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☆ Column: Europe's industry to feel the sting of high & rising carbon costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

EU carbon credit pricesTwo-thirds of Europe's emissions stem from just three sectors: energy supply (24.2%), domestic transport (20.7%) and industry (20.7%), according to European Environment Agency (EEA) data from 2020, the latest available. Industry accounts for 25% of Germany's total energy consumption, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), so any successful retooling of Germany's energy systems will likely set trends across Europe. That would mark a 42% drop in only 8 years, and compares to an 18.7% reduction in total emissions from 2010 to 2022. However, given the expected shuttering of Germany's remaining coal plants and least efficient gas-fed power stations, the energy sector's target may be reachable. Germany industry energy use by power sourceCertain sectors are banking on the roll-out of clean hydrogen for use as a fuel instead of natural gas.

☆ Column: More to Spain and Portugal's power markets than Iberian Exception
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

CLEAN POWER CRITICAL MASSWhile a majority of energy market focus in 2022 stayed on the impact of surging natural gas prices, Spain and Portugal quietly scaled new highs in terms of clean power generation. REWRITING THE RULESThe negotiations for the Iberian Exception were a messy affair involving bureaucrats from across Europe. As a majority of Europe's power system runs off natural gas, the surge in natural gas prices had a commensurate effect on electricity costs throughout the EU last year. PRICE IMPACTThe exception was implemented in Iberian power markets from June 2022, and resulted in a steady decline in Spanish and Portuguese power prices from then on. Spain vs Europe power pricesIn turn, this allowed power prices in Spain to average roughly 40%-45% less than those in Germany, the Netherlands and France over the latter half of 2022.

☆ Column: South Asia's LNG import appetite on radar after price plunge
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | 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

LNG imports by regionA key factor that complicates the outlook for South Asian LNG demand is how cost-sensitive buyers are across the region. In 2022, South Asian imports of LNG dropped by their most on record in response to the steep climb in LNG prices to record highs, ship tracking data from Kpler shows. FUEL MISMATCHThe 16.5% drop in LNG imports in 2022 from 2021 was the first annual decline in South Asia's LNG imports since 2013, according to ship tracking data from Kpler. That reversed a declining trend in coal imports into South Asia since 2019, and pushed up coal purchases by more than any other region last year. South Asia LNG imports vs benchmark LNG pricesIndia relies on imports for roughly half of its natural gas supplies, mainly in the form of LNG, so higher LNG imports look likely at least until the coal ban is eased.

☆ Column: Fantasy league matchmaking between oil majors and transition upstarts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

But the eye-catching headline numbers also drew scrutiny from climate trackers and policymakers anxious to see fossil fuel majors show leadership in the renewable energy field. Reuters GraphicsSome of so-called Big 5 majors, especially Europe-based firms BP (BP.L), Shell (SHEL.L) and TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), already boast major business segments tied to renewable energy. Big exposure to U.S.-based production assets, along with lucrative export streams of oil, gas and fuel were key drivers behind the outsized earnings of U.S. firms. Both firms operate at the front edge of the energy transition in different sectors, and present potentially appealing entry points for majors seeking access to fast-growing specialist areas. As the largest utility company in the United States, the firm is already in the starting line-up for any energy sector discussion.

☆ Column: India's economy - and emissions - primed for big jumps in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | 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

Climate trackers will be alarmed by such a robust outlook, as India's power sector already spewed out near record emissions in 2022 when its economy was stuck in a lower gear, and will likely elevate pollution totals further as momentum builds. RECORD USE OF COALIndia's power sector emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and equivalent gases are on track for a record in 2022, according to data from think tank Ember. The emissions tally for January through November - the latest monthly data available - is 7.5% above the same period in 2021, which registered a record annual power sector emissions total of 1.091 billion tonnes. Strong, sustained electricity demand from households, retail outlets and offices - mainly for air conditioners - helped push India's overall electricity demand higher in 2022, despite the soft showing from manufacturers. India's electricity generation and emissions scale record highs in 2022Total electricity generation through November increased by 8.3% from the year before, indicating that India's power producers successfully deployed larger amounts of new clean power in 2022 (up 13.3%) than new fossil-fuel power (up 6.7%).

☆ Rep. Joe Neguse: We will extend an open hand to Republicans to get bipartisan work done
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRep. Joe Neguse: We will extend an open hand to Republicans to get bipartisan work doneRep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Democratic Policy and Communications Committee chair, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the bipartisan work Neguse has done, what Neguse will try to accomplish, and more.

