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EIA
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What is the role of coal in the United States?
Due to its relatively low cost and abundance, coal is used to generate about half of the electricity consumed in the United States. Coal is the largest domestically-produced source of energy. Coal use, however, results in higher amounts of carbon dioxide per unit of energy than the use of oil or natural gas.
What is a cap-and-trade program and how does it work?
A cap-and-trade program is designed to reduce emissions of a pollutant by placing a limit (or cap) on the total amount of emissions. The cap is implemented through a system of allowances that can be traded to minimize costs to affected sources. Cap-and-trade programs for greenhouse gas emissions would increase the costs of using fossil fuels.
What is the status of the U.S. nuclear industry?
There are currently 104 commercial nuclear reactors at 65 nuclear power plants in 31 States. Since 1990, the share of the Nation's total electricity supply provided by nuclear power generation has averaged about 20%, with the level of nuclear generation growing at roughly the same rate as overall electricity use. Between 1985 and 1996, 34 new reactors were placed in service. In addition, nuclear generation has increased as a result of higher utilization of existing capacity and from technical modifications to increase nuclear plant capacity (expressed in megawatts). In response to incentives provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, nuclear power output is expected to grow, but at a slightly lower rate than total electricity generation.
How can we compare or add up our energy consumption?
To compare or aggregate energy consumption across different energy sources like oil, natural gas, and electricity, we must use a common unit of measure. This is similar to calculating your food energy intake by adding up the calories in whatever you eat.
What role does liquefied natural gas (LNG) play as an energy source for the United States?
On an annual basis from 2003 to 2008, the United States imported between 13% and 16% of its natural gas requirements. Most of these imports were in gaseous form delivered by pipeline from Canada. However, natural gas imports have also come in liquid form from overseas. Between 1% and 3% of U.S. demand for natural gas was met by LNG from 2003 to 2008.
How dependent are we on foreign oil?
The United States imported about 57% of the petroleum,1 which includes crude oil and refined petroleum products, that we consumed during 2008. Nearly half of these imports came from the Western Hemisphere. Our dependence on foreign petroleum is expected to decline in the next two decades.
What are the major sources and users of energy in the United States?
The major energy sources in the United States are petroleum (oil), natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable energy. The major users are residential and commercial buildings, industry, transportation, and electric power generation. The pattern of fuel use varies widely by sector. For example, oil provides 95% of the energy used for transportation, but only 1% of the energy used to generate electric power. Understanding the relationships between the different energy sources and their uses provides insights into many important energy issues.
How much renewable energy do we use?
Americans used renewable energy sources — water (hydroelectric), geothermal, wind, sun (solar), and biomass — to meet about 7% of our total energy needs in 2008.
What are renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and how do they affect generation of electricity from renewable sources?
Renewable portfolio standards are policies designed to increase electricity generation from renewable resources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. Many States have their own renewable portfolio standards, although currently there is no program at the National level. States with renewable portfolio programs have seen an increase in the amount of electricity generated from renewable fuels.
What is the electric power grid, and what are some challenges it faces?
The grid of electric power lines has evolved into three large interconnected systems that move electricity around the country. Standards have been developed by the electric power industry to ensure coordination for the linked operations. Challenges facing the power grid include getting approval for corridors of land for new transmission lines within States or that cross multiple States, and the financing and constructing of new transmission lines to assure continued reliability of our electricity supply.
Who are the major players supplying the world oil market?
Governments of oil-rich countries have a major influence on the world supply of oil through ownership of national oil companies and, for some governments, their membership in OPEC.
How much does the Federal Government spend on energy-specific subsidies and support?
The Federal Government spent an estimated $16.6 billion in energy-specific subsidies and support programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007. Energy-specific subsidies have more than doubled since FY 1999.
What are greenhouse gases and how much are emitted by the United States?
Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun and warm the planet's surface. Of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, 87% are related to energy consumption. Since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions in the United States have grown by about 1% per year. In 2005, about 21% of the world's total energy-related carbon dioxide was emitted by the United States.
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FT.com
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International Power profits beat expectations
The power generation group reports profits ahead of expectations despite a sharp drop in US earnings because of strong growth in emerging markets like Asia and the Middle East
World leader chooses well-placed partner
Royal Dutch Shell's move on Arrow Energy is an important step forward in the company's development of Australia's coal bed methane
Scramble for lithium gathers pace
Japan and South Korea's struggle for international reserves of the rare metal shows the intensity of the battle to feed the battery industry
UK results: Antofagasta profits unaffected by Chile earthquake
Tuesday's UK results round-up: the Chilean copper miner used its annual results to reassure investors that its operations had not been seriously affected by the earthquake
State Grid in joint deal with Quadra
The power utility will spend $900m to develop a Chilean copper deposit in partnership with the mining group, in the latest move by a Chinese company to gain more control over raw materials
EnQuest sees open waters ahead
The newly created explorer is debt-free and has a good cash flow, so acquisitions are just a matter of time, says Miles Johnson
Shell and PetroChina offer to buy Arrow
Royal Dutch Shell and PetroChina move to take a lead role in Australia's burgeoning coal-bed methane gas sector after making a joint offer for Brisbane-based Arrow Energy
Petrofac doubles order backlog
The oil services group reports a 25 per cent jump in full-year pre-tax profits and says it is eyeing a chunk of $200bn (£131bn) of engineering contracts likely to be awarded in its key Middle East and African markets in the next two years
Energy investment at risk, report warns
Uncertainty over energy policy and the regulatory framework could cause an 'investment hiatus' that would lead to strain on the electricity system later in the decade
Energy groups plan for European 'super-grid'
Ten companies have joined forces to create a super-grid linking the UK, Germany and Norway and which will cost €34bn
Keeping with the African faith
The discoveries in the past three years by Tullow in Ghana and Uganda have been transformational
Essar Group eyes $3bn London listing
Essar Group is considering raising up to $3bn from listing its oil and power assets on the London Stock Exchange in order to finance the Indian conglomerate's energy expansion plans
Europe the new frontier in shale gas rush
The dash for unconventional gas deals by the oil majors signals a shift in strategy in the hunt for new sources of energy
Alberta project is losing the PR battle
The region's impact on the environment is under scrutiny and has resulted in harsh criticism, despite news that its oil sands projects are profitable agains
Chesapeake in dealmaking frenzy
The spate of deals involving Chesapeake highlights the role independents have played in developing the unconventional shale gas industry
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