The Week in Tech: Inequality Rising
Why the week’s most important technology story involved the tragic slaying of a young woman at a train station in San Francisco’s East Bay.
U.S. distillate fuel inventories are low for this time of year
(Fri, 27 Jul 2018) Inventories of distillate fuel, a category that includes both diesel and home heating oil, were 117.7 million barrels at the end of June, the lowest end-of-June level since 2004. Distillate inventories have generally been lower than the previous five-year (2013–2017) average throughout 2018. Relatively low inventory levels reflect growth in distillate consumption during 2018 that has not been fully offset by increased domestic refinery production or by lower net exports of distillate.
As a Dam Rises in Ethiopia, Its Manager Is Found Dead
The man overseeing an ambitious $4 billion dam project was found dead in Ethiopia’s capital early Thursday. The police said he had been shot in the head.
EIAâs Short-Term Energy Outlook adds natural gas and hydrocarbon gas liquids charts
(Thu, 26 Jul 2018) EIAâs <em>Short-Term Energy Outlook</em> (STEO) revised its standard set of figures in its July 2018 publication. To provide more clarity on changing natural gas and hydrocarbon gas liquids (HGL) markets, two new natural gas figures and four new HGL figures are now included with the monthly forecast. Many of the figures previously included in STEO have been redesigned.
Chinaâs projected energy consumption mainly depends on its overall growth rate
(Wed, 25 Jul 2018) As the worldâs top producer of energy-intensive goods, Chinaâs energy consumption is tied to both its rate of economic growth and the size of its energy-intensive manufacturing industries. Chinese policy goals call for a move away from heavy industry toward a less energy-intensive economy with a greater focus on service industries.
The $3 Billion Plan to Turn Hoover Dam Into a Giant Battery
Engineers want to turn the dam into a vast reservoir of excess electricity from the solar farms and wind turbines that represent the power sources of the future.
EIAâs latest International Energy Outlook highlights analysis of China, India, and Africa
(Tue, 24 Jul 2018) China, India, and Africa are three of the most populated parts of the world. Their economies collectively consume about one-third of all global energy, and their energy consumption is projected to grow faster than the rest of the world through 2040. As a result, changes in these economies have significant implications for global energy markets.
Air conditioning accounts for about 12% of U.S. home energy expenditures
(Mon, 23 Jul 2018) Air-conditioning equipment is used in 87% of homes in the United States and, according to the latest EIA Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), home air-conditioning costs averaged $265 in 2015, or 12% of total home energy expenditures. Air-conditioning costs ranged from an average of $525 in the hot-humid region in the Southeast to about $60 in the temperate marine region along the West Coast. The more moderate mixed-humid region, where home air-conditioning costs averaged $262, was closest to the national average.
A New Battle for Guadalcanal, This Time With China
The Solomon Islands, a linchpin in the Australian-American alliance, has become the stage for a new strategic competition with China.
FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Products Containing FDA-Regulated Whey Powder That Has Been Recalled Due To Possible Salmonella Contamination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns that products may be contaminated with Salmonella from whey powder that has been recalled by the producer of the ingredient.