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Solar installations set a record in Q3, but new federal policies may make future uncertain

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer A record-setting 8.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity was installed in the third quarter of 2024 – a 21% year-over-year increase – but a combination of manufacturing constraints and uncertainty about Trump administration energy policy may cool growth, according to an industry market report. Total solar deployment in 2024…

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Refining margins strong in the short run, face pressures from decline in gasoline demand

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer A combination of demand for refined products and limited refining capacity will keep margins high through 2035 for the global refining industry, but a drop in demand for gasoline and the rise in biofuels will pressure the sector after 2040, according to consultant Rystad Energy. “Refining margins are expected…

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Energy project financing should be stable in 2025 with a few risk areas, Morningstar says

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Global energy project financing – with a few areas of risk such as aging wind farms, data centers, and trade impacts for solar – will be largely stable in 2025, according to report from the investment research company Morningstar. The Morningstar analysis covers its portfolio of wind, solar, river…

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Winter U.S. natural gas inventories are at an eight-year high, fuel for generation is a worry

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Natural gas inventories heading into the winter heating season are at their highest level since 2016, 6% above the five-year average, but electric reliability regulators remain concerned about the impact of freezing temperatures on deliveries to power plants. “While the natural gas industry is making progress on commercial practices…

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Consumer advocates from multiple states seek FERC relief from “crushing” capacity rates

By Mark Jaffe, EUCI energy writer Six consumer advocates – across four states and the District of Columbia – have filed a complaint with federal regulators contending that the rate design of the country’s largest grid, the PJM Interconnection, is creating “crushing” capacity prices. For the 2025-2026 delivery year, those capacity prices jumped sevenfold to…

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Court Sets Timetable For PFAS Litigation

Court Sets Timetable For PFAS Litigation September 9, 2024 AMWA and AWWA’s litigation challenging EPA’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS continues to inch forward in the courts. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals announced the briefing schedule that will govern the case timetable over the next six months. Under the order, AMWA…

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Gulf of Mexico Oil, Gas Production Almost Fully Restored After Hurricane

Gulf of Mexico Oil, Gas Production Almost Fully Restored After Hurricane September 17, 2024 Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production is almost fully restored following hurricane Francine, a statement posted on the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s (BSEE) website on Monday revealed. In the statement, the BSEE noted that, from operator reports, it…

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Four Kansas GOP members working to blunt federal power on transmission line corridor

Four Kansas GOP members working to blunt federal power on transmission line corridor September 13, 2024 Four Republicans in the Kansas congressional delegation Friday offered support for legislation limiting federal authority to take control of private property for development of a national electric transmission corridor. The bill backed by U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann and Ron…

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NTEC receives DOE funding to study Four Corners carbon capture

NTEC receives DOE funding to study Four Corners carbon capture September 16, 2024 A minority owner of the Four Corners Power Plant received federal funding to study retrofitting the coal-fired generating station with carbon capture technology. The Navajo Transitional Energy Company—an enterprise division of the Navajo Nation—announced this week that it has received $6.5 million…

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1st molten salt nuclear reactor in 30 years gains historic permit from US Agency

1st molten salt nuclear reactor in 30 years gains historic permit from US Agency Sep 17, 2024 The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has granted Abilene Christian University (ACU) the construction permit for an advanced nuclear reactor called the Natura MSR-1. This is the first liquid salt-fueled reactor ever licensed by the NRC and the…

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Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft balk at Ohio utility’s demand they pay for electric grid upgrades to support AI rollout

Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft balk at Ohio utility’s demand they pay for electric grid upgrades to support AI rollout Sep. 16, 2024 Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta have banded together to fight an Ohio utility that wants them to pay for upgrades to the electric grid that will be necessary to support the Big…

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Federal $500M bailout for Muskrat Falls power delays to keep N.S. rate hikes in check

Federal $500M bailout for Muskrat Falls power delays to keep N.S. rate hikes in check September 17, 2024 Ottawa is negotiating a $500-million bailout for Nova Scotia’s privately owned electric utility, saying the money will be used to prevent a big spike in electricity rates. Federal Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson made the announcement Monday…

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