| Also Noted: Meru Networks
5 trends shaping big data's future and much more... The Social Cost of Carbon: Trillions of dollars
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses several computer models to determine the "Social Cost of Carbon" -- the calculation the agency uses to justify regulations to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the Heritage Foundation's Center for Data Analysis claims that the EPA's models are "entirely unsuited for real-world policy application." Article
Latest Cape Wind lawsuit unconstitutional
A lawsuit challenging Cape Wind's power purchase agreement (PPA) with NSTAR, for the energy generated by the nation's first offshore wind farm, has been dismissed by District Court Federal Judge Richard Stearns on the basis that the lawsuit violates the 11th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States -- the amendment that gives states immunity from being sued for past actions in Federal Court. Article
News From Across the Energy Industry:
1. Energy efficiency a cheap path to CO2 compliance
2. $1B Energy Strong settlement reached
3. Energy independence hinges on closing gas infrastructure gap
More headlines...
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Today's Top News 1. Fracking implications for utilities
In addition to more stringent state laws, water and sewer utilities must comply with federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water regulations -- for example, requirements for the disclosure of chemicals injected into the ground during the fracking process -- and would, ultimately, bear much of the financial burden if hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations lead to contamination of a water supply, according to Fitch Ratings. Oil and gas companies must disclose the chemicals used for fracking to comply with state regulations; utilities are subject to federal disclosure laws that allow companies to claim trade-secrets exemption. As water utilities are ultimately responsible for complying with EPA regulations for monitoring, treating and delivering water that is safe for public consumption, they would bear much of the financial, operational and regulatory burden of safeguarding water that could potentially be contaminated by fracking operations, Fitch contends. In this situation, Fitch expects a serious blow to utility revenues, with losses concurrent with other growing direct and indirect costs, leading to debt service coverage reductions, liquidity strains and the potential need for additional leverage. For more:
- see this report Related Articles:
What worries energy execs most?
Fracturing and drilling companies "owe" investors disclosure Read more about: hydraulic fracturing
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2. Coal alliance urges alternative to proposed emission standards
New proposed emission standards that would affect coal-fired power plants standards would result in severe economic consequences, and the technology required to meet these standards has not been proven to reduce carbon emissions, the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance told the Environmental Protection Agency in a recent filing.  | | Credit: Arnold Paul/Wikimedia Commons | The alliance says that the EPA's proposed regulations are unachievable with current technology and that the standards would require coal-fired power plants to adopt carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology, the effectiveness of which has not yet been substantially proven. Consequently, the alliance contends that the proposed standards do not comply with statutory requirements and exceed the EPA's authority under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act. CCS technology is also significantly more expensive than technology currently in use, and would increase wholesale electricity prices by 70 to 80 percent, according to a Department of Energy deputy assistant secretary. Further, the technology introduces several significant environmental and liability risks, according to the alliance, which outweigh the benefits of reduced carbon emissions that could be achievable with CCS. In its filing, the Alliance urged the EPA to consider the negative effects of its proposed regulations and suggested an alternative to the proposed standards. "Just like regulators worked with the automobile industry to develop stricter mileage standards in cars, the EPA should work with energy stakeholders to come to a more collaborative solution that protects jobs and the environment," Alliance CEO John Pippy said. The filing makes sure to point out that the coal industry supports more than 100,000 jobs and more than 2.1 million jobs in related industries, contributing nearly $250 billion to the U.S. economy. The alliance also noted that coal is the leading source of domestic electricity generation nationally and in Pennsylvania, where it accounts for roughly 40 percent of the state's annual electricity output. For more:
- see the filing Related Articles:
Coal: More upside than down
CATF claims "common sense" proposal to carbon pollution rule
More fallout from re-proposed NSPS Read more about: Clean Air Act
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3. PHI recognized for energy efficiency programs
Pepco and Delmarva Power, both Pepco Holdings Inc. (PHI) companies, have been named 2014 Energy Star Partner of the Year winners by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing energy efficiency programs, information and services to its customers. In 2013, American families and businesses have saved $297 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 2.1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, according to Energy Star. In part, the companies were recognized for their residential energy efficiency programs, which support the EmPOWER Maryland goal of reducing statewide energy consumption 15 percent by 2015. "Through our suite of residential energy efficiency programs -- Lighting Program, Appliance Rebate, Appliance Recycling, HVAC Efficiency, Quick Home Energy Check-up and Home Performance with ENERGY STAR -- we are helping our customers save money and energy, lower energy costs and learn more about energy efficiency, while simultaneously addressing climate change," said Hallie Reese, vice president of customer care, PHI. The companies' residential programs include lighting programs offering instant in-store discounts at participating retailers on certain Energy Star-certified CFL bulbs, LED bulbs and lighting fixtures. Some programs offer rebates for purchasing Energy Star appliances, upgrading to a high-efficiency cooling system (air conditioner or heat pump), getting a performance tune-up of existing HVAC equipment by a participating contractor, scheduling a home energy assessment, building Energy Star-certified new homes and recycling old refrigerators or freezers. For more:
- see this report Related Article:
PHI's revenue generator Read more about: Pepco Holdings Inc.
