Harris' energy strategy is ambiguous from a strategic perspective, say her aides
Since Vice President Kamala Harris joined the White House race 25 days ago, she has been keeping energy executives on their toes. Was she the anti-pollution and climate change warrior Attorney General of California? Or was she the pragmatic number two in the Democratic Biden Administration that oversaw record U.S. production and exports of oil? Seven times in her speeches, she mentioned climate, but never energy, fracking, or oil. Polls indicate that climate change is a topic of great interest, particularly among younger voters.
Big Corn, Big Oil Square off in White House Biofuels Meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump gathered with senators and Cabinet officials on Tuesday to discuss ways to lower the cost of the nation’s biofuels policy to refiners, a meeting pitting Big Corn against Big Oil. The meeting reflects rising concern in the White House over the current state of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a law requiring refiners to mix biofuels such as corn-based ethanol into their fuel, which has increasingly divided two of Trump's most important constituencies.
Merkel: EU Must Reform ETS Scheme Now
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that Europe must agree quickly on a reform of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and as part of that, surplus CO2 certificates must be reduced. "The German government will push for a clear signal for a quick and sustainable reform of the Emission Trading Scheme. It is and remains the central instrument to fight climate change in Europe," Merkel told the Bundestag lower house of parliament in a speech. "We must reduce as quickly as possible existing surpluses of certificates to bring emissions trading back on course…
Merkel: Putin Talks to Include Gas, Ceasefire
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at this week's EU-Asia summit in Milan would include a range of issues related to Ukraine from the gas dispute to the ceasefire agreement. "There are plans for such talks with the Russian president. The whole range of issues related to Ukraine - such as gas but also the Minsk agreement - will be on the agenda," Merkel told a news conference, adding that she expected a frank exchange.
Russia: Ukraine's Winter Gas Problem May Have Been Solved
Russia's energy minister said after gas talks with Ukraine in Berlin on Friday that an interim deal mediated by the European Union could be the basis for a solution over the winter, though Russia would only supply Ukraine once pre-payments were made. Moscow would require partial payments of at least $2 billion by the end of October and another $1.1 billion by year end, said Energy Minister Alexander Novak, concurring with an outline of the deal by European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger.
EU Sees High Chance of Winter Gas Deal After Ukraine-Russia Talks
The European Union proposed a gas deal between Ukraine and Russia in Berlin on Friday that would guarantee Ukraine at least 5 billion cubic metres of gas for the next six months, European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said. Oettinger said there was a "very high chance" that all sides would agree to the interim deal to ensure Ukraine's gas supply over the winter, following the talks mediated by the EU. The price discussed was $385 per cubic metres…
Merkel: Closer Energy Cooperation with Qatar Likely
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she expected cooperation with Qatar in the energy sector to grow in the years ahead, saying progress was already being made in the area of liquefied natural gas (LNG). "I believe that we will have closer cooperation in the energy sector in the years to come," she said on Wednesday at a joint news conference with visiting Qatari ruler Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. "First steps have been taken in the area of LNG.
German Lower House Passes Renewable Energy Law
Germany's Bundestag lower house of parliament on Friday passed a law to reform the system of renewable energy subsidies, clearing the first hurdle for a plan that could still be stopped by the European Union. The law - part of Germany's efforts to wean itself off nuclear power - still needs approval from the upper house and the European Commission, which is concerned that exemptions from a power surcharge may infringe EU state aid laws. (Reporting by Annika Breidthardt and Stephen Brown)
Merkel to Push Back against EU If Green Energy Support Questioned
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday she would push back decisively against the European Commission if it raised further objections to Germany's system of green power subsidies. Berlin and the Commission have been at odds over the German policy under which consumers pay a surcharge to finance renewable energy while heavy industrial users are exempt. The Commission raised new objections on Monday, which led to Germany offering to change its planned reform at the last minute.
BC Shippers Welcomes Northern Gateway Approval
The Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia today welcomed the federal government's decision to approve the Northern Gateway Pipeline. Chamber President Captain Stephen Brown said the decision confirms the conclusion of the work undertaken by the Joint Review Panel that Northern Gateway is in the country's national interest and can be operated safely on land and on water. "The technology enhancements driving today's marine industry including mandatory double-hulled tanker construction provide an unprecedented level of protection for B.C.'s coast," said Brown.
Northern Gateway Pipeline Approved by Canada
The Chamber of Shipping of British Columbia says it welcomes the federal government's decision to approve the Northern Gateway Pipeline. The 1,177-km (731 miles) pipeline project, is expected to transport 525,000 barrels of Alberta oil a day to Asia-bound tankers. Chamber President Captain Stephen Brown said the decision confirms the conclusion of the work undertaken by the Joint Review Panel that Northern Gateway is in the country's national interest and can be operated safely on land and on water.
German State Allows Vattenfall to Expand Brown Coal Mining
The eastern German state of Brandenburg approved plans on Tuesday to allow utility Vattenfall to mine a further 200 million tonnes of brown coal from 2026, a move critics say will cause pollution and also force 800 people from their homes. The decision by Brandenburg's cabinet, made up of centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) and the more radical Left party, highlights the complexities of Germany's energy policy, which aims to promote renewable energy. While Germany has seen a rapid expansion in green energy…
Germany Voices Support for Siemens-Alstom Deal
The German government voiced support on Monday for a deal between Siemens and France's Alstom, saying mooted plans for a swap of energy and rail assets could offer "great opportunities" for both countries. The German engineering group, which missed out on acquiring Alstom assets a decade ago due to opposition from the French government, is reportedly ready to offer the French firm half of its train-making business plus cash in exchange for Alstom's power turbines division. The French government wants to find alternative bidders to U.S.