☆ TikTok Dealt Another Hit as Democratic Senator Joins Calls for Banning the App
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—Another prominent Democrat has joined Republicans seeking to hobble TikTok, with Sen. Michael Bennet (D., Colo.) calling on Apple Inc. and Google to bar the Chinese-owned video platform from their app stores. Republicans have been the most outspoken critics of TikTok, but in recent weeks, Democrat Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois joined with Republicans to sponsor legislation to ban TikTok outright.

☆ Dem. Senator Michael Bennet asks Google and Apple to remove TikTok from their app stores
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Julia Boorstin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailDem. Senator Michael Bennet asks Google and Apple to remove TikTok from their app storesSen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) has urged Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their mobile app stores. CNBC's Julia Boorstin joins 'The Exchange' with the detail.

☆ Republicans vote to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Scott Wong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

House Republicans on Thursday voted to oust Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., from the Foreign Affairs Committee — the latest skirmish in a long-running partisan battle over committee assignments. One Republican, Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, a senior member of the Ethics Committee, voted present. All 211 Democrats unified behind Omar, who gave an emotional and defiant floor speech before the vote that left many of her colleagues in tears. Last week, several Republicans voiced opposition to the GOP taking action against Omar, threatening to derail the vote given their new, razor-thin majority. Moments before the vote, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, the lone GOP holdout, emerged from McCarthy's office and announced she would also vote yes.

☆ Apple and Google should boot TikTok from their app stores, Democratic senator urges
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., urged the CEOs of Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their mobile app stores immediately in a letter on Thursday, citing widespread concerns that the Chinese government could access information on Americans using the app. "These obvious risks render TikTok, in its current form, an unacceptable threat to the national security of the United States." TikTok has repeatedly sought to reassure concerned American lawmakers and officials that it does not store U.S. user data in China. It has also been negotiating with the U.S. government about how it can mitigate potential national security risks while continuing to operate here. "Unfortunately, Senator Bennet's letter relies almost exclusively on misleading reporting about TikTok, the data we collect, and our data security controls," TikTok spokesperson Brooke Oberwetter said in a statement.

☆ Amazon Cited by Labor Department for Hazards at Three Additional Warehouses
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Sebastian Herrera | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Amazon distribution facility in Aurora, Colo., was among the workplaces cited for safety violations. Federal labor authorities have cited Amazon.com Inc. for safety violations at three of its warehouses, adding to previous citations the company has faced in a broad review of its workplace practices. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday it issued citations to Amazon following inspections at facilities in Aurora, Colo., Nampa, Idaho, and Castleton, N.Y. The citations follow three recent citations by the department at different Amazon sites in Florida, Illinois and New York for similar safety issues.

☆ Column: Europe needs France to get its nuclear act together in 2023: Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | 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

LITTLETON, Colo., Feb 1 (Reuters) - A steep drop in France's nuclear power output in 2022 exacerbated Europe's power crisis by forcing French utilities to flip from net power exporters to importers just as Russia's invasion of Ukraine snarled energy markets across the continent. POWERING UPSo far in 2023, France's nuclear power output remains 17.5% below the average from 2020 and 2021, Refinitiv data shows, due in part to strikes against planned pension reforms for unionised workers. Even if average output remains below that previous target, any sustained increase in nuclear production from 2022 totals stands to have an impact on local power prices, as well as France's overall power import needs. For example, in December, some previously curtailed reactors resumed operations and that boosted national nuclear output by 40% from the average of the previous eight months, Refinitiv data shows. France seasonal nuclear power outputReporting By Gavin Maguire; Editing by Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Column: Germany needs more baseload power for vital industrial reboot
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | 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

Germany output of key industrial productsOther major employers, including steel firms and fertilizer makers, have also been forced to aggressively throttle back production. Germany's power producers have also aggressively ramped up power from intermittent renewable sources, with solar and wind generation totals both rising by more than 50% since 2015. TRIPLE WHAMMYIn 2022, Germany's power sector was roiled on multiple fronts as gas supplies dried up due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict just as dry conditions reduced hydro power and planned reactor shutdowns curbed nuclear power supplies. But Germany's renowned manufacturing economy will not be able to return to its previous dominant position without abundant baseload power. Related columns: Germany energy transition needs faster CO2 cuts from autos, industryThe opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.

