Pave Over the Subway? Cities Face Tough Bets on Driverless Cars
Transit advocates fear that unrealistic hopes for new technology — and how soon it’ll get here — could lead cities down the wrong path.
Major utilities continue to increase spending on U.S. electric distribution systems
(Fri, 20 Jul 2018) Spending on electricity distribution systems by major U.S. electric utilities—representing about 70% of total U.S. electric load—has risen 54% over the past two decades, from $31 billion to $51 billion annually. This increase has been largely driven by increases in capital investment. From 1996 to 2017, annual capital investment by these utilities for electric distribution systems nearly doubled, which was similar to increases in transmission investment over the same time period.
FSIS Working with Federal Partners to Address Salmonella Outbreak
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is continuing to work with its federal partners to monitor a Salmonella Reading outbreak that may be associated with raw turkey products.
Crossover utility vehicles overtake cars as the most popular light-duty vehicle type
(Thu, 19 Jul 2018) Trends in the sales shares of new light-duty vehicles by vehicle type have continued as the crossover utility vehicle (CUV) share of light-duty vehicles has increased, largely at the expense of cars, despite increases in gasoline prices over the previous two years. In each month since September 2017, sales of CUVs have exceeded those of cars, a class that includes sedans, hatchbacks, and sports cars.
Permian region natural gas prices fall as production continues to grow
(Wed, 18 Jul 2018) The natural gas spot price spread between the Permian Basin, as priced at the Waha Hub in western Texas, and the U.S. national benchmark Henry Hub in Louisiana has grown considerably in the past year. Natural gas prices at Waha are nearly a dollar per million British thermal units (MMBtu) lower than Henry Hub prices. This spread widened as the ability to transport the increased natural gas production in the Permian Basin in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico was constrained by existing pipeline capacity.
Volcanic lava flows continue to affect geothermal power generation on Hawaiiâs Big Island
(Tue, 17 Jul 2018) Lava flows from the Kilauea volcano on the island of Hawaii led to the shutdown of the Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) power plant on May 3, 2018. The 38-megawatt (MW) facility is the only geothermal plant on the island, and it produced about 29% of the islandâs electricity generation in 2017. The plant voluntarily ceased operations ahead of the approaching lava flow.
U.S. refinery capacity virtually unchanged between 2017 and 2018
(Mon, 16 Jul 2018) As of January 1, 2018, U.S. operable atmospheric crude distillation capacity totaled 18.6 million barrels per calendar day (b/cd), a slight decrease of 0.1% since the beginning of 2017 according to EIAâs annual <em>Refinery Capacity Report</em>. Annual operable crude oil distillation unit (CDU) capacity had increased slightly in each of the five years before 2018.
South Korea Country Analysis Brief
(Mon, 16 Jul 2018) South Korea, which lacks domestic energy reserves, ranks among the worldâs top five importers of liquefied natural gas, coal, and petroleum and other liquids. Despite its lack of resources, South Korea has some of the most advanced oil refineries in the world, and its companies have investments in overseas oil and natural gas assets.
China’s Strong Economic Growth Figures Belie Signs of Weakness
A 6.7 percent expansion rate comes amid signs that Beijing’s efforts to tame debt, the trade dispute with the U.S. and other problems are taking a toll.
The United States continues to export MTBE, mainly to Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela
(Fri, 13 Jul 2018) U.S. exports of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), a motor gasoline additive, totaled 38,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 2017, primarily to Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela. MTBE was once commonly used in the United States but was phased out in the late 2000s as a result of water contamination concerns. Since then, fuel ethanol has replaced MTBE as a gasoline additive.