profile emergencies have had a great impact on Connecticut. Instead of just nervously watching The Weather Channel, the state is taking action. The latest example of efforts to ensure that key functions kept operating in emergency – and to give a boost to the traditional grid […]

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U.S. Army Testing Energy Harvesting Backpack

The U.S. Army wants to build backpacks that generate electricity when the person wearing them walks. The Army Research Laboratory is testing a prototype of what it calls the “Energy Harvesting Backpack” at facilities in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The prototype is essentially a standard assault backpack equipped with a two-spring frame that moves up […]

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PUC Bans Pass-Through Clauses in ALL Fixed Rate Contracts In Ruling “Fixed Means Fixed”; Rules on Permissibility of Regulatory Out Clauses

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has ruled that fixed rate electric contracts, for all customer classes, may not contain pass-through clauses, but will allow for regulatory-out clauses that allow suppliers to cease service under fixed rate contracts under terms as delineated in the contracts “[I]n all CRES contracts, whether residential, commercial, or industrial, fixed […]

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New classifications of natural gas storage regions will begin November 19

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report EIA’s Weekly Natural Gas Storage Report (WNGSR) publishes weekly natural gas storage inventories by region. Natural gas storage levels have been high and recently reached a record 3,978 trillion cubic feet as of Friday, November 6. In an effort to better illustrate regional storage trends, […]

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