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The long-awaited indictments marked the latest development in what has been labeled the largest corruption case in Ohio history. In July 2021, Yost asked a judge in Columbus to add Jones, Dowling and Randazzo to his office's lawsuit against FirstEnergy. It identified 84 phone contacts between Jones and Householder and 14 phone contacts between Dowling and Householder. FirstEnergy admitted to its role in the bribery scheme as part of a July 2021 deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. A statement of facts signed by then-FirstEnergy CEO and President Steven Strah, who retired in 2022, detailed the involvement of Jones, Dowling, Randazzo and others in the bribery scheme.

Persons: Chuck Jones, Michael Dowling, Dave Yost, Sam Randazzo, Larry, Matt Borges, Jones, Dowling, Susan Baker Ross, Randazzo, Baker, Columbus, FirstEnergy, Mike DeWine, Carole Rendon, ”, Matthew Meyer, Richard Blake, Borges, Juan Cespedes, Jeffrey Longstreth, Neil Clark, Householder’s, Bill, Yost, Steven Strah Organizations: FirstEnergy Corp, Republican, Public Utilities Commission, Summit, FBI, Republican Gov, GPS, Industrial Energy, Randazzo, Sustainability, of Ohio, FirstEnergy, U.S . Department of Justice Locations: COLUMBUS , Ohio, Ohio, Akron, Naples , Florida, FirstEnergy, U.S, Cincinnati, Columbus

Trump is aiming to wrest control of the RNC by muscling Whatley through in an orchestrated ouster of the organization's current chair, Ronna McDaniel. Yet for much of his professional life, Whatley's political sensibilities appeared to align far more closely with the party’s mainstream and corporate establishment. Later, he clerked for a federal judge in North Carolina before departing for Washington as Bush campaigned for the presidency. And a lot of people in North Carolina don’t think he was elected fair,” said Anderson Clayton, chairwoman of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Art Pope, a North Carolina businessman and major conservative donor, said Whatley was well-equipped to lead the organization.

Persons: Michael Whatley, Donald Trump zeroed, Whatley, Trump, George W, Bush, “, ”, John Kane Jr, MAGA, muscling Whatley, Ronna McDaniel, Joe Biden, Sigal Chattah, Whatley's, Jesse Helms, ” Whatley, Sen, Elizabeth Dole, HBW, Anderson Clayton, Pope, Donald Trump's Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican National Committee, North, North Carolina GOP, longtime Washington, RNC, Trump, McDaniel’s, Watauga High School, Notre Dame, Republicans, Conservative Political, Department of Energy, North Carolina Republican, Patriot, Resources, Keystone XL, U.S, Consumer Energy Alliance, Chevron, ExxonMobil, British Petroleum, North Carolina Republican Party, Republican Party, North Carolina Democratic Party, Democratic National Committee, Republican National Locations: North Carolina, Whatley's, Nevada, Notre, Washington, Broward County , Florida, Bush's, Alberta, Canada, Ohio , Wisconsin, South Carolina, Carolina

But the major railroads hauled slightly fewer containers than a year ago and 11% fewer containers than four years earlier. The strong growth in manufacturing activity between the middle of 2020 and middle of 2022 was a rebound following the disruption caused by the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdowns. Since then spending has rotated back towards services and there has been little if any expansion in the manufacturing sector. Chartbook: U.S. manufacturing activityLack of growth is evident in industrial energy consumption. Three-quarters of all distillate fuel oils such as diesel are consumed in freight and manufacturing, according to data from the Energy Information Administration.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Jobs, John Kemp, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Energy Information Administration, Thomson, Reuters Locations: IceStone, New York City , New York, U.S, Europe, China, doldrums

Strikes at car and truck plants are likely to have a widespread impact on manufacturing activity given their large supply chains. Energy consumption by industrial users steadied over the third quarter, which was consistent with the worst of the manufacturing downturn being over. The stabilisation of both diesel and industrial electricity sales in the summer was consistent with manufacturing activity steadying ahead of a renewed expansion. Because the industrial downturn has been long but shallow, distillate inventories remain well below the long-term seasonal average. Return to expansion would likely cause diesel stocks to deplete rapidly and put upward pressure on industrial prices quickly.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, John Kemp, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Institute, Supply, Federal Reserve, Global, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: IceStone, New York City , New York, U.S, Chartbook

