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☆ The Auto Makers Cry for EV Mercy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Journal Editorial Report: The week's best and worst from Dan Henninger, Mary O’Grady and Kim Strassel. Images: Reuters/AFP/Getty Images/Bloomberg News Composite: Mark KellyGeneral Motors last week said it is delaying electric pick-up truck production in Michigan, citing slowing demand for EVs and the need to make them more profitable. But the Biden Administration’s back-door EV mandate is ironically causing trouble for its plans for green-vehicle investment. On Sept. 14, the day before the United Auto Workers launched its strike, the Energy Department sent letters to Ford, General Motors and Stellantis asking for help understanding “specific challenges” to its proposed rule that would reduce the credits under the corporate average fuel economy (Cafe) standards for producing electric vehicles.

Persons: Dan Henninger, Mary O’Grady, Kim Strassel, Mark Kelly General, Biden, Ford, ” Organizations: AFP, Getty, Bloomberg, Mark Kelly General Motors, United Auto Workers, Energy Department, General Motors Locations: Michigan

☆ Student-loan borrowers could lose more than debt cancellation if the presidential election doesn't go Biden's way
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2024 presidential election is quickly approaching — and there's a lot on the line for student-loan borrowers. While most federal borrowers were not required to make any payments for nearly three years of President Joe Biden's first term, they were also hopeful for broad debt relief. Now the Education Department is in the process of crafting a new plan under a different law. Here's what Republican presidential candidates are saying about the Education Department — and how it could impact millions of student-loan borrowers. And while private banks administer non-federal loans, borrowers with private debt often face higher interest rates without the option for federal relief.

Persons: —, Joe Biden's, Biden, Donald Trump's, Betsy DeVos, Ron DeSantis, Education Department —, Nikki Haley, Tim Scott, Chris Christie, Vivek Ramaswamy, Ramaswamy, Thomas Massie, Massie, Pell, Ronald Reagan Organizations: Department, GOP, Education Department, Service, Republican, Federal Department of Education, of Education, Education Department —, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Commerce, Energy Department, Education, Washington, Federal Locations: Florida, Washington ,

☆ US stock trade mixed as key bond yields near 5% and oil spikes again on Middle East conflict fears
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

US stocks opened mixed on Friday, as the 10-year Treasury yield hovered just below 5%. Oil prices rose and are on pace for a second week of gains as conflict in the Middle East continues. A US Navy destroyer also shot down missiles launched from Yemen that could have been headed for Israel. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementUS stocks opened mixed on Friday as the yield on the 10-year Treasury hovered just below 5% while oil prices rose amid fears the Israel-Hamas conflict could spread.

Persons: —, Michael Reinking, Reinking Organizations: Treasury, US Navy, Service, Energy, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, NYSE, Dow Jones Locations: Yemen, Israel, Gaza

Fluctuations since the attack pushed oil prices as high as $96. Until something like that happens, “the oil market is going to be like everyone else, monitoring the events in the Middle East,” Lipow said. One reason 1970s-style gas lines are unlikely: U.S. oil production is at an all-time high. Weekly domestic oil production has doubled from the first week in October 2012 to now. Lawmakers from both parties have urged Biden to block Iranian oil sales, seeking to dry up one of the regime’s key sources of funding.

Persons: ” Fatih Birol, ”, Andrew Lipow, ” Lipow, Mike Sommers, Sommers, “ America’s, “, Joe Biden's, Israel, Biden, Sofia Guidi Di Sante, Wyoming Sen, John Barrasso, “ Joe, Barrasso, ____ McHugh, Choe Organizations: WASHINGTON, International Energy Agency, ”, Associated Press, Brent, Lipow Oil Associates, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Energy Department, American Petroleum Institute, Hudson Institute, Commerzbank, Oil, Rystad Energy, Republican, Senate Energy, Natural Resources Committee, Democratic, Keystone XL, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, The Energy Department, The Treasury Department, Treasury Locations: East, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Paris, Gaza, Iran, Houston, Hormuz, U.S, Europe, Washington, OPEC, Lebanon, Venezuela, The U.S, Wyoming, America, Frankfurt, Germany, New York

☆ Hydrogen Demand Is Set to Boom, but Growth Faces Big Hurdles
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Yusuf Khan | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +5 min

A new report from consulting firm McKinsey forecasts a fivefold rise in hydrogen demand to 600 million metric tons a year by 2050, if climate change is limited to 1.5 degree Celsius. Using green hydrogen as fuel for steelmaking can cut emissions by up to 95%, according to H2 Green Steel, a Swedish low-carbon steel startup. Higher interest rates have made securing funding for big infrastructure projects more expensive, with fewer willing to put up the cash, according to Franc. Last week, $7 billion of subsidies dedicated to hydrogen projects in the U.S. were announced by the Energy Department. Faster permitting times are needed to bring more hydrogen projects online, as well as the renewable energy to power their electrolyzers, industry experts say.

