By Kennedy Maize A Wyoming Republican legislator (Democratic legislators in Wyoming are only slightly more common than jackalopes) is hinting that he has a plan for a new coal-fired power plant in the state that leads the nation in coal production. Rep. Scott Heiner from Green River in the southwestern corner of the Cowboy State, … More New Wyoming coal plant: Cowboy fantasy?
By Kennedy Maize The long-lived absurdities of the nation’s handling of the dangerous spent fuel rods from nuclear power plants got aired at the Supreme Court of the United States this week (Mar. 5). Much of the discussion revolved around the convoluted meanings of words such as “permanent” and “interim” and how long is too … More U.S. nuke waste policy puzzles Supreme Court
It was the best of times, it is the worst of times, it is the winter of despair. Is it the spring of hope for coal? Playing with the famous opening paragraph of the 1859 Charles Dickens masterpiece A Tale of Two Cities lays out the precarious position of coal in the U.S. now and … More Coal’s woes and hopes: A tale of two futures
When it comes to providing the enormous power demands of artificial intelligence-related data centers, is smaller better? So far, most approaches to meeting the AI loads have involved conventional big iron, such as co-locating data centers at existing nuclear and natural gas plants. A contrary view comes from San Diego-based software and engineering company Xendee … More Can microgrids let data centers dodge grid congestion chaos?
By Kennedy Maize Hydrogen – the primary element of the universe – has long had energy mavens looking longingly at its use as a fuel. H2 is plentiful – although not necessarily easily or cheaply produced – and energetic. It is versatile, able to be burned directly in internal combustion engines or to make steam … More Has hydrogen energy had its day?
By Kennedy Maize For decades in the U.S., geothermal energy has been full of promise but short on delivery. With private sector technology developments and an energy secretary who really knows, far more than his boss, what it means to “drill, baby, drill,” the fortunes of that renewable energy source may change. Energy Secretary Chris … More Is geothermal energy the Wright stuff?
By Kennedy Maize Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Mark Christie last week downplayed the significance of President Trump’s new executive order on independent administrative agencies. In a session with reporters following FERC’s February open meeting — his first as FERC chairman — Christie said the order, which he has read twice, is largely business as … More FERC’s Christie reacts to Trump’s independent agency E.O.
By Kennedy Maize Presidential executive orders are not law. They do not override existing law. Yet that is the claim that President Trump and, more specifically Russell Vought, his Office of Management and Budget director, make in a Feb. 18 executive order, “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies.” The order claims that “previous administrations have allowed … More Commentary: Trump’s independent agency power grab
By Kennedy Maize In his first day in office, Jan. 20, among other actions President Trump issued an 11-page executive order that repealed over 70 Biden administration executive orders and presidential memoranda. Many related to Trump hot-button issues such as DEI, Covid restrictions, gender identity, and climate change. Among them was one designed to aid … More Trump’s O&G conundrum: “Drill, baby, drill,” but not off our shores
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a controversial plan to fast-track PJM grid connections for up to 50 new dispatchable gas-fired generators. PJM. the nation’s largest regional transmission organization, says it faces potential shortages as a result of new electricity demand as soon as next year. The order (ER25-712) allows the selected projects to … More FERC approves line-jumping PJM connections