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.
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.