☆ Colorado supermarket shooting suspect remains unfit for trial, judge says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

BOULDER, Colo. — A man charged with killing 10 people at a Colorado supermarket nearly two years ago remains mentally incompetent to stand trial, a judge said Friday. Bakke said the latest report from the hospital finding Alissa incompetent also said he has a “reasonable likelihood” of reaching competency, an outlook also expressed in previous reports. Concerns about Alissa’s mental health were raised by his defense immediately after the March 2021 shooting. Competency is a different legal issue than a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, which involves whether someone’s mental health prevented them from understanding right from wrong when a crime was committed. They said Alissa passed a background check to legally buy a Ruger AR-556 pistol six days before the shooting.

☆ 'Bellyaching': Democratic unity defending Biden begins to see defections
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Peter Nicholas Is Senior White House Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

WASHINGTON — A Democratic push to discredit the congressional Republicans who are launching a slew of investigations into President Joe Biden may be fracturing because of an unexpected obstacle: fellow Democrats. And former Vice President Mike Pence revealed this week that he, too, had discovered classified documents in his Indiana home. On Capitol Hill, House Republicans have opened an oversight inquiry into Biden’s handling of the records. (Both the White House and the Secret Service said they don’t keep such records for his personal residence.) The White House counsel’s office now has a communications arm to quickly respond to Republican allegations of presidential wrongdoing.

☆ The DOJ's antitrust case against Google is ambitious but risky
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

But alongside the possibility of great reward comes significant risk in seeking to push the boundaries of antitrust law. "All antitrust cases are an uphill battle for plaintiffs, thanks to 40 years of case law," said Rebecca Haw Allensworth, an antitrust professor at Vanderbilt Law School. But, Allensworth added, the government's challenges may be different than those in many other antitrust cases. Like all antitrust cases, this one is unlikely to be concluded anytime soon. "This is clearly the blockbuster case so far from the DOJ antitrust division," Francis said.

☆ In 2023, Your Heating Pad Should Give You More Than Heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Ashley Mateo | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

FEELING HOT HOT HOT This new release from Therabody provides localized heat therapy and massage directly on your knee, a proven technique for alleviating knee pain and improving range of motion. Massimo Alpian, 40, first turned to heat therapy in 2018 to deal with the tightness and spasms caused by a lingering hip injury. Plug-in heating pads and single-use adhesive heat patches helped the Boulder, Colo.-based communications director cope while waiting to schedule surgery. This fall, he purchased the Hyperice Venom Go, a reusable adhesive patch that warms up when connected to a rechargeable magnetic pod. Postsurgery, Mr. Alpian used the patch on his shoulders to relieve pressure from crutches and lower back pain from sitting.

LITTLETON, Colo. Jan 25 (Reuters) - The world's top thermal coal exporter shocked global markets a year ago by temporarily banning coal exports to protect domestic power producers, sending coal prices soaring and kicking off an historically volatile year for coal and other power fuels. For 2022 as a whole, total Indonesian thermal coal exports hit 448.5 million tonnes, a record sum that was 56 million tonnes (14.4%) larger than 2021's total, ship tracking data from Kpler shows. However, there are several factors in play in 2023 that may lift demand for Indonesian coal over the coming months. The planned implementation of energy product sanctions on Russia by the European Union this year is another factor likely to support global coal demand. India's tight domestic coal stockpiles are another bullish factor supporting Indonesia's coal export potential.

☆ Mass Shootings in the U.S.: A Symptom of Despair - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Jillian Peterson | James Densley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +23 min

Seven killed and 46 injured in Highland Park, Ill., on July 4, 2022He suffered from severe back pain. Eight killed and seven injured in Indianapolis on April 15, 2021He was known for being paranoid with a short temper. Five killed and seven injured in Aurora, Ill., on Feb. 15, 2019He had expressed violent thoughts. Nine killed and seven injured in Red Lake, Minn., on March 21, 2005He had been noticeably depressed and angry at church. Seven killed and seven injured in Fort Worth on Sept. 15, 1999He killed his daughter’s cat because he was upset.