Gas accounted for around 51% of Italy's total electricity generation in 2022, making the country the most gas-reliant among Europe's largest economies, data from Ember shows. INDUSTRIAL BASEKey to natural gas' staying power in Italy's generation mix is the country's high level of industrial energy demand. However, Italy's power costs have climbed sharply since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 cut natural gas supplies to Western Europe and sent regional power costs soaring. This week's ENI deal offers additional protection for consumers by further reducing Italy's reliance on Russia for natural gas supplies, even as it cements Qatar's position as Italy's top LNG supplier. Higher gas supplies may also help reduce overall power costs, and in turn should help boost the competitiveness of Italy-based businesses relative to regional rivals.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Gavin Maguire, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Italy's ENI SpA, Gas, Energy Institute, United States, Department of Commerce, LSEG, ENI, Reuters, Thomson Locations: LITTLETON , Colorado, QatarEnergy, Southern, Italy, Europe Italy, Europe, United, Ukraine, Western Europe, Germany, Russia, United States, Algeria, Qatar

Renewed manufacturing growth will boost industrial energy consumption, especially for diesel, but with inventories still low, prices are set to escalate rapidly, rekindling concerns about inflation. SOFT LANDING? The mid-cycle slowdown or “soft landing” of 1989/90 and the cycle-ending “hard landing” of 1990/91 are usually considered as one episode. Blinder has argued the Federal Reserve would have achieved a soft landing if oil prices had not spiked for unrelated reasons. Related columns:- Global diesel shortage boosts prices (September 13, 2023)- Prolonged U.S. manufacturing slowdown barely dents energy use (September 5, 2023)- U.S. diesel prices surge anticipating a soft landing (August 11, 2023)- U.S. manufacturing slowdown fails to rebuild diesel stocks (August 2, 2023)John Kemp is a Reuters market analyst.

Persons: Bing Guan, Alan Blinder, Blinder, Saddam Hussein’s, ”, Saddam Hussein, Alan Greenspan, John Kemp, Alexander Smith Organizations: Angeles Refinery, California Air Resources Board, Institute, Supply, Federal Reserve, Reserve, Global, U.S, Thomson, Reuters Locations: Angeles, California, Carson , California, U.S, Kuwait, Blinder, United States, Europe, China

☆ Column: India milestone shows its power emissions will surpass Europe's permanently
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

High-tension power lines are pictured outside a Tata Power sub station in the suburbs of Mumbai, India, August 8, 2017. At the same time, India's power emissions climbed 4.5% to new highs on the back of record use of high-polluting coal, which generates roughly 75% of India's electricity. SOFT PATCH/HIGH POINT OVERLAPDuring the April-June window, when India's emissions exceeded Europe's, India's total power use levels rose on high demand for air conditioning in the hottest months of the year. These conflicting approaches to energy sector management reflect the starkly different developmental phases of each market. India's government has established ambitious long-term goals for boosting renewable energy generation and lowering power sector emissions.

Persons: Shailesh Andrade, RC1F247F86F0, Gavin Maguire, Muralikumar Organizations: Tata Power, REUTERS, Union, Spain, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, LITTLETON , Colorado, Europe, pare, Ukraine

☆ Bill Gates-backed Antora is making big batteries to help factories transition to clean energy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Diana Olick | In Dianaolick | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Now, companies like Form Energy, AtmosZero and a Silicon Valley-based startup called Antora Energy are tackling the challenge with more affordable battery technology. "Because of that we're able to store energy at much lower costs." Christina Karapataki of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, which was founded by Bill Gates, says this business could be particularly lucrative. There are now about a dozen thermal energy storage companies using sand, rock, brick or other types of ceramic to store energy as heat. Along with funding from Breakthrough energy, Antora is also backed by Chris Sacca's Lowercarbon Capital, Shell Ventures, BHP Ventures, Grok Ventures and Trust Ventures.

Persons: We've, Justin Briggs, We're, Briggs, Christina Karapataki, Bill Gates, Karapataki, Antora, Chris Sacca's Organizations: Energy, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Shell Ventures, BHP Ventures, Grok Ventures, Trust Ventures Locations: Fresno , California

LONDON, July 4 (Reuters) - U.S. manufacturers reported another widespread decline in business activity during June, which continued to weigh down industrial energy consumption and prices. Chartbook: U.S. industrial energy useThe forward-looking new orders component rose to 45.6 (9th percentile) in June up from 42.6 (6th percentile) in May but was still down from 49.2 (19th percentile) a year ago. ENERGY CONSUMPTIONIndustrial energy consumption is closely correlated with the manufacturing and freight cycle. Softness in diesel and electricity consumption is consistent with the moderate but persistent downturn in manufacturing evident in ISM surveys since the middle of 2022. It has helped take some of the pressure off diesel and electricity supplies and reversed the previous upward trend in prices.

