Nickel demand in the Philippines is a major concern
The Philippines is ramping up its operations to meet the global demand for metals, minerals and other materials to support the green transition. "When you mine for nickel, you must remove topsoil, forest vegetation and wildlife, causing deforestation and displacement of wildlife," said Grizelda mayo-Anda. She is the director of Environmental Legal Assistance Center, a legal organization that promotes environmental rights. In response, Palawan Gov.
Brazil talks to TPG and Brookfield about $4 billion climate finance
Brazil is in discussions with global investors, including TPG and Brookfield, to raise almost $4 billion for climate projects. This comes as the country ramps up its green finance campaign ahead of hosting COP30 in November. The move, led by the state development bank BNDES is the latest effort by the government of President Luiz inacio Lula da Silveira to encourage private sector investment…
China begins construction of the world's largest dam on hydropower in Tibet
The official Xinhua News Agency reported that China's Premier Li Qiang had announced the start construction of what is estimated to be the largest hydropower project in the world. It will be located on the eastern rims of the Tibetan plateau, and the cost of this project is estimated at around $170 billion. The project is part China's drive to expand renewable energy sources and reduce carbon emission.
Freeport-McMoRan is poised to benefit from Trump's tariff on copper against competitors with few options
Freeport-McMoRan's annual profit could increase by $1.6 billion if President Donald Trump’s proposed copper tariff is implemented. This benefit would be driven by Freeport-McMoRan's position as the United States' largest producer, with greater expansion options than its competitors. Freeport, based in Phoenix, is responsible for 60% of the U.S. output of copper. Since the 19th century it has developed U.S. mining projects with decades of growth without the need of new permits.
Australia's bid to be listed as a World Heritage Site for ancient rock art is stalled over pollution
The U.N. advisory panel warned that industrial pollution near the site could threaten its World Heritage status. The International Council on Monuments and Sites recommended that UNESCO refer the nomination to the Australian Government so it can "prevent further industrial development adjacent and within the Murujuga Culture Landscape". The Murujuga Rock Art, located on the Burrup Peninsula…
Woodside, Australia's largest coal company, faces protests and investor anger at its annual meeting
On Thursday, climate change activists shouted and blew whistles as they disrupted the annual general meeting of Australian gas producer Woodside Energy. They also heckled Chief Executive Meg O'Neill. Investors were also involved in the protests against Woodside's sustainability and gas projects, as they had been in previous years. The Australian pension funds HESTA, and Aware, both lodged protest votes, and voted against its director who was charged with overseeing climate risk.
US to revise offshore oil and natural gas bonding rules era Biden
The Trump administration is revising a Biden era rule which required the oil and natural gas industry to provide new financial guarantees of nearly $7 billion to cover the costs of decommissioning older infrastructure. This was announced by the Interior Department on Friday. The agency stated in a press release that it would be developing a new regulatory framework, but gave no specifics.
Trump's order to stop NY wind project shocks offshore industry and threatens other projects
The Trump administration’s decision late Wednesday to halt the construction of Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 off the coasts of New York sent shockwaves throughout the offshore wind industry. It raised concerns that fully permitted developments worth billions of dollars are not secure. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, had promised during his campaign to put an end to offshore wind energy. He argued that it was too expensive and harmful for whales and birds.
Trump's order to stop NY wind project shocks offshore industry and threatens other projects
The Trump administration's late Wednesday decision to stop construction of Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 off the coasts of New York sent shockwaves throughout the offshore wind industry. It raised concerns that developments with full permits, representing billions of dollars in investment, aren't secure. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, had promised during his campaign to put an end to offshore wind energy. He argued that it was too expensive and harmful for whales and birds.
Oil advocate withdraws nomination for US Land Bureau
Senator Mike Lee announced at a Senate Hearing on Thursday that oil industry lobbyist Kathleen Sgamma had withdrawn her nomination for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Sgamma was scheduled to appear before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on Thursday morning to discuss her nomination. Lee announced the news at the beginning of the hearing. Sgamma issued a subsequent statement via Lee's office, which did not provide a reason as to why she resigned.
Oil below $60 puts US producers in a tough position regarding growth and capital returns
Analysts have warned that a drop in oil prices to below $60 per barrel as a result of an intensifying trade war could cause anxiety throughout the U.S. Oil Patch, forcing companies to take additional measures, including reducing share buybacks or capital expenditures. Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate futures (WTI) fell to their lowest levels since February 2021 as tariffs introduced by U.S.
The EPA chief wants to recover $20 billion in climate funding
He said that the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants to terminate contracts signed by the previous administration for the distribution of $20 billion in grant funds to fund clean energy projects and transportation in disadvantaged areas. In a message on X, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that he would ask the Inspector-General, Congress, and Justice Departments to…
Trump appoints US Oil Advocate to Lead Public Land Bureau
Kathleen Sgamma is a vocal advocate of oil and gas for Western States. She will be heading the Interior Department Bureau of Land Management which oversees the use of nearly 250 million acres of country's public lands. Sgamma is the head of Western Energy Alliance which represents oil companies operating on federal land. He had criticized Biden's and Obama's efforts to reserve public land for conservation rather than open more acres for energy developments.
Trump appoints US Oil Advocate to Lead Public Land Bureau
Kathleen Sgamma is a vocal advocate of oil and gas for Western States. She will be heading the Interior Department Bureau of Land Management which oversees the use of nearly 250 million acres of country public lands. Sgamma is the head of Western Energy Alliance which represents oil companies operating on federal land. He had criticized Biden's and Obama's efforts to reserve public lands for conservation rather than open more acres for energy developments.
Biden bans offshore oil and gas drilling before Trump's term
The U.S. president Joe Biden has announced that he will ban all new offshore oil and natural gas development along the majority of U.S. coasts. This is a decision which President-elect Donald Trump who has pledged to increase domestic energy production may find hard to reverse. Biden, according to the White House on Monday, will exercise his authority under 70-year-old Outer Continental…
Biden bans offshore oil and gas drilling before Trump's term
The U.S. president Joe Biden has announced that he will ban all new offshore oil and natural gas development along the majority of U.S. coasts. This is a decision which President-elect Donald Trump who has pledged to increase domestic energy production may find hard to reverse. Biden, according to the White House on Monday, will exercise his authority under 70-year-old Outer Continental…
Barcelona terraces are still heated by patio heaters.
Gas-powered patio heaters are being used by tourists in Barcelona's historic center until 2025, when they will be banned due to their carbon emissions. The ban is set to take effect on January 1, and it's the culmination of years of battle between the City Council and restaurant owners who are worried about losing business because customers will avoid outdoor seating during winter. The…
Woodside's North West Shelf Project Extension approved by Western Australia
Woodside Energy, Australia's largest oil and gas producer in terms of market value, announced on Thursday that the state of Western Australia had granted Woodside Energy approval to extend the project life of its North West Shelf LNG (liquefied Natural Gas) until 2070. You can also find out more about the decision-making process by clicking here. Woodside announced Thursday that the approval…
NOIA Reacts as BOEM Announces Next Steps for GoM Oil & Gas
National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico:"We are pleased to see BOEM finally moving forward with the next step toward the first Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale of the 2024-2029 offshore leasing program.
Cuba announces new restrictions and a contingency plan as the energy crisis intensifies
Cuba has asked businesses and state-owned companies to reduce their air conditioning usage and generate more electricity using renewable sources, and also to take other conservation measures. This is as the communist government faces its worst energy crisis for decades. In a 16-page decret published on Tuesday, the new regulations give the top energy users in the public and private sectors…