Imran Khan’s First Test: Pakistan’s Troubled Economy
Mr. Khan has promised to improve the country’s economic fortunes, but Pakistan is torn between two financial powers: China and the International Monetary Fund.
U.S. coal shipments reach their lowest levels in years
(Fri, 03 Aug 2018) The 661 million short tons (MMst) of coal consumed in the electric power sector in 2017 was the lowest amount of coal consumed since 1983, and 2017 was the fourth consecutive year that U.S. coal consumption and coal shipments by all transport modes declined. Nearly 70% of the coal consumed in the power sector in 2017 was shipped either completely or in part by rail, with the remainder shipped by river barge, truck, and other methods.
Trump’s Inaccurate Claims About Highways, Immigration and Beyoncé From a Pennsylvania Rally
President Trump said his campaign rallies drew larger crowds than concerts for Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Bruce Springsteen. That was one of 15 inaccurate claims he made.
Summer natural gas price spreads between Henry Hub and Appalachian region have narrowed
(Thu, 02 Aug 2018) Over the past decade, natural gas production in the Appalachian region has grown faster than capacity to move the gas into U.S. markets, pushing down local prices. More recently, pipeline infrastructure from Appalachia has increased capacity to deliver Appalachian natural gas to regional market, increasing relative spot prices at Appalachian hubs, and narrowing their price spreads relative to the U.S. natural gas price benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana.
China’s Plan to Win Friends and Influence Includes Ski Slopes and Spas
The Belt and Road Initiative is widely seen as a push to develop geopolitical ties through infrastructure and ports. Companies are using it for more frivolous projects, too.
U.S. fuel ethanol production capacity continues to increase
(Wed, 01 Aug 2018) Fuel ethanol production capacity in the United States reached more than 16 billion gallons per year, or 1.06 million barrels per day (b/d), at the beginning of 2018, according to EIA's most recent U.S. Fuel Ethanol Plant Production Capacity report. Total listed, or nameplate capacity, of operable ethanol plants increased by 5%âmore than 700 million gallons per yearâbetween January 2017 and January 2018.
Electricity Reliability Council of Texas surpassed all-time peak hourly load in July
(Tue, 31 Jul 2018) On July 18, 2018, electricity demand in the area served by the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reached a new all-time hourly peak load of 72,192 megawatts (MW) during the hour starting at 4:00 p.m. That record was itself surpassed the following day during the hour starting at 5:00 p.m., with load reaching 73,259 MW. The previous record of 71,111 MW occurred on August 11, 2016. Despite some sporadic power outages, ERCOT managed this new record demand without any widespread loss of load to the system.
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Beef, Pork and Poultry Salad and Wrap Products due to Concerns about Contamination with Cyclospora
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert out of an abundance of caution due to concerns about contamination with Cyclospora.
Ahead of Asia Trip, Business Lobby Gives Pompeo an Earful on Trade War
As Asian nations move away from the United States and its trade war with China, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce warned of fallout for American firms.
In 2016, U.S. energy expenditures per unit GDP were the lowest since at least 1970
(Mon, 30 Jul 2018) U.S. energy expenditures declined for the fifth consecutive year, reaching $1.0 trillion in 2016, a 9% decrease in real terms from 2015. Adjusted for inflation, total energy expenditures in 2016 were the lowest since 2003. Expressed as a percent of gross domestic product (GDP), total energy expenditures were 5.6% in 2016, the lowest since at least 1970.