Persons: John Kemp, David Holmes Organizations: Institute, Supply, Business, Institute for Supply Management, Manufacturers, U.S . Energy Information, Thomson, Reuters Locations: U.S, United States, doldrums

Expressed in terms of annualised run-rates, China's output of 39.9 million tonnes last month was the lowest in a year and down by 1.6 million tonnes from August's record 41.5 million. China's aluminium production is now highly dependent on weather patterns in the south of the country. China's average daily aluminium output and monthly annualised changePRAYING FOR RAINYunnan province accounts for around 12% of China's aluminium capacity and produced 4.2 million tonnes in 2022. WESTERN PRODUCTION FLAT-LINESPrimary aluminium production outside of China was flat year-on-year in the first quarter. WEATHER WATCHHowever, China's dominant position in the global aluminium picture means that it holds the key to future production patterns.

☆ How Electrifying Everything Became a Key Climate Solution
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Nadja Popovich | Brad Plumer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +19 min

Water heating Air conditioning Space heating Refrigeration Washing and dry. Refrigeration Air conditioning 16% electric Water heating 99% Refrigeration Air conditioning Residential Cooking Space heating Refrigeration Other 96% Lighting and electronics Lighting and elec. Cooking 2021 Current Electricity Use Electricity as percent of total energy consumed in 2021 36% Water heating Space heating Washing and dry. Cooking 2050 Net Zero Pathway Electricity as percent of total energy consumed in a high-electrification scenario Water heating Space heating 63% Washing and dry. Air conditioning Refrigeration Other Air conditioning Water heating 99% Refrigeration Space heating 96% Other Lighting and electronics Lighting and elec.

☆ Column: Peak emissions hopes to be tested as China & Europe crank output
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Industries in both regions were impaired in 2022 by repeated COVID-19 lockdowns in China and a power crisis in Europe, which resulted in sharp cuts to their combined industrial output. Even so, China and Europe still lifted fossil fuel power emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) to a record 5.99 billion tonnes in 2022, Ember data shows, which is a testament to their combined polluting heft even during times of economic distress. Power sector emissions from fossil fuelsIn 2023, the economies of China and Europe are expected to return to growth paths as factories and production lines dial up output from the subdued levels of last year, resulting in higher overall energy use. That may lift emissions even higher, and confound expectations for drops in fossil fuel pollution levels going forward. German production of steel, chemicals and fertilizers have all climbed in early 2023 after having fallen precipitously during 2022 when power prices surged.

☆ Goldman predicts clean hydrogen will be a $1 trillion market. Here's how to play it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Pia Singh | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

In the race to reduce global carbon emissions to zero, clean hydrogen is increasingly expected to be a winner. As the costs of renewable power falls, green hydrogen is becoming a better solution to decarbonization, Goldman said. How to play it Goldman said buy-rated First Solar is among the key players in the generation of green hydrogen. Experts say the tax credit makes nuclear hydrogen highly competitive with fossil fuel produced hydrogen, as companies can look to make clean hydrogen without losing any money. Goldman identified both Air Products & Chemicals and Linde as integrated clean hydrogen supply chain players.

As a result, investors have lowered their expectations for future interest rate hikes. Equities have recovered: the S&P 500 benchmark of leading stocks is up more than 5% in the past three months, boosting the paper wealth of many Davos executives and financiers. Companies typically cut back on investment in a downturn, but big groups have reasons to keep spending. Higher interest rates will prove more painful as households deplete savings built up during the pandemic. The Davos conflab has a well-deserved reputation for delivering a consensus which turns out to be wrong in the 12 months that follow.

Baker is the first oilfield services firm to report quarterly results, and its beat bodes well for rivals Schlumberger (SLB.N) and Halliburton (HAL.N), both of which report in coming days. On an adjusted basis, Baker Hughes posted a profit of $264 million, or 26 cents a share, up from $141 million a year earlier. The profit topped analysts' forecasts for around 24 cents per share, according to Refinitiv data. The company anticipates double-digit revenue growth in its international oilfield services business in 2023 and modest growth in its North America business, driven largely by public firms. Its oilfield business segments accounted for about 63% of its revenue during the quarter through September.

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