Category Archives: Energy markets

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%.

U.S. Interior Department Moves to Block Some Oil and Gas Leasing on Alaska’s North Slope

Interior Department restricts oil and gas development in Alaska’s National Petroleum Researve.

Strong Earthquakes Spell Trouble For America’s Oil Heartland

It’s hardly a secret that fracking has produced a sharp increase in the frequency of earthquakes. But now they are becoming more severe too.

Chronic Underinvestment Could Push Oil Prices Higher In 2022

Bullish prospects for oil do not bode well for inflation or global warming.

Understanding Inflation Risks in the US and the Euro Area

Fed-type models say US inflation will hang around. So the central bank will try to Do Something when it really can’t do much.

Coal On Track To Break Records Despite Efforts To Curb Production

So much for coal being on the way out….

Carbon Pipelines in the Hawkeye State

A new, enormous boondoggle?

Oil & Gas Investors Are Underestimating This Systemic Risk: Plugging Costs

An issue to keep in mind as fossil fuel demand declines: plugging costs can no longer be kicked down the road.

How ‘Big Oil’ Works the System and Keeps Winning

Oil and gas interests have refined their techniques to stay a step ahead over decades. Don’t look for those plans to stop anytime soon.

Gravel or Green: What Will Become of Alaska’s Coastal Plain?

Oil companies and regulators must bolster nascent efforts to repair the damage that has already been done.

The US Biofuel Mandate Helps Farmers, but Does Little for Energy Security and Harms the Environment

Why biofuel is a scam, except perhaps as a subsidy to Big Ag.

The Geopolitical Game That Could Transform Gas Markets

Will Turkey’s economic straits prime a big multi-country gas deal?