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MORNING ENERGY NEWS  |  03/11/2020
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It could have gone a lot worse.


E&E News (3/10/20) reports: "Bipartisan frustration over the lack of a vote on curbing superpolluting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) spilled onto the Senate floor last night, derailing — at least for now — the energy package that was widely expected to pass before the end of the week. In a surprise move, senators voted 47-44 last night on a key procedural vote for the bipartisan energy package, falling short of the 60 votes needed for the bill to advance. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) switched his vote to no so he could push the chamber to revisit the matter. But that's unlikely until there's an agreement to satisfy backers of legislation, S. 2754, to phase down HFCs. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a chief sponsor of the measure, made good on his pledge to block other amendments on the energy bill if he did not receive a vote on his proposal. 'I'm a good Methodist, but on occasion, if you turn the other cheek, you just get it in the neck,' Kennedy said afterward. 'This isn't about the bill anymore to me. This is about honor and respecting your colleagues.' Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the ranking member on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, told reporters after the vote that he was disappointed the broader energy bill was derailed."



"America stands to lose millions of jobs, pay trillions more for energy, forfeit environmental gains and relinquish global leverage. Banning fracking would be a giant step backward."

 

– Jakob Puckett, Show-Me Institute

Shinning some light on big solar's environmental impacts.


Bloomberg (3/10/20) reports: "Solar company Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC was thrilled when Connecticut chose the company to build a large solar project that would help the state meet its clean energy goal. But three years on, the 18-megawatt project is still in the blueprint phase. Local environmental and neighbor groups fear the Waterford, Conn., proposal will lead to runoff and environmental degradation, and are urging regulators to reject it. 'These ill-conceived, quickly installed solar arrays are damaging our landscape,” according to Save the River-Save the Hills Inc., a group devoted to protecting the region’s Niantic River Estuary...The problem is particularly acute in New England, where forests are cleared and hilltops leveled to make way for new solar arrays...Hintzke, the company spokesman, said the soil on hilltops and sides is thinner from years of natural erosion, and when graded for solar arrays, it becomes even more vulnerable. In Connecticut, environmental officials have issued cease and desist orders in recent years to owners of three solar projects that led to adverse water quality impacts, Brunza said in her 2018 comments to the state siting council."

North to the future...of pipelines.


Reuters (3/8/20) reports: "A U.S. energy regulatory report for Alaska Gasline Development Corp’s proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas project found it would provide economic benefits to the state but could cause some significant adverse environmental impacts. In the final environmental impact statement (EIS), issued on Friday, staff at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concluded that most environmental impacts 'would be reduced to less than significant levels with the implementation of proposed or recommended' measures...The EIS is a mandatory step toward gaining federal approval to build and operate the project. FERC is the federal agency responsible for authorizing onshore LNG facilities for the export of natural gas. FERC is scheduled to issue its final order for the project in June. 'The final EIS is a milestone in the Alaska LNG permitting process – a process still with significant hurdles,' Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said in a statement."

At least they're being honest about giving tax dollars to Florida's 1%.


Florida Politics (3/11/20) reports: "The Legislature is expected to pass legislation calling for a study on expanding the state’s electric vehicle charging grid Wednesday. That bill (SB 7018), carried through the Senate by Thonotosassa Republican Sen. Tom Lee, now looks for its final passage in the House before heading to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The measure would also allow the Department of Transportation (FDOT) to construct staging areas for emergency response, adds a “shot clock” for utility infrastructure permits and create cases for utilities to cross rural land while protecting the environment.,,“What this bill tries to start the conversation around is how do we make sure there’s enough charging infrastructure so that if someone wants to drive from Tampa to Tallahassee, there’s enough charging infrastructure there,” he said. Electric vehicles currently make up about 1% of the market, but in a few years, they could be on price parity with traditional cars. States, Reed argues, need to be prepared with charging infrastructure so consumers feel comfortable to buy an electric vehicle." 

Energy Markets

 
WTI Crude Oil: ↓ $33.17
Natural Gas: ↓ $1.91
Gasoline: ↓ $2.34
Diesel: ↓ $2.79
Heating Oil: ↓ $122.81
Brent Crude Oil: ↓ $35.90
US Rig Count: ↓ 807

 
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