Persons: BRIDGET BENNETT, ”, Pierre, Etienne Franc, ” Franc, Jason Cheng, Regulators haven’t, Margery Ryan, Johnson, Todd Anderson, Bram Smeets, Ole Rolser, you’ve, Ryan, “, Yusuf Khan Organizations: REUTERS, McKinsey, Business, Green, ”, Platinum Investment, Energy Department, Regulators, The Wall, International Energy Agency, U.S, Dakotas Locations: Las, Swedish, Franc, U.S, Woodbine , Ga, Midwest, Texas, West, Gulf Coasts

☆ US oil production just hit an all-time high. 'Millions of people will die,' if this trend continues, a Stanford climate scientist said.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Seth Borenstein | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

US oil production reached an all-time high last week at 13.2 million barrels per day. If this trend continues, "millions of people will die," Stanford climate scientist Rob Jackson said. And it conflicts with oft-repeated Republican talking points of a Biden "war on American energy." Weekly domestic oil production has doubled from the first week in October 2012 to now. US oil production reached an all time high recently.

Persons: Biden, Rob Jackson, Bill Hare, Hare, John Sterman, Jackson, Samantha Gross, Gross, Stanford's Jackson, Joe Biden, Susan Walsh Biden's, Jared Bernstein, Bernstein, They've, Joshua Boak Organizations: Service, United, Biden, U.S . Department of Energy's Energy, Administration, United Nations, United Arab Emirates, Exxon, Mobil, Cote d'Ivorie, Climate Interactive, Stanford University, Carbon, White, Brookings Institution, Energy, EIA, AP, American Energy, Republican, House Energy, Commerce, White House Council, Economic Advisers, Wildlife Locations: Stanford, United States, Norway, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Shell, Guyana, Cote, Saudi Arabia, Alaska, Washington ,

☆ Tesla urges US to adopt much tougher fuel efficiency rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Victoria Klesty/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla (TSLA.O) on Tuesday urged the Biden administration to finalize much tougher fuel economy standards through 2032 than U.S. regulators have proposed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in July proposed raising Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) car requirements by 2% and by 4% for trucks and SUVs annually between 2027 and 2032. The NHTSA's proposal would result in a fleet-wide average fuel efficiency of 58 miles (93 km) per gallon by 2032. On Monday a group representing General Motors (GM.N), Toyota Motor (7203.T), Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) and nearly all other major automakers sharply criticized NHTSA's proposal, saying it is unreasonable and requested significant revisions. U.S. automakers separately have warned the fines would cost GM $6.5 billion, Stellantis $3.1 billion and Ford $1 billion, citing NHTSA's projections.

Persons: Biden, Tesla, David Shepardson, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Traffic Safety Administration, General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, American Automotive Policy Council, Detroit Three, NHTSA, Ford, GM, Chrysler, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, U.S, Energy, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Norway, Victoria, NHTSA's

☆ Automakers blast US plan to hike fuel efficiency rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) proposal was unreasonable and requested significant revisions. The auto alliance said last month automakers would face more than $14 billion in non-compliance penalties between 2027 and 2032. Automakers also raised alarm at the Energy Department's proposal to significantly revise how it calculates the petroleum-equivalent fuel economy rating for EVs in NHTSA's CAFE program, saying it would "devalue the fuel economy of electric vehicles by 72%." GM said on Monday it could support NHTSA's proposal if the Energy Department rescinded its petroleum-equivalent proposal. Automakers and the United Auto Workers union have previously also complained parallel rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency are not feasible and should be significantly softened.

