Is there a clean energy standard in our future?
The Huffington Post
Americans want it, but how much will it cost? Just because Congress is unlikely to pass a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade bill anytime soon does not mean the United States can't work on lowering its greenhouse gas emissions. It turns out there's more than one way for America to skin that carbon cat.It starts by splitting the problem into two parts. Turns out about 60 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from two sources: transportation (27 percent) and electricity generation (34 percent). If the federal government can figure out how to lower emissions from those two sources through regulations and standards, we'll have gone a long way to licking the problem.
Crosstex Energy LP stock getting very oversold
Forbes
In trading on Thursday, shares of Crosstex Energy LP (NASD: XTEX) entered into oversold territory, changing hands as low as $15.03 per share. We define oversold territory using the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, which is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum on a scale of zero to 100. A stock is considered to be oversold if the RSI reading falls below 30. In the case of Crosstex Energy LP, the RSI reading has hit 26.6 -- by comparison, the universe of energy stocks covered by Energy Stock Channel currently has an average RSI of 34.9, the RSI of WTI Crude Oil is at 20.2, and the RSI of Henry Hub Natural Gas is presently 68.6.
Montgomery approves budget, extends energy tax increase
The Washington Post
Montgomery County officials voted Thursday to increase property taxes and parking rates and to extend an unpopular energy tax increase while bolstering social programs, issuing bonuses to county workers and creating a $150,000-a-year senior government position. The County Council increased agency spending by about 6 percent from last year. But it had expected $135 million more and closed the gap by keeping nearly all of the energy tax increase and slashing an expected contribution to retiree health benefits. It also reduced government debt for construction projects by $140 million over six years. The council is expected to formalize the vote May 24.
Shell Kulluk Air permit contested by environmental groups
The Huffington Post
Environmental and Alaska Native groups on Wednesday appealed an air permit granted by the Environmental Protection Agency to a Shell Oil drilling ship that could be used this summer in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska's northern shore. The groups claim the Kulluk and support vessels will put harmful pollutants into the skies, adding problems to a region already beset by climate warming, and that the EPA granted the permit without consideration of all national environmental laws and regulations. "EPA did not analyze whether the Kulluk will comply with all standards, and they relied on modeling tricks to reduce the measured impact." Earthjustice attorney Colin O'Brien said. The eight groups asked the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to intervene and send the permit back to the EPA for reconsideration.
With Sales imminent, ethanol blend's impact on engine durability remains contentious
The New York Times
A new engine-durability study that found damage in engines run on gasoline with 15-percent ethanol content proved one of two things: either the Environmental Protection Agency was hasty in authorizing the sale of the fuel blend or the study's authors produced "junk science," in the words of one critic. Either way, the report (PDF), released on Wednesday, was not likely to assuage questions among consumers as to whether the fuel, expected to appear imminently at gas pumps, was entirely safe to use. E15 represents a ratcheting up of the ethanol content in the standard pump gasoline formulation, known as E10. Automakers and some consumers contend that a formulation with 15 percent ethanol would harm engines, especially those of older cars.
What students can teach congress about 'environmental responsibility'
Bloomberg
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, a Republican from Tennessee, gave his daughter some reasonable advice as she finishes up a program in environmental management at Duke University: "Don't use that word with a lot of people," he said. "They won't know what you're talking about." The word he was talking about is "sustainability," and while the Senator's observation is correct, so was his daughter's response: Well, they know what it means at the university, and corporate executives do, too. It's a global company's long-term strategy to thrive amid unprecedented change in population growth, middle-class consumption and resource availability. Sustainability executives from Intel Corp., Procter & Gamble Co., Eastman Chemical Co. and FedEx Corp. brought that expertise to Capitol Hill Wednesday, at the request of a Senate subcommittee that oversees "children's health and environmental responsibility."
First oil on Seaway line to flow to US Gulf this weekend
Reuters
The first crude oil was expected to flow on the reversed Seaway pipeline this weekend, partners Enterprise Products and Enbridge Inc said on Thu rsday, a historic move to ease a Midwest oil glut and bring depressed North American crude prices closer to world market levels. The startup skidded two or three days from the target of Thursday for restart of the 500-mile (805-km), 30-inch (76-cm) pipeline, which initially will deliver 150,000 barrels per day from the Cushing, Oklahoma, trading and storage hub to Houston in the heart of the main U.S. refining center. The reversed pipeline is perhaps the clearest illustration to date of how the domestic boom in production of U.S. shale oil and Canadian heavy oil has upended infrastructure needs and spurred a series of high-profile expansions.
