As cyber-sleuths work to unwind the nefarious hack on the Colonial Pipeline, one of America’s most critical pieces of energy infrastructure, the country is getting yet another lesson in the crucial role of energy storage. Continue Reading
Advanced recycling of plastics can help the U.S. achieve sustainability goals and a climate-neutral, circular economy. Policies that consider systems-level impacts can ensure plastics stay in our economy and out of the environment. Continue Reading
As the Texas legislature barrels ahead with remedies for preventing deadly blackouts like those that swept the state in February, we still can’t pinpoint the exact points of failure on the Texas power grid and natural gas system. New revelations by ERCOT suggest that early assessments were incorrect. As the facts continue to emerge, we suggest a few market design remedies to improve weatherization incentives. Continue Reading
If China’s dominance of rare earth element supplies is the global energy transition’s “elephant in the room,” then copper is the 800-pound gorilla. China’s push for outbound investment, with attendant strategic nuances, is a hallmark of emerging concerns about raw materials supply chains. Continue Reading
The atmospheric concentration of sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) — the most potent greenhouse gas known to humanity and a chemical that is frequently used as an electrical insulator — is growing and thereby contributing to global warming. Should we worry? And what can be done to mitigate the risks? Continue Reading
The U.S. oil, gas and coal industry largely rose and fell based on global economic and energy market conditions rather than federal energy and environmental policies implemented by the Trump administration. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect markets to continue to shape the future of the oil and gas industry. Continue Reading
Today, electricity is the new oil when it comes to energy security. The immediacy of power outages and the ubiquity of critical elements of modern life powered by electricity mean the impact of oil supply disruptions are a walk in the park compared with our power vulnerabilities. Moreover, our dependence on electricity and our vulnerability to disruptions are rising. It is critical that we recognize that our national security – and a successful climate policy – both depend on building a more a robust and resilient power system. Continue Reading