Persons: Jorge Duenes, Biden, David Shepardson, Jamie Freed Organizations: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Rights, General Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, NHTSA, American Automotive Policy Council, Detroit Three, Ford, GM, Chrysler, U.S, Energy, Energy Department, Subaru, United Auto Workers, Environmental Protection Agency, Thomson Locations: Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico, NHTSA's, KS

☆ The Strategic Petroleum Reserve 'would be harder to use,' and the only buffer for oil markets is Middle East production, energy expert says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Aruni Soni | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The SPR "would be harder to use" to balance a spike in oil prices, energy expert Dan Yergin said. The S&P Global vice chairman said that oil prices can spike if the Israel-Hamas war escalates. The SPR, the world's largest reserve of emergency crude oil, is usually used to stabilize disruptions in oil supply. Saudi Arabia, along with Russia, has been cutting crude oil production in an effort to eliminate price "distortions" in the market. In fact, US oil production surged to a record high of 13.2 million barrels a day earlier this month.

Persons: Dan Yergin, —, Yergin Organizations: P Global, Service, CNBC, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Energy Department, Energy Information Administration Yergin Locations: Israel, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, Texas, OPEC, China

☆ US oil is back, and ExxonMobil's $60 billion deal isn't even the biggest signal
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Tim Mullaney | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The news came a day after a $60 billion deal between Exxon Mobil and independent oil producer Pioneer Natural Resources . Monthly production topped out at 13 million barrels per day in November 2019 and hit 9.9 million by February 2021. And offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico recovered to 2 million barrels a day, but hasn't grown. Where oil companies have been spending their money U.S. oil companies cut capital spending to $106.6 billion last year from $199.7 billion in 2014, according to Statista, contributing to the decline in oil production and arguably delaying the recovery. According to Energy Department data, oil and gas companies paid out about $75 billion per quarter in the last year.

Persons: Brittany Sowacke, Rob Thummel, hasn't, what's, Thummel, Alexandre Ramos, Jay Hatfield, doesn't, Baker, Hughes, Darren Woods, Woods, Hatfield, Ramos, Peon, aren't Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Energy, U.S . Department of Energy, Exxon Mobil, Natural Resources, Wall, Exxon, Big Oil, America, Rystad Energy, Oil, Infrastructure Capital Advisors, Energy Department, Pioneer, CNBC, Chevron, PDC Energy, Noble Energy, Independent, Global, ExxonMobil, OPEC, Iran Locations: Midland , Texas, Brittany, Kansas City, Mo, U.S, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Alaska, Gulf, Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, New York, American, Hatfield, Israel, Iran

The White House calls clean hydrogen “essential to achieving the president’s vision of a strong clean energy economy" and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 2050. Some environmentalists call hydrogen a false solution because it frequently relies on natural gas or other fossil fuels as feedstocks. Among those selected were the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, based in West Virginia, and the Philadelphia-based Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub. Other projects selected include the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems in California, which will produce hydrogen from renewable energy and biomass. Big fossil fuel companies, renewable energy developers and researchers in university and government labs are involved, too.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden's, Marcellus, Sen, Joe Manchin, Perry Babb, Patty Murray, it’s, ”, Silas Grant, ___ Levy Organizations: WASHINGTON, White House, Energy, Energy Department, Democratic, Philadelphia, The, West Virginia Democrat, Partners, Alliance, Hydrogen Energy Systems, Heartland, Washington, Center for Biological Diversity Locations: Pennsylvania, California, Philadelphia, U.S, California , Washington , Minnesota , Texas , Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, The West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Appalachia, ., Delaware , Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Houston, United States, Minnesota, Midwest, Illinois , Indiana, Michigan, Pacific Northwest, Washington, Pacific, Harrisburg , Pennsylvania

United States domestic oil production hit an all-time high last week, contrasting with efforts to slice heat-trapping carbon emissions by the Biden administration and world leaders. Weekly domestic oil production has doubled from the first week in October 2012 to now. White House officials have long considered increased oil production inside the United States as a bridge to help soften the transition to renewable energy sources. She said U.S. oil is less carbon-intensive than other oil, an argument the UAE’s oil company also makes. “Demand drives production — we need to change the whole system to reduce oil demand.”“Replacing oil in power production is a lot easier than replacing oil in transportation,” Gross said in an email.