Infrastructure updates a costly burden for cities
Springfield News-Sun
Water lines buried decades ago beneath Urbana's streets are breaking apart more frequently, forcing city officials to develop a plan to replace miles of infrastructure.
The replacement program will likely mean higher water rates for residents and businesses over time. But city officials said the lines are crucial for everything from public health to fire protection and the city's economy. Some of the lines were set underground as much as 100 years ago and are at the end of their useful life.
Urbana is not the only city facing aging water infrastructure. According to a report from the American Water Works Association, replacing existing systems and expanding to account for a growing population will cost about $1 trillion nationwide during the next 25 years.
Energy infrastructure global to launch new HQ in New Jersey
Utility Products
US renewable energy infrastructure and alternative energy solutions provider Energy Infrastructure Global Inc. today said it had decided to open its new headquarters in the US state of New Jersey. Having an office in New Jersey is to enable the company to take advantage of different renewable energy markets globally, CEO Kim Bryan said. The company has offices in the US, Australia, and the Federal States of Micronesia. It provides turn key solutions in the renewable energy and energy infrastructure sectors, including programme management, energy efficiency, alternative energy solutions, electrical and lighting solutions, building envelope, environmental solutions, and operations and maintenance.
Md. Transportation Authority, Carroll Co. ran afoul of open meetings laws
The Baltimore Sun
Members of the Maryland Transportation Authority met without giving proper notice. Carroll County commissioners charged admission to a forum held by opponents of Gov.Martin O'Malley's statewide growth plan. Those open meeting violations were the first issued this year by the state's oversight panel on public access to government proceedings, as listed in the Maryland Register. The issues were all raised by members of the public. Though the findings do not carry any penalty, people can sue in civil court and allege a violation. Previous violations have led to government actions being struck down. he Open Meetings Compliance Board ruled that the authority, which manages the Bay Bridge, the Harbor Tunnel and other state toll facilities, broke the rules in several ways.
Fleet Management Finesse: Rebuild, repair or replace?
American Infrastructure magazine
Construction makes the real world happen, and equipment is the backbone that holds the industry up. In order for the industry to work smoothly, equipment must run efficiently, which means staying on top of your fleet and managing it effectively. Equipment management is a five-step process. The equipment management cycle starts with the selection and purchase of the equipment. From there, fleet managers must deal with the operation and maintenance until finally machine replacement must be handled. Information is so important in fleet management. The right metrics help managers identify problems and give us the right questions to ask to get to the root of major issues in your business. Don't let the numbers run your fleet; let the numbers tell you what questions to ask.
American Water announces 2012 environmental grant award recipients
Market Watch
American Water, the nation's largest publicly traded water and wastewater utility company, announced today the recipients of the company's 2012 Environmental Grant Program awards. A total of 48 projects throughout American Water's service areas in ten states will be supported by grants totaling more than $180,000. Established in 2005, American Water's Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies in the communities it serves. "Every individual and community has the ability to positively impact our environment - and these projects bring us one step closer to help achieve that," said Debra Vernon, Manager of Corporate Responsibility.
Council approves raising wastewater rates
Patch
The Scotts Valley Water District plans to raise residents' wastewater fees five percent per year for four years beginning July 1. The Scotts Valley City Council did a first reading of the proposal at its meeting Wednesday, and held a public hearing that drew zero residents. The Water District's rates have not changed since 1995 and are being raised to make up a $149,721 projected deficit in the 2012-13 wastewater operations budget, according to Scotts Valley City Manager Steve Ando. "With the decreases in [water usage] and downturn in the economy, revenues are down," he said. "But with Bay Photo moving in and some new developments being built we expect those to pick up."
Milwaukie City Council approves wastewater agreement with Clackamas County
Oregon Live
The Milwaukie City Council unanimously approved a wastewater agreement with Clackamas County, ending years of contentious negotiating.
Milwaukie will buy sewer services from the Clackamas County Service District 1 at its wholesale rate for the next 25 years. The specific amounts homeowners and business will pay for service is not part of the agreement. Milwaukie nows buys wastewater services for $26 per equivalent dwelling unit. It may not exceed $30.25 per dwelling unit under the new agreement.
