Trump Is Offering Populism, Minus the Free Candy
Consider an alternate history in which the Trump administration absorbed and embraced the lessons of right-wing populists from abroad.
World Offers Cautionary Tale for Trump’s Infrastructure Plan
President Trump has called for private money to fund his $1 trillion plan, but similar moves in other countries have faced cost and quality problems.
Competition between coal and natural gas affects power markets
(Fri, 16 Jun 2017) In 2016, natural gas provided 34% of total electricity generation, surpassing coal to become the leading generation source. Natural gas first exceeded coal as the most common electricity fuel on a monthly basis in April 2015 and on an annual basis in 2016. The increase in natural gas generation since 2005 is primarily a result of the continued cost competitiveness of natural gas relative to coal.
In New L.I.R.R. Concourse, Commuters Can’t Quite Forget Transit Woes
Passengers praised a new train hall across from Penn Station, but wondered when the rest of the New York City area’s transit might start measuring up to global standards.
European mill consolidation concerns independent stockists, distributors
Mergers and acquisitions in European steelmaking could have important consequences downstream, with independent service centers increasingly nervous they will be squeezed out of the market.
Global oil markets expected to tighten in third quarter 2017, then loosen through 2018
(Thu, 15 Jun 2017) Forecast world production of crude oil and other liquids in 2017 and 2018 was revised slightly downward in the June edition of EIA's <em>Short-Term Energy Outlook</em> (STEO), which was issued after the May 25 announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) of an extension to production cuts that were originally set to end this month.
Steel 232 investigation and the Russian investigation: On a collision course?
Findings of the Section 232 steel import investigation will likely be shared soon, and it will be interesting to see how imports from Russia are treated.
Wind and solar in March accounted for 10% of U.S. electricity generation for first time
(Wed, 14 Jun 2017) For the first time, monthly electricity generation from wind and solar (including utility-scale plants and small-scale systems) exceeded 10% of total electricity generation in the United States, based on March data in EIAâs Electric Power Monthly. Electricity generation from both of these energy sources has grown with increases in wind and solar generating capacity.
Egypt to put squeeze on Qatari LNG volumes
Egypt cut diplomatic ties with Qatar in June because of its alleged support for terrorist groups. Cairo currently relies heavily on Qatari LNG imports to make up its shortfall in domestic gas production.
Three Mile Island is the latest nuclear power plant to announce retirement plans
(Tue, 13 Jun 2017) At the end of May, Exelon, the owner of the Three Mile Island Nuclear Generating Station in southeastern Pennsylvania, announced its intention to retire the plant in 2019 unless the company is given assistance by the state to help keep the plant financially viable. Exelonâs announcement marks the sixth announced nuclear retirement in the past seven years.