☆ You Call That Snow?! See How This Winter Stacks Up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Francesca Paris | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

If so, you’re not alone: It has been a dreary winter for children hoping for snow days and grown-up snow enthusiasts alike on the East Coast. More than 50 years of snowfall in … Interactive line chart showing cumulative snowfall for each winter season over 50 years, as well as the median snowfall for all seasons. Line chart showing Philadelphia’s cumulative snowfall for each winter season over 50 years. Loading dataLine chart showing Boston’s cumulative snowfall for each winter season over 50 years. Milwaukee Pittsburgh Providence, R.I. Pueblo, Colo. Richmond, Va. Rockford, Ill. St. Louis Topeka, Kan. About normal snow Anchorage Boise, Idaho Colorado Springs Columbia, Mo.

☆ Column: North Asia cranks coal imports to fuel industrial reboot
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | 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

LITTLETON, Colo. Jan 24 (Reuters) - Thermal coal imports into China, Japan and South Korea - three of the world's largest coal users - hit their highest combined total in 16 months in December as the North Asian manufacturing powerhouses primed their economies for growth in 2023. Economic momentum in these countries - which collectively accounted for nearly half of all thermal coal imports in 2021 - was subdued in 2022 as China's strict zero-COVID measures stifled industrial activity across the world's largest manufacturing base. Combined thermal coal imports by the three countries totalled 43 million tonnes in December 2022, the highest monthly tally since August 2021, ship-tracking data from Kpler shows. China output of key industrial inputsOne such key end user is Asia's car production industry, which started to show signs of growth as of the latest data from late 2022 across China, Japan and South Korea. Japan passenger car exports by key marketIn sum, the combination of more freedom of movement in China and greater industrial activity across North Asia should spur an improvement in global economic growth in 2023.

WASHINGTON — Conservative hard-liners are consolidating power in the narrow new House majority, presenting early challenges for Republicans in swing districts ahead of the 2024 election as Democrats seek to paint the entire party as beholden to extremists. Twenty House GOP hard-liners have set the tone, extracting a series of concessions from Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to change House rules while securing plum committee assignments and winning assurances about advancing their legislative priorities. “If you can’t win independent voters, you can’t win elections.”Democrats are targeting 25 districts to win back the House majority next year, including 18 Republican-held seats that Biden carried in 2020. In the narrow Republican majority, McCarthy has only four votes to spare before he requires Democratic support to pass measures. Lance, the former congressman, argued that renominating former President Donald Trump could cost Republicans the House.

☆ Five officers and medics plead in death of Elijah McClain, who was injected with ketamine while handcuffed
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Deon J. Hampton | Deon J. Hampton Is A National Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Woodyard, who placed McClain in a chokehold, forcing him into unconsciousness, will be tried alone. That night, three Aurora police officers responded to a report of a suspicious person wearing a mask and waving his arms. Police body camera video released later showed officers ordering McClain to stop. He responded that he was an introvert and to “please respect the boundaries that I am speaking.” After questioning McClain, the officers grabbed him. One of them said he believed McClain had reached for a holstered gun, and McClain was brought to the ground.

☆ Column: Model no more? Turkey's energy transition reversed in 2022: Maguire
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( Gavin Maguire | Thomson Reuters | Gavin Maguire Is The Global Energy Transition Columnist. He Was Previously Asia Commodities | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

As Turkey's overall coal imports grew by only 8.8% in 2022, the surge in Russian purchases came at the expense of other suppliers such as Colombia and Australia. In contrast, Turkey's electricity generation from solar and wind averaged 16% in 2022, meaning that an overwhelming majority of power was generated from other sources. Share of electricity from solar + wind in Turkey, Germany & SpainAn additional 22% of Turkey's electricity came from hydro facilities in 2022, which provided valuable dispatchable clean power for utilities. Yet solar and wind supplies come with the headache of intermittency, when power generation totals slump at night and during cloudy or windless days. Until 2022, Turkey had been on a path to use cleaner-burning natural gas as that main source of baseload supply, with plans to phase out high-polluting coal use over time.

☆ Column: Europe's gas price plunge churns up global coal markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-18 | 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

However, thanks to a recent plunge in European natural gas prices - down 60% since December 1 on mild winter temperatures, filled storage tanks and diminished industrial use - European coal prices and demand have slumped so far in 2023. WIDE SPREADThe divergent tones of Europe's and Asia's coal markets are captured by the record-wide price spread between them. This week, that spread surpassed $200 a tonne as Asia-focused Newcastle coal prices held firm around $370 a tonne while European coal prices slumped to $165. Over the near term, such actions will likely narrow the arbitrage window by applying pressure to Asia's coal prices. Those high stocks have in turn been a major driver behind the gas price falls seen since December.

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