Persons: Biden, Bill Hare, Hare, ”, John Sterman, Rob Jackson, “, ” Jackson, Samantha Gross, ” Gross, ” Stanford’s Jackson, ” Jared Bernstein, ” Bernstein, “ They’ve, They’ve, Joshua Boak, ___ Read, Seth Borenstein Organizations: Biden, U.S . Department of Energy’s Energy, Administration, United Nations, United Arab Emirates, Exxon, Mobil, Cote d’Ivorie, Interactive, ” Stanford University, Carbon, White, Brookings Institution, Energy, EIA, Republican, House Energy, Commerce, American Energy, White House Council, Economic Advisers, Wildlife, Associated Press, Washington , D.C, Twitter, AP Locations: U.S, Norway, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Shell, Guyana, Cote, United States, Saudi Arabia, Alaska, Washington ,

The two applicants selected are the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, based in West Virginia, and the Philadelphia-area Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub, according to the person briefed on the plan who was not authorized to publicly discuss it before Biden's appearance and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, or ARCH2, is a partnership involving the state of West Virginia and EQT, the nation’s largest natural gas producer, among others. The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub, or MACH2, is supported by supported by Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as Philadelphia-area labor unions, university researchers and refineries. The Energy Department says the hubs will produce “clean” hydrogen, although its definition includes hydrogen produced with natural gas. Many experts consider hydrogen “clean” only if made through electrolysis.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, it’s, ”, Soni Grant, ” Grant, Matthew Daly, Marc Levy Organizations: Biden, Energy Department, Gas, Center for Biological Diversity, Associated Press Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Philadelphia, West Virginia, Delaware , Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New Mexico, Washington

The hubs are networks of hydrogen producers and consumers that will use local infrastructure to accelerate the deployment of clean hydrogen. The Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub that involves parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey will receive a $750 million grant, according to the sources familiar with the forthcoming announcement. The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) that includes western Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia will also receive one of the grants, according to two sources. The 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill allocated up to $7 billion to launch the initiative, called the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, which will help fund six to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs across the U.S. Each of the proposed regional hub projects involve dozens of partners from energy companies, academia and local and state governments.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Biden, Joe Manchin, Valerie Volcovici, Jarrett Renshaw, Nick Zieminski, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Reuters, Department of Energy, Pennsylvania, White House, Democratic, Energy Department, DOE, Dominion, Battelle, TC Energy, Thomson Locations: Pennsylvania, Appalachian, U.S, Delaware, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Ohio, West Virginia, California, Washington

WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - The Biden administration is expected to announce on Friday the winners of $7 billion in federal grants to build out regional hydrogen hubs, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill allocated up to $7 billion to launch the initiative, called the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program, which will help fund six to 10 regional clean hydrogen hubs across the United States. The hubs have many private and public sector partners and the federal grants are expected to unleash a wave of new state and private sector investment. The administration has also earmarked billions of dollars more in subsidies for hydrogen producers in last year's Inflation Reduction Act. The Philadelphia region is one of the locations vying for a share of the $7 billion in grants.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Jarrett Renshaw, Valerie Volcovici, Richard Valdmanis, Deepa Babington Organizations: Reuters, Energy Department, DOE, Department of Energy, Thomson Locations: California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, United States, Philadelphia

☆ Installing solar isn't the only big financial decision to make about controlling home power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

That means it may be a good time to consider a home backup power storage system. Fossil fuel vs. battery power If you're not opposed to fossil fuel-powered options, there are several categories to consider based on your power needs. EVs as a backup power option for the home Some electrical vehicles can be used to back up essential items, or, in some cases, a whole home. "If you're contemplating spending $10,000 on a whole home gas generator system, why not think about an EV with this capability instead?" Some states provide additional solar battery incentives.

Persons: Ian Thomas Jansen, Lonnquist, Benjamin R, Dierker, Vikram Aggarwal, EnergySage, it's, Aggarwal, EVs, Ford's, Jim Farley, Stephen Pantano, Pantano, Sarah Delisle, Ted Tiffany, Tiffany Organizations: Motors Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, Alliance for Innovation, National Centers for Environmental, Consumers, GM, Ford, Swell Energy, Decarbonization Coalition, of Energy, Homeowners, Energy Department Locations: United States, California , Texas, Louisiana, California, California , Vermont , Massachusetts, New York, America

The hope is to answer many pivotal questions about whether the nation's aging nuclear weapons still work as designed. Political Cartoons View All 1202 ImagesDuring the Cold War, those questions were answered by actually setting off nuclear explosions. The experimental machine the length of a football field eventually will sit 1,000 feet (304 meters) below the ground at the Nevada National Security Site. Custer said above-ground facilities have tested explosive behaviors of other materials but the Scorpius experiments will use real plutonium, which is unique. Assembly testing is planned through most of 2025 before the Nevada site will move the injector underground.

