Executive Summary Introduction In a speech addressing the United Auto Workers (UAW) on November 9, 2023, President Biden accused China of being “determined to dominate the electric vehicle market by using unfair trade practices,” and promising to “not let them.” Neither the specifics of China’s “unfair trade practices” nor a strategy to combat them were explained. Biden … Continue reading
Category Archives: Energy
America / Economy / Energy / Environment
Confronting the Concerns Surrounding Green Hydrogen
Introduction Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and has the potential to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize our planet. What makes hydrogen vital is its capability to be a clean, safe and flexible energy carrier. Additionally, when combusted to generate heat or electricity, it produces water. These characteristics make it … Continue reading
Righting the Wrong, Pipeline Edition: The Case Against the Tar Sands of Canada
The Keystone XL pipeline is in the spotlight once again after President Biden revoked the pipeline’s presidential permit by signing an executive order halting the construction of the pipeline that would carry 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Alberta, Canada to Steele City, Nebraska, where it would join an existing pipeline that would transport … Continue reading
China and Latin America: forging new economic ties in United States backyard.
China experienced explosive economic growth in the past few decades that helped it rise to the position of the second-largest economy in the world. It now aims to transform itself from a regional to a global hegemon, effectively challenging the US in its backyard, Latin America. The country’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) facilitated its … Continue reading
Potential Benefits and Costs of US Backed Nuclear Power Plants Abroad
Last month the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced its reversal of a legacy policy that banned the financing of nuclear power projects abroad[1]. The decision, currently in the public notice and comment period, was lauded as a victory by the energy, environmental, and national security spheres[2][3] but raises several concerns around carbon emissions, … Continue reading
America / Communications / Energy / Environment / Politics
Improving Island Resiliency: Incorporating Microgrids as part of the RICANstruction Process.
This might very well be the busiest year of the Atlantic hurricane season, and with two months left the Americas shudder at the thought of what next, who’s next, and when. Three major hurricanes—Harvey, Irma, and most recently Maria—all made landfall roughly one week apart, and caused widespread devastation across several U.S. cities and total … Continue reading
Economy / Energy / Environment / Politics
Why Energy Efficiency is Key to Fulfilling the Paris Goals
Energy efficiency — the ugly ducking in an industry full of shiny solar panels and soaring wind turbines — may be the smart, business friendly path to mitigating climate shifts, regardless of political detours. The Paris Agreement, the most drastic global climate action plan, officially entered into force in early November, confirming 94 countries’ pledges to … Continue reading
Energy is Not a Talking Point – It’s a Critical Resource
One of the final questions of the second presidential debate was perhaps one of the more substantive policy questions asked throughout this chaotic election season. While the rest of the internet has focused on Ken Bone and his striking red sweater, the content of his question was equally striking: “What steps will your energy policy … Continue reading
Why Fracking is Here to Stay
Back in April, Bloomberg infamously predicted that “half of U.S. fracking companies would be dead or sold this year.” Despite continued slumps in oil, the expensive extraction process of fracking has remained and will likely continue to stay for the foreseeable future. Continue reading
Nuclear Waste’s Apathy Tax
Everyone knows littering is bad, but when it comes to 75,000 metric tons of nuclear waste Obama is apathetic. Continue reading
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