Bill Loveless | Energy journalist / Broadcaster / Moderator

Article, Corporations, Defense, Government and Politics, Policy, Regulations, Utilities and Providers

Army heeds Obama call, attacks high energy bills

August 14, 2016

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is generally considered to be one of the most practical ways that a property owner can cut the cost of lighting, heating and cooling. Now, the U.S. Army is demonstrating in spades the pragmatism of such moves as it surpasses the $1 billion mark in responding to a 2014 challenge by President Obama to all federal agencies to achieve $4 billion in energy savings performance contracts by December. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Corporations, Economy / Finance, Energy, Organizations

‘World’s energy superpower’ fights OPEC obsession

August 10, 2016

Although OPEC’s influence over world oil prices has declined in recent years, the mere mention of a meeting by the cartel’s member countries is still enough to trigger speculation and move the market. We saw that Monday when oil prices jumped 3% in New York after news broke that OPEC planned to assemble unofficially in Algeria in September in response to the latest setback in the market. (Read more.)

by Bill Loveless

Consumer, Corporations, Energy, Podcast, Utilities and Providers

Columbia Energy Exchange: Exelon’s Chris Crane

August 9, 2016

Electric power companies across the U.S. are going through a period of unprecedented change. Low-cost natural gas, new technology, rapid expansion of renewables, and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions are some of the major factors shaking up the electricity sector. Moreover, for some power companies, keeping their nuclear power plants alive is another big challenge. On this episode of Columbia Energy Exchange, we welcome Chris Crane, the president and CEO of Exelon Corp., a Fortune 100 energy company with the most utility customers in the U.S., and the nation’s leading operator of nuclear reactors. Crane talks with host Bill Loveless about the ways in which he is piloting his company through this transformation. And on a timely note, they discuss a new clean energy standard in New York that would keep some nuclear power plants alive. (Listen here)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Corporations, Economy / Finance, Technology

Green energy growth fuels an urge to merge

August 7, 2016

The planned marriage of Tesla Motors and SolarCity is causing a stir in energy markets, with two of the most innovative companies in electric cars and solar energy aiming to take a commanding lead in green energy in the U.S. But the combination is just one of many big deals that signal a banner year for mergers and acquisitions in the North American electric and natural gas markets, driven by fundamental changes in those industries. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Climate, Energy

Nuclear power gets a boost in New York

August 2, 2016

The struggling U.S. nuclear industry enjoyed a boost this week as New York regulators agreed to a clean energy standard that puts reactors on the same footing as solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy. But only time will tell if it marks the start of a trend. The decision by the New York Public Service Commission will require the state to meet half of its electricity needs with “renewable sources” by 2030, including three nuclear power plants at risk of shutting down, as part of a strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by that year. (Read More)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Corporations, Economy / Finance, Energy

Oil’s slide: Some lenders are bearing up

August 1, 2016

The two-year-old slump in oil prices continues to take its toll on producers, with no end in sight. And that pain extends to the regional banks that cater to the oil patch. But some banks insist that the difficulties aren’t as bad as they may seem. Among them is BOK Financial, a Tulsa-based bank that’s been lending to producers for 100 years. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Climate, Consumer, Energy, People, Weather

Heat is on, but the power grid is holding

July 26, 2016

The retirement of coal and nuclear power plants in the U.S. over the last few years has raised concerns that the electric power industry might fail to deliver when demand for power heightens — such as during a blistering heat wave. But for the most part, that’s not the case this week as a so-called “heat dome” leaves the eastern and central parts of the U.S. sweltering with temperatures of 95 degrees or more and feeling as though it’s much hotter. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Consumer, Economy / Finance, Energy, Technology, Utilities and Providers

Rooftop solar poses credit risk for utilities

July 25, 2016

When it comes to creditworthiness, electric utilities generally enjoy investment-grade ratings that make financing easier for these capital-intensive companies. But the popularity of residential rooftop solar systems is threatening to eventually put those favorable ratings at risk. So warns Fitch, one of the three major ratings agencies. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Energy, Government and Politics

Trump’s ‘king of energy’ gets GOP stage

July 19, 2016

Energy isn’t a marquee event at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. But the topic will have its moment in the spotlight Wednesday night when the man dubbed the “king of energy” by Donald Trump will take to the podium at Quicken Loans Arena. Harold Hamm, who like Trump has made billions of dollars in his career, sees the candidate as someone who will rally behind independent oil and gas producers such as himself as they try to regain their footing in a glutted market. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Corporations, Economy / Finance, Organizations, Technology, Utilities and Providers

Green energy funding falls from 2015’s record levels

July 17, 2016

The year 2015 is turning out to be a tough act to follow for new investments in clean energy in the U.S. and around the world. A report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance reveals that financing for solar, wind and other alternatives to fossil fuels in 2016 is down substantially from last year, when a record $348.5 billion was dedicated to projects. (Read More)

by Bill Loveless

Democrats' blueprint for action on climate change

Building coalitions for energy stimulus

On climate, Denmark looks past its size to address crisis

Coal communities face fiscal ruin

Whither the Green New Deal?

About Bill Loveless

Army heeds Obama call, attacks high energy bills

‘World’s energy superpower’ fights OPEC obsession

Columbia Energy Exchange: Exelon’s Chris Crane

Green energy growth fuels an urge to merge

Nuclear power gets a boost in New York

Oil’s slide: Some lenders are bearing up

Heat is on, but the power grid is holding

Rooftop solar poses credit risk for utilities

Trump’s ‘king of energy’ gets GOP stage

Green energy funding falls from 2015’s record levels

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