Persons: haven't, Jon Custer, Custer, ” Custer, ”, “, Lawrence, Josh Leckbee, Dave Funk Organizations: —, Energy Department, Sandia, Sandia National Laboratories, , Energy Department, Nevada National Security, Los Alamos National Lab, Lawrence Livermore National Lab Locations: RENO, Nev, Albuquerque , New Mexico, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Las Vegas

☆ Oil prices drop 6% as worries mount over demand destruction
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Matthew Fox | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Oil prices fell 6% on Wednesday as worries grow about lower demand and a slowing economy. Reports surfaced that Russia might end its ban on diesel exports, and oil inventories rose in some areas. AdvertisementAdvertisementUS and Brent oil prices both fell as much as 6% on Wednesday, representing a sharp reversal of an uptrend that began in July. According to JPMorgan, oil could be suffering from demand destruction as a result of the sharp rise in prices this summer, especially as the peak travel season winds down. "Demand destruction has begun (again)," JPMorgan's Natasha Kaneva said in a Wednesday note, adding that "global oil stock draws have ended."

Persons: Natasha Kaneva, —, Brent, Platts, Kaneva Organizations: Service, Brent, West Texas Intermediate, Energy Department, JPMorgan Locations: Russia, Saudi Arabia

☆ GM, Stellantis face $9.5 bln in US fuel economy fines -industry group letter
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The American Automotive Policy Council, representing GM, Stellantis and Ford Motor (F.N), said in a letter to the U.S. Energy Department on Friday that the size of the expected penalties for not meeting proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements are "alarming." DOE wants to significantly revise how it calculates the petroleum-equivalent fuel economy rating for EVs in NHTSA's CAFE program. A group representing nearly all major automakers said last week the industry as a whole could face $14 billion in CAFE fines. Automakers buy credits or pay fines if they cannot meet CAFE requirements. In June, Reuters first reported Stellantis and GM paid a total of $363 million in CAFE fines for failing to meet U.S. fuel economy requirements for prior model years.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, Joe Biden's, Ford, David Shepardson, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio 私たち Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, General Motors, Chrysler, Reuters, The American Automotive Policy, GM, Ford, U.S . Energy Department, Energy Department, DOE, U.S, Detroit, Traffic Safety Administration, Detroit Three Locations: Velizy, Villacoublay, Paris, France, NHTSA's

☆ Goldman Sachs warns US energy policy is backfiring
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

New York CNN Business —America’s emergency oil stockpile has plunged to 40-year lows. It has less levers left in its policy toolkit,” Daan Struyven, head of oil research at Goldman Sachs, told CNN in a phone interview. That’s one reason Goldman Sachs expects oil prices to stay high, averaging $100 a barrel this time next year. Saudi Arabia has an incentive to keep oil prices high in order to balance their budget. “Extremely high prices destroy long-term demand for Saudi barrels,” Struyven said.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Daan Struyven, Biden, ”, Jennifer Granholm, Saudi Arabia’s, “, ” Struyven, Struyven, ” Francisco Blanch, Doug Lawler, “ That’s, ” Lawler, BofA’s Blanch, ” Blanch, ” Goldman’s Struyven, That’s Organizations: New York CNN Business —, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, CNN, Triple, White, Industry, Wall, The Energy Department, ”, Saudi, OPEC, AAA, Aramco, Bank of America, Resources, Bloomberg, Energy Department Locations: Saudi, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi Aramco, OPEC

☆ The US is planning its first fusion plant, and it could generate pollution-free power by 2035
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Nuclear fusion is a breakthrough technology that could help the US achieve pollution-free power. Calling nuclear fusion a pioneering technology, Granholm said President Joe Biden wants to harness fusion as a carbon-free energy source that can power homes and businesses. A successful nuclear fusion was first achieved by researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California last December in a major breakthrough after decades of work. Nuclear energy is an essential component of the Biden administration's goal of achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and net zero emissions economy by 2050. "We want to see everybody moving forward as quickly as possible (on the clean energy transition), including ourselves," she said.

