Executive Summary Introduction On May 18th, 2022, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched the REPowerEU Plan, which was intended to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels as quickly as possible. Her argument was that Europe could not keep relying on a supplier it no longer trusted, and that the solution was to diversify its energy supply and speed up the shift … Continue reading
On September 19, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved a bill renewing California’s cap-and-trade program until 2045. This renewal comes despite hostility toward state-level clean energy programs from the Trump administration, notably President Trump’s executive order that specifically criticized California’s cap-and-trade program. Continue reading
Insurance companies are reacting to the increase in climate change-related natural disasters by raising premiums and withdrawing coverage from high-risk areas. Continue reading
Note this post was written on June 17, 2025 and does not reflect subsequent events. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION High oil prices are top of mind these days for good reason. Brent oil prices have spiked more than 12% from $64 per barrel at the beginning of June to $72—mostly on fears of a Strait of … Continue reading
Executive Summary: Introduction: The growth of AI and data centers is driving an accelerating rise in energy consumption, posing a serious challenge to global sustainability goals and prompting a shift towards sustainable energy alternatives. For example, a 2024 Google report noted a 48 percent increase in the company’s emissions compared to 2019, a significant barrier … Continue reading
The solar industry boasted huge job growth last year, mostly due to the increase in solar installations on homes and businesses. Rooftop solar is growing across the U.S., and so are confrontations between traditional utility providers and the solar industry. The controversy centers on net metering (the technical term that describes how large utility companies … Continue reading
With much of the current energy conversation surrounding the Keystone XL Pipeline, many Americans have forgotten, or may not even know, about another energy issue that might just be more important: the crude oil export ban. Since the 1970’s, the U.S. government has prohibited U.S. oil producers to export crude oil internationally in order to … Continue reading
A year ago, after the overthrow of Ukraine’s president and the ensuing crisis, industry leaders in the U.S. pushed to change regulations that prevent liquid natural gas (LNG) exports. If Ukraine had truly wanted to break free from Russian influence, it would have had to eliminate its dependence on Russian gas. However, during that critical … Continue reading
It must be frustrating for President Obama when his policies make no one happy. Recently the administration announced plans to regulate methane emissions, and while the oil and gas industry grumbled about new regulations and added costs, environmental groups complained the new measures don’t go far enough. Is it possible for policymakers to appease environmental … Continue reading
OPEC’s refusal to cut crude oil production is like a declaration of war on the United States’ energy industry. Amidst falling oil prices, policymakers have largely stayed out of the fray, leaving U.S. shale oil producers locked in a price war while the public enjoys lower gas prices. However, with the price of oil hovering … Continue reading
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