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4. Oneok natural gas pipeline project scrapped
Midwestern Gas Transmission Company, a subsidiary of Oneok Partners, has withdrawn its application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to enter into the pre-filing process for its proposed development of an approximately 15-mile natural gas pipeline lateral in Ohio and Muhlenberg Counties in Kentucky.  | | Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Midwestern Gas Transmission, which owns an approximately 400-mile natural gas pipeline that provides bidirectional natural gas services to markets in Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, southern Illinois and the Chicago market hub, was unable to reach an agreement with its customer. The proposed natural gas pipeline lateral would have connected Midwestern Gas Transmission's existing natural gas transmission pipeline to a new high-efficiency, natural gas-fired electric-power generation plant being constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) at its Paradise plant site with an estimated maximum natural gas flow of 227,000 dekatherms per day. The natural gas pipeline lateral was subject to the execution of a precedent agreement with the TVA. Construction was supposed to begin in September 2015 and in service a year later in September of 2016. Despite this development, Midwestern Gas Transmission continues to evaluate expansions to increase natural gas throughput on its system. For more:
- see this notice Read more about: Tennessee Valley Authority, natural gas pipeline
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5. Wind future positive for Africa, Russia
While growth rates in wind power in the developed world have plateaued or fallen, developing economies are expected to see robust growth in the coming years, Navigant Research predicts. Historically, regions like Africa and Russia have not been mainstream wind power markets, but with strong political support, expected rising electricity demand from rapid economic growth, and demand for energy diversification, the outlook for wind power development is positive.  | | Darling National Wind Farm in Cape Town, South Africa. Credit: Warren Rohner/Wikimedia Commons | Since Africa and the former Soviet Union are linking economic growth to a sustainable and green pathway, wind power potential in these regions is promising. If most wind plants under construction with planned commissioning go online as scheduled, wind power capacity will grow from 463.5 MW in 2013 to 3.4 GW annually by 2023 in 10 emerging markets in Africa and the former Soviet Union, according to Navigant. South Africa and Russia, despite government requirements for a substantial proportion of technology spending in local markets in return for preferential market share, have been bright spots for wind power investment, according to the report. Although the countries from the former Soviet Union tend to be rich in fossil fuel resources, many have released renewable energy targets to reduce their reliance on oil, gas, and coal, as well as their exposure to fluctuating global energy markets. "While growth in established markets has slowed in recent years, demand for wind power in Africa and the former Soviet Union, as well as developing countries in Asia Pacific, is growing," said Feng Zhao, research director with Navigant Research. "The opportunities arising in these regions will… [make] wind power one of the main energy sources in the global context." For more:
- see this report Related Articles:
Underserved wind markets to pick up
Report: Economic, resource wealth do not guarantee energy system success Read more about: Feng Zhao
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News From Across the Energy Industry:
> Oil and gas deal activity high but losing value Post
> Hawaiian PUC orders state utilities to take action Post
> More customers want energy efficiency services Post
> EEI announces Edison Award nominations Post
> Court supports EFH continuation of operations after bankruptcy filing Post
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