Persons: it's, —, Biden, Jennifer Granholm, Granholm, Joe Biden, It's, Dennis Whyte, Rishi Sunak, Sunak Organizations: Service, US, Associated Press, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Control, Plasma Science, Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Energy, UK Locations: VIENNA, Vienna, California, France, Washington

☆ Gas prices look like they'll get better — but not before getting worse first
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But there are signs that both supply and demand will bring prices back down in the coming months. AAA reported this week that the average price for a gallon of gas in the US was $3.88. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn atypical spike in pricesThe increase in gas prices is unusual, as we typically see some relief after the summer surge as demand wanes. If true, the worries about the impact of rising gas prices on consumer spending and inflation are overblown. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn recent years, with oil prices closer to $70 a barrel, gas prices have typically been close to $3 a gallon.

Persons: Mohamed el, Saudi Arabia's, Mohamed Oun, there's, Jorge León, Mike Wirth, we've, hasn't, Wirth, Grace Smith, David Kelly, We're, Kelly, Citi's, Ed Morse Organizations: Service, AAA, Allianz, Saudi, Reuters, Rystad Energy, US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Biden, Strategic Petroleum Reserve Energy Department, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Chevron, Bloomberg, Denver, MediaNews, Getty, Morgan Asset Management, Citigroup, CNN Locations: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Wall, Silicon, California, Clearwater Beach, Tampa , Florida, Libya, Ukraine, Brazil, Canada, Venezuela, Guyana

The Energy Department has announced a $325 million investment in new battery types that can help turn solar and wind energy into 24-hour power. Batteries are increasingly being used to store surplus renewable energy so that it can be used later, during times when there is no sunlight or wind. The department says the projects will protect more communities from blackouts and make energy more reliable and affordable. “Long-duration battery storage is like a rainy-day savings account for energy storage,” said Jodie Lutkenhaus, professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University. This one is led by the California Energy Commission in collaboration with Faraday Microgrids.

Persons: ”, Christopher Rahn, “, Jodie Lutkenhaus, ” Lutkenhaus, Amanda Smith, Faraday, Rejoule, Infrastructure David Crane, Elisabeth Moyer, ” Rahn Organizations: Energy Department, Pennsylvania State University, Texas, M University, “, Law, Xcel Energy, Energy, Children's, California Energy Commission, Smart Systems, EV, Canada . Energy, Infrastructure, University of Chicago, AP Locations: Lake, American, Minnesota, U.S, California , New York, Hawaii, Becker , Minnesota, Pueblo , Colorado, California's, Madera, Georgia , California, South Carolina, Louisiana, Petaluma , California, Santa Fe , New Mexico, Canada

Biden is trying to turbocharge the market for electric vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent China from solidifying its grip on a growing industry. However, some in the UAW fear the transition will cost jobs because electric vehicles require fewer people to assemble. China is the dominant manufacturer of electric vehicles and batteries. Some environmental groups, conscious of how labor remains crucial to securing support for climate programs, have expressed support for the strike. Former President Donald Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, sees an opportunity to drive a wedge between Biden and workers.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, ”, Erik Gordon, Brittany Eason, Eason, ” Biden, “, Dave Green, ’, Suzanne Clark, Sam Gilchrist, It's, Donald Trump, NBC's “, ” Trump, Shawn Fain, “ That’s, ” Ammar Moussa, Trump, Barack Obama, Fain, Madeline Janis, Joey Cappelletti Organizations: WASHINGTON, United Auto Workers, UAW, University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Ford Assembly Plant, White, ”, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Natural Resources Defense, Presidential, Republican, Press, MSNBC, Energy Department, Ford, South, White House, Associated Locations: Michigan, China, Wayne, Mich, Detroit, Ohio, Indiana, U.S, United States, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Korean, Lansing

☆ Biden vows to cut US gasoline prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on his economic agenda at Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland, U.S. September 14, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Acquire Licensing RightsLARGO, Maryland, Sept 14 (Reuters) - President Joe Biden vowed on Thursday to get U.S. gasoline prices down, one day after a report showed consumer inflation surged by the most in 14 months due to higher energy costs. KEY QUOTE"I'm going to get those gas prices down again, I promise you," Biden told an audience in Largo, Maryland, during a speech on the economy. Consumer prices rose 3.7% over the last year, though the rate of inflation has slowed in recent months. * Gasoline prices jumped 10.6% in August after climbing 0.2% in July, accounting for more than half the increase in the Consumer Price Index.

Persons: Joe Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Andrea Shalal, Jarrett Renshaw, Trevor Hunnicutt, Leslie Adler, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Prince George's Community College, REUTERS, AAA, U.S . Energy Department, Biden, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Thomson Locations: Largo , Maryland, U.S, LARGO , Maryland, United States

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