Bill Loveless | Energy journalist / Broadcaster / Moderator

U.S. impact after oil exports resume? Jury’s out

December 16, 2015

U.S. oil producers are preparing to celebrate the end of 40 years of restrictions on exports of crude oil, thanks to a provision in a massive government spending bill awaiting congressional approval. With oil prices recently at seven-year lows and showing no signs of recovery soon, domestic producers say the policy change would give them the same access to global markets that their foreign competitors have enjoyed for years. But the benefits may be more hypothetical than certain, at least for now. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Economy / Finance, Energy

Slumping oil: U.S. producers get creative

December 13, 2015

Don’t doubt the ingenuity of U.S. oil producers when it comes to dealing with an epic slump in prices. At a time when U.S. oil production as a whole has been falling, North Dakota’s has been increasing. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Corporations, Energy

Energy industry loses an executive-suite maverick

December 6, 2015

The resignation of David Crane as chief executive of NRG Energy last week illustrates the risks that leaders of U.S. electric-power companies face in a changing industry. Crane stepped down amid a nosedive in the company’s stock, a slump that reflected investor discomfort over his efforts to transform the company from a traditional supplier of electricity to one increasingly focused on rooftop solar systems, electric-vehicle charging and home energy management. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Energy, Government and Politics, International

Iran’s OPEC impact: Wait for it . . .

November 29, 2015

Six months ago, as OPEC prepared for its last meeting, I wrote that the event was likely to be a lull before the storm. At the time, oil prices were enjoying a bounce up, suggesting OPEC’s strategy of pumping more oil, protecting its market share and putting pressure on higher-cost oil in the USA and other countries was paying off. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Defense, Energy, Government and Politics, International

After Paris, new worries over electrical grid attack

November 22, 2015

The potential for a devastating attack on the U.S. electricity grid remains high on the minds of utility and government leaders, especially in light of the deadly terrorist actions in Paris on Nov. 13. Just days after the carnage in the French capital, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) conducted a massive exercise simulating coordinated assaults on the grid in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, one that involved cyber and physical attacks that left millions of people without electricity for an extended period of time. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

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

Electric execs get charge out of tech possibilities

November 16, 2015

Top executives from investor-owned electric utilities across the U.S. gathered in Hollywood, Fla., last week for the annual financial conference held by their trade association, the Edison Electric Institute. They spent hours meeting with analysts, investment bankers and ratings agencies regarding their utilities’ financial returns and the outlook for capital spending, revenue and earnings. That’s the sort of talk that’s characterized the EEI meeting since it began 50 years ago. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Consumer, Corporations, Energy, Utilities and Providers

Stagnant electric demand sparks mega mergers

November 9, 2015

Stagnant demand for electricity in the USA is forcing utilities to look elsewhere for revenue and earnings, prompting a surge in mergers and acquisitions. Recent announcements by Duke Energy and Southern Company illustrate the trend, which is likely to continue for some time, according to analysts, including the accounting firm EY, previously known as Ernst & Young. (Read More)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Energy, Government and Politics, International

U.S.-Cuba oil drill deals ahead? Maybe

November 2, 2015

Given the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, can American companies participate in that country’s plans to resume drilling for offshore oil? That question came up frequently at a recent conference in Havana of U.S. and Cuban government and business interests, and for some participating in the event, the answer is: Yes, probably. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Government and Politics, International, Utilities and Providers

U.S., Cuba eye offshore drilling possibilities

October 26, 2015

HAVANA — The thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations is raising prospects for new business opportunities for American companies in the island nation, among them energy. That was evident this past week in Havana, where more than 120 people from the U.S., Cuba and other countries gathered for a cutting-edge conference on offshore oil development. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

Article, Energy

Nuclear’s future uncertain as natural gas surges

October 18, 2015

Prospects for a nuclear renaissance in the U.S. suffered another blow last week with the announcement by Entergy that it will shut down its Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass., by 2019. The New Orleans-based company blamed competition from low-price natural gas as well as state and regional policies that favor gas and renewable energy as the main reasons for its decision to pull the plug on a 680-megawatt plant that can power more than 600,000 homes. (Read more)

by Bill Loveless

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About Bill Loveless

U.S. impact after oil exports resume? Jury’s out

Slumping oil: U.S. producers get creative

Energy industry loses an executive-suite maverick

Iran’s OPEC impact: Wait for it . . .

After Paris, new worries over electrical grid attack

Electric execs get charge out of tech possibilities

Stagnant electric demand sparks mega mergers

U.S.-Cuba oil drill deals ahead? Maybe

U.S., Cuba eye offshore drilling possibilities

Nuclear’s future uncertain as natural gas surges

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