Category Archives: Energy markets

Russia’s Economic War Front, The New Tributary System & The Russian Kowtow

A look at economic sanction options for Russia.

‘Major Step Forward’: AIG to Stop Insuring Coal, Tar Sands, and Arctic Drilling

The campaign to get AIG to stop guaranteeing many fossil fuel development projecs has opened a new front in climate activism.

Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine Highlights America’s Fading Geopolitical Influence

Why Russia is not as isolated as the US press would have you believe. The US has wrongfooted some recent dealing with influential countries.

Does Limited US Shale Spending Guarantee Higher Energy Prices?

Reduced shale investment is set to lead to sustained higher prices. That’s good for the planet but hard on budgets.

U.S. Shale Production Hindered By Sand Supply Crunch

Sand is back as a looming problem for shale operators.

Limits to Green Energy Are Becoming Much Clearer

Gail Tverberg throws cold water on green energy optimism.

Resource Nationalism on Rise in Latin America, As Fever for “White Gold,” aka Lithium, Grips the World

Countries in the region are taking greater control of the revenues generated by the minerals and hydrocarbons produced within their borders, in particular when it comes to lithium.

Europe’s Nuclear Fusion Race Is Going Private

Fusion fever has hopped across the pond and is seriously gaining traction among private enterprises in Europe.

McKinsey: Net-Zero By 2050 Needs $9.2 Trillion Annual Investment

McKinsey gives a not surprisingly big estimate for the cost of energy transition. But it’s unlikely to have considered radical conservation.

Navigating Russia/Ukraine Warmongering Disinformation

Trying to pull some signal out of the considerable propaganda, um, noise, on Russia and Ukraine.

EU Scientists and Politicians Clash Over Gas and Nuclear as ‘Sustainable’ Investments

Not surprisingly, it’s easier to move goalposts and designate gas and nuclear power as sustainable than get serious about cutting consumption

The Era of Cheap Renewables Grinds To A Halt

Long-discussed concerns about environmental costs and overall supplies of critical inputs to renewables are finally starting to materialize.

Nothing Fundamental Has Changed: Biden Administration Greenlights More Fossil Fuel Drilling Permits in 2021 for Public Lands and Waters than Did Trump in 2017

A coalition of climate groups calls on the Biden administration to use existing statutory authority as a basis for executive action to phase out fossil fuel extraction on public lands.

Rentier Capitalism and Class Warfare in Kazakhstan

Blame Kazakhstan ‘free’ market reforms that benefit the rich and powerful at the expense of the working class for recent protests.

Africa Faces an Uphill Battle Against Western Emissions to Combat Climate Change

African nations are disproportionately vulnerable to climate change, even though .the continent accounts for the smallest share of global greenhouse gas emissions – 3.8%.