Energy Policy, Oil & Gas Archives

Tesla’s Interesting Timing On A New Factory In Mexico

28Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Communism, Dictatorship, authoritarian, Democracy, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

Tesla’s Interesting Timing On A New Factory In Mexico

AMLO Welcomes The Deal, Rails Against U.S. Government And Critics Of Electoral Law Feb. 28, 2023—Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced today that Tesla plans to build a new electric vehicle plant in Monterrey, Mexico, the second largest city in the country. He hailed the investment as something that would bring well-paid jobs to the region. The new Mexico-based factory will join a Tesla fleet of factories: four in the United States, one in China, and one in Germany. Furthermore, it will benefit from $369 billion worth of U.S. subsidies for clean energy that Congress included as part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The company is likely to announce more details Wednesday during its planned "Investors Day." The news comes as countries and companies recalibrate...

A Week Before The Election, Biden Asks Big Oil To ‘Share The Wealth’

2Nov

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief, United States

A Week Before The Election, Biden Asks Big Oil To ‘Share The Wealth’

November 1, 2022—A week away from the U.S. Midterm elections, inflation is grabbing the attention of voters and politicians alike. As Republicans play up the impact of rising prices and pin the blame on their opponents, Democrats point the finger at companies benefiting from higher prices. It doesn't take long for the focus to fall on energy companies, specifically those earning profit from the high price of oil on global markets. That's precisely the play President Joe Biden pulled from his playbook on Monday. "In a difficult time, Americans across the country have stepped up, and they — to do the right thing. But not everyone has stepped up," Biden said. "The oil industry has not — has not met its commitment to invest in America and support the American people. One by one, major o...

Turkey And Russia Discuss Energy Deals, Trade in Food

13Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

Turkey And Russia Discuss Energy Deals, Trade in Food

October 13, 2022—On the sidelines of a conference in Kazakhstan, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders discussed trade of Russian grain and fertilizer and plans for Russia to run nuclear plans in Turkey. Energy Deals In addition to the nuclear deals in Turkey, they also discussed transporting Russian gas through Turkey via its ferry system. Putin said Turkey is "the most reliable route to deliver gas to the European Union," according to various news sources that quoted the Kremlin. He added that the hub in Turkey would be a "platform not only for supplies, but also for determining the price." Turkey To Transport Grain And Fertilizer Erdogan said facilitating trade of grain and fertilizer from Russia to other countries is of...

11Oct

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Types of News: Brief

ESG And GOP Don’t Mix

State treasurers from GOP-led states say ESG investing harms fossil fuel industries. US Republican Treasurers Withdraw $1 Billion From BlackRock Funds October 11, 2022—State treasurers from Republican-led states of Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah aren't buying into BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's idea of the power of capitalism to make the world a better place. In fact, they are pulling their state's funds from BlackRock funds altogether. The state GOP treasurers say they oppose BlackRock's position on prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) in investment decisions. "Corporate America is now at war with the states that make their living in the fossil fuel business," said John Schroder, Louisiana State Treasurer, during a podcast interview with ...

22Jun

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Energy Policy, Oil & Gas

Biden Pitches 3-Month Gas Tax Holiday

June 22, 2022—With the prices at the gas pump adding to inflation and the congressional elections just around the corner, U.S. President Joe Biden is likely feeling the pressure. Today, he announced plans to bring down the price Americans are paying for gasoline by suspending the federal tax on it. The U.S. inflation rate hit 8.6 percent this month, with oil and gas prices leading the climb. Political pressure is mounting for the president to do something. Today, Biden asked Congress to waive the federal gas tax for three months. Consumers pay 18 cents in tax on every gallon. Furthermore, the president called on U.S. states to match that gas-tax holiday with reductions in gas tax of their own. And, finally, Biden asked oil refineries to turn more petroleum into gasoline. "By suspe...

