Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Arizona News

Maguire: Slow rollout of charge points could stall US EV sales momentum

The United States has seen a 140% increase in electric vehicle sales since 2023. However, further growth could be hindered if public charging stations are not rolled out more evenly and at a slower pace. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, U.S. electric vehicle registrations will reach just over 3.5 millions by September 2024. This is up from 1.4m registrations in 2023 and represents the steepest growth rate ever in EV adoption in the country. AFDC data show that the number of public EV chargers has increased by just 22% in the same time period to 176 032 units.

Maguire: Slow rollout of charge points could stall US EV sales momentum

The United States has seen a 140% increase in electric vehicle sales since 2023. However, further growth could be hindered if public charging stations are not rolled out more evenly and at a slower pace. According to the Alternative Fuels Data Center, U.S. electric vehicle registrations will reach just over 3.5 millions by September 2024. This is up from 1.4m registrations in 2023 and represents the steepest growth rate ever in EV adoption in the country. AFDC data show that the number of public EV chargers has increased by just 22% in the same time period to 176 032 units.

The US has imposed preliminary new tariffs on solar imports from Southeast Asia

The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Tuesday anti-subsidy, countervailing duty on solar cells imported from Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia. A preliminary decision published on Commerce's site shows that the agency has calculated tariff rates ranging from 0.14% to 3,293.61% depending on the company for solar cells from four Southeast Asian countries. Next year, a final decision will be taken. This announcement is the second of two preliminary decisions that the Commerce Department will be making this year on a trade case filed by Hanwha Qcells in Korea…

US unveils first of two decisions regarding solar tariffs

The U.S. Trade officials may this week impose new tariffs against solar panels imported from four Southeast Asian countries. American manufacturers claim that these nations provide unfair subsidies, which make U.S. goods uncompetitive. The Commerce Department is expected to announce its first preliminary decision in this year on a trade case filed by Hanwha Qcells in Korea, Arizona's First Solar, and several smaller companies that are seeking to protect their billions in investments made in U.S. manufacturing of solar panels.

Natgas producer BKV is valued at $1.56 billion in its NYSE debut

BKV shares rose by 3.1% on their New York Stock Exchange debut on Thursday. This gives the U.S. Natural Gas Producer a market cap of $1.56 Billion. Companies looking to list shares have a new window of opportunity as the long-awaited rate-cutting cycle of the U.S. Federal Reserve begins. Several companies are also speeding up their plans in order to avoid the uncertainty that will result from the November presidential elections. BKV shares opened at $18.55 on their debut, as opposed to the $18 price for the initial public offer.

Money losing natgas producer BKV revives US IPO

BKV Corp, a natural gas producer in the red, said it plans to raise $315 million via an initial public offer of shares. This comes nearly two years after BKV first filed to sell its shares publicly. BKV said it will offer between $19 to $21 per share. The company aims to achieve a valuation up to $1.77bn in its IPO. Companies waiting to list shares have a new window of opportunity due to the recent increase in natural gas prices in the United States from their more than 30-year low inflation adjusted. This company was one of the U.S.

Biden administration finalizes the solar lands plan and touts progress

The administration of U.S. president Joe Biden announced on Thursday that it had finalized plans to expand solar power on federal lands across 11 western states. This is part of an overall push to accelerate the permitting and construction process for large infrastructure projects. The White House is looking to speed up the approval of projects ranging in scope from wind and solar farms to power transmission as part of its efforts to combat climate change and decarbonize the energy sector. It also wants to promote the "Investing in America' agenda in advance of the November election. The U.S.

Meyer Burger to halt solar plant in Colorado and plans restructuring

Meyer Burger, a Swiss solar panel manufacturer, announced on Monday that it had suspended plans for an upcoming plant in Colorado. The company said it would take restructuring measures to improve profitability and also suggested the profits might be lower than expected. The company said that its board had requested management to develop a "comprehensive cost-cutting and restructuring program", and board member Mark Kerekes would be stepping down. Meyer Burger announced that it would focus on its already installed module production facility in Goodyear (Arizona) following the Colorado decision.

Meyer Burger delays half-year results while it looks for financing

Meyer Burger, a Swiss solar panel manufacturer, announced on Tuesday that it will postpone its 2024 half year results to September 16 in order to secure additional funding and a strategic partnership. Meyer Burger announced that it will postpone publication of the results which were due to be published on Wednesday. The company did not provide any further details. The money will be used to complete the Colorado and Arizona manufacturing plants. Meyer Burger's financial struggles have caused pressure on its shares. They are down more than 90% this year and well below the peaks reached in early 2023.

