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Article, Climate, Corporations, Energy

Vermont solar plan brightens green energy hopes

September 24, 2015

Once a leading producer of marble in the world, Rutland, Vt., is embracing a new reputation as the “Solar Capital of New England.” Festivities set for Tuesday will commemorate the designation, which may seem modest in comparison to Rutland’s industrial past. But for this city of 16,500, it illustrates a significant movement from old-style ways of providing electricity and perhaps a model for the rest of the U.S. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Corporations, Energy

A Lone Star leader in solar

September 21, 2015

Doyle Beneby is a leader among U.S. utility executives when it comes to promoting solar energy, and he has the bruises to show for it. As the chief executive of CPS Energy in San Antonio since 2010, Beneby has made solar a priority for generating electricity and new jobs in Texas’ second largest city. (Read More)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Economy / Finance, Energy, Government and Politics

Cuts in oil industry could get worse

September 8, 2015

The plunge in energy prices has forced companies drilling for oil and natural gas in the U.S. to cut spending substantially and lay off thousands of workers in Texas, North Dakota and other states that depend on the industry. And those companies will likely pull back even more if the banks they rely on for loans tighten their purse strings in anticipation of a slow recovery for oil prices. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Consumer, Energy

Natural Gas: U.S. producing more than ever

September 2, 2015

The U.S. is producing more natural gas than ever in 2015, despite low prices that make it increasingly difficult for companies to spend money on drilling. In fact, the government’s Energy Information Administration forecasts a 5.4% increase in output this year compared to 2014. But new numbers from EIA suggest some trouble just ahead for gas production, especially in the resource-rich shale formations that have given rise to a U.S. renaissance in oil and gas production. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Corporations, Energy, Utilities and Providers

Ex-Duke CEO: Here’s how to power the world

August 28, 2015

Jim Rogers spent 25 years as the chief executive of electric and natural gas utilities in the U.S., the last seven as head of Duke Energy, the biggest electric power company in the country. Now, in his retirement from the energy business, Rogers has taken on a new mission: Bringing electricity to the 1.2 billion people in the world who live without it. (Read More)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Economy / Finance, Energy

Oil woes? Not in North Dakota

August 19, 2015

An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated North Dakota’s recently-set monthly record for natural gas production. The state produced 1.6 billion cubic feet a day in June. North Dakota is holding its own when it comes to producing oil, despite the stubborn slump in oil prices and predictions that the U.S. shale boom is about to fade. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Energy, Government and Politics, International

Iran deal no quick windfall for oil companies

August 10, 2015

The nuclear agreement between Tehran and western powers promises to unleash an enormous wave of new investment opportunities in Iran for foreign companies, including oil producers. But closing deals to help Iran revive its oil sector won’t be as easy as it may seem, cautions a former member of the Obama administration team who participated in the nuclear talks. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Economy / Finance, Energy

Amid oil downturn, silver lining for shale producers?

August 3, 2015

The slump in oil prices is more than a year old now, with bad news continuing for producers around the world, including those responsible for the shale revolution in the U.S. Just look at second-quarter earnings, which largely show disappointing results again for oil companies and their shareholders. But while there may be no end in sight for the industry’s dilemma, there may be a silver lining for producers, especially those using the downturn to hone drilling techniques, like hydraulic fracturing, to reinforce their output and profits later. (Read More)

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by Bill Loveless
Article, Defense, Energy, Government and Politics

Ex-Obama aide: Energy strategy falls short

July 26, 2015

With its newfound abundance of oil and natural gas, the U.S. is producing enough to meet most of its own needs and supply some to other nations. So, why hasn’t Washington done more to promote exports of oil and gas to Europe, Asia and other regions and taken other steps to bolster energy security around the world?James Jones, a former national security adviser to President Obama, raised that question the other day before a business audience in Washington, and laid much of the blame on his ex-boss. (Read more)

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by Bill Loveless