EU Moves One Step Closer To Forcing Standard Phone Cords

7Jun

By No Comments

Big Tech, Digital Economy, Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom

EU Moves One Step Closer To Forcing Standard Phone Cords

June 7, 2022—The European Union is moving one step closer to forcing tech companies to standardize cords charging cell phones. Today, the European Parliament and EU Member States agreed on a plan to require tech companies to make it easier for consumers to use a uniform charger, USB-C as it's known, for mobile phones and other portable electronic devices. The European Commission developed the plan for a common charger last September. The commissioners have been working on the issue since 2009, to the chagrin of Apple and other firms who prefer to sell consumers multiple cords for multiple devices. Common Charger The 2021 plan is to make the USB-C "the standard port for all smartphones, tablets, cameras, headphones, portable speakers and handheld videogame consoles." Supporters sa...

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

31May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Sanctions

EU Agrees To A Partial Ban On Russian Oil

European Council Plans To Accelerate Transition To Alternative Energy May 31, 2022-The 27 heads of government of the European Union agreed today to reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels and to accelerate a transition to alternative sources of energy. The decision sets the EU on a course to ban up 90 percent of Russian oil imports by the end of the year. It is part of the sixth round of sanctions against Russia and Belarus in response to Russia's war against Ukraine. "The European Council is committed to intensify pressure on Russia and Belarus to thwart Russia’s war against Ukraine," the Council said in an 11-page document. "The European Council calls on all countries to align with EU sanctions. Any attempts to circumvent sanctions or to aid Russia by other means must be s...

9Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy and International Law, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Types of News: Brief

US, Venezuela Resume Diplomatic Talks

U.S Prisoners Held In Venezuela Return Home March 9, 2022--As the United States cuts off imports of oil from Russia, it opens doors for a resumption of trade with other countries under U.S. sanctions. Namely, it opens possibilities for Venezuela and Iran. In the latter case, Iran, negotiations have been ongoing in Vienna for months. Talks Resume In the case of Venezuela, diplomats restarted talks that had stalled. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki confirmed on Tuesday U.S. envoy had traveled to resume talks on "a range of topics" and those talks are ongoing. Venezuela backed Russia on a recent UN vote, abstaining from a resolution on by the UN Human Rights Council. And Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro stands firm in his commitment to his communist revolution. His Twitt...

International Agency Says Europe Can Cut 1/3 Of Its Russian Gas Imports

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Climate Action, ESG, Sustainable Finance, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Europe, EU, Eurozone, and United Kingdom, Geopolitics, Globalization, Disintegration, Nationalism, Populism, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, UN Security Council, Types of News: Brief

International Agency Says Europe Can Cut 1/3 Of Its Russian Gas Imports

March 7, 2022--Europe is notoriously dependent on Russian oil and gas. That reliance is making strict penalties on Russia's invasion difficult to carry out. But that trade isn't set in stone. In a new report, the International Energy Agency recommends 10 steps for European leaders who want to break that dependency. Under the IEA plan, Europe would be able to reduce its natural gas imports from Russia from 155 billion cubic meters (bcm) a year to 95 bcm--a savings of one third. These figures assume Europe refills is gas storage facilities in 2022. According the the report, the steps are in line with the European Union's goals for climate action and a European Green Deal. However, the agency also recommends additional steps in light of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. 10 Steps ...

Looking At The Economic Effects Of Russia’s War

7Mar

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Eastern Europe, Energy Policy, Oil & Gas, Global Economics, WAR: Dispatches & Dialogue

Looking At The Economic Effects Of Russia’s War

Energy Price Spikes Lead Economic Impact Of War March 7, 2022—By far, the greatest cost of Russia's war against Ukraine is the humanitarian costs: the lives lost, the forced displacement, and the psychological trauma. As the world faces down Russia's aggression, we also need to recognize and prepare for the economic effects. The battle and emerging breakdown of global trade are also having an economic impact, and it is helpful for individuals to brace themselves for that. "The near-term effects on the U.S. economy of the invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing war, the sanctions, and of events to come, remain highly uncertain," Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said recently. "We will need to be nimble in responding to incoming data and the evolving outlook."-House Financial Service...