Protecting Offshore Energy Sources via USV

Photo courtesy Mr. Dave Meron

When most people discuss energy sources such as fossil fuel and green energy, it is from an “either-or” perspective. Some favor the former while others advocate for the latter. However, what is often lost in the arguments on both sides is that regardless of the type of energy being extracted or generated, those platforms that are offshore, especially oil rigs, oil and gas pipelines, and wind farms, are incredibly vulnerable to anyone who wants to attack these sources in wartime, or just…

Oil Extends Slump as Prospect of Second Viral Wave in U.S. Ends Rally

Oil prices fell on Friday, extending heavy overnight losses as a surge in U.S. coronavirus cases this week raised the prospect of a second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak hitting demand in the world's biggest consumer of crude and fuel.West Texas Intermediate was down 65 cents, or nearly 2%, at $35.69 a barrel by 0358 GMT, after slumping more than 8% on Thursday. Brent crude was down 58 cents, or 1.5%, at $37.97 a barrel, having dropped nearly 8% the previous session.A rally that raised…

Batteries hasten winds of change for electricity stocks

(Photo: Eric Haun)

Bigger, better batteries are speeding up change in the U.S. electricity sector and could help power a rally in Xcel Energy Inc, American Electric Power Co Inc and other utility and renewable energy stocks, Barron's reported.After a decade of steep cost declines, wind and solar installations, often paired with battery storage, are increasingly displacing older coal and gas-fired power plants, benefiting battery makers and some utilities, the Barron's cover story said.Batteries can now store enough electricity to help power small towns when wind and solar supplies ebb, Barron's said.

EPA Announces Funding to Reduce Diesel Emissions

Preference given to fleets in areas facing air quality challenges. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of grant funding to modernize the nation’s diesel fleet by retrofitting or replacing vehicles with cleaner, more efficient diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds. “These grants will incentivize improvements to aging diesel fleets and improve air quality throughout the country,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

Magellan Midstream Plans Expansion of Fuel System in Texas

Photo: Magellan Midstream Partners

The pipeline's current capacity of 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) could increase to 140,000 bpd following the expansion. The expansion would boost Magellan's capability to haul fuel from Gulf Coast refineries to demand centers in Abilene, Midland/Odessa and El Paso, Texas, markets in New Mexico and Arizona, and international markets in Mexico. The expanded capacity could be operational by mid-2020, subject to customer interest and regulatory approval, the company said in a statement.

Green Power Law Impacting U.S. Utilities

In the last four years, North Carolina has become the second largest solar market in the United States, behind only California. It has installed more solar energy than Texas, which has nearly three times the population; more than Arizona, which has twice as many sunny days; and more than New York, which has far more aggressive renewable energy targets. North Carolina’s solar boom is rooted in a federal law enacted four decades ago – one that has only recently had much impact. The law is now emerging as a boon for many solar developers in select states…

U.S. Military Marches on Green Energy

President Donald Trump and his top advisors have often scoffed at government support of green energy. But the largest U.S. government agency - the Department of Defense - plans to forge ahead under the new administration with a decade-long effort to convert its fuel-hungry operations to renewable power, senior military officials told Reuters. The reasons have nothing to do with the white-hot debate over climate change. In combat zones, green energy saves lives by, for instance, reducing the need for easily attacked convoys to deliver diesel fuel to generators at U.S. bases.

California Wind Demand Energizes Transmission Firms

A firm controlled by Philip Anschutz, the billionaire entertainment and pro sports magnate, will soon build the largest wind farm in the United States to serve utilities in California, where officials have set ambitious green power goals. The $5 billion project, however, will be constructed 700 miles away in Wyoming, a state better known for coal mines and oil fields. The vast distance between the two states provides a different Anschutz-owned firm with another big opportunity: a $3 billion…

Archibald Joins Woodside Board

The Board of Woodside has appointed Mr Larry Archibald as a non-executive director effective 1 February 2017. Mr Archibald joins Woodside as an independent director. Woodside Chairman Michael Chaney said that Mr Archibald’s significant international experience in oil and gas exploration and impressive record of exploration success would be a great asset to the company's Board. President, Exploration. Mr Archibald had previously spent 29 years at Amoco and BP in various positions including leading global exploration programs.

Sundevil Power Files for Bankruptcy

Sundevil Holdings Holdings LLC, which operates two gas-fired power plants in Gila Bend, Arizona filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday, according to court documents.   The company, owned by private equity firm Wayzata Investment Partners, listed $100 million to $500 million of both assets and liabilities in its filing with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware.   The company said it would seek court approval to borrow $45 million to support its operations during its bankruptcy.   (Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware)

Hoover's Young Named to PESA Board

Donald Young ( Photo: Hoover Container Solutions)

Hoover Container Solutions’ chairman and CEO, Donald Young, has been nominated and elected to the Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) Advisory Board for a three-year term. PESA’s leadership is comprised of experienced industry executives dedicated to advancing priorities of the service and supply sector. The role of the PESA Advisory Board is to offer insight to the PESA Board of Directors and staff, promote PESA participation within their own companies and strengthen PESA’s member ranks via personal industry connections.