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
Most places prepare for the cold by protecting their critical infrastructure from freezing up. Texas does not. Lax regulation exposed electricity producers—and their customers—to failures that killed off all four of Texas’ top generating types: natural gas, wind, coal and nuclear. We look at each technology to show what failed. We also show how more cautious jurisdictions routinely deal with the problems that took Texas offline. Continue Reading
During a time of growing unease about critical minerals for energy and materials, actions that restrict or prevent the development of oil and natural gas imply new strategic concerns for vitally important hydrocarbons. As a source of both fuels and materials, hydrocarbons are essential for defense and non-defense applications, including food and medical security and energy technologies. Balanced thinking and policy making are crucial to ensuring a sustainable path forward. Continue Reading