Last night, President Biden answered questions on rising gasoline prices during a live townhall on CNN. The President blamed OPEC+ for the increasingly high price of gasoline, however, energy experts argue that the Administration could lower the price of gas by increasing domestic oil and gas development and production.
Meanwhile, legislators on Capitol Hill continued to negotiate a deal on the reconciliation package this week, with some Democrats acknowledging that they may have to drop the proposed clean electricity performance program.
Oil traded just below multi-year highs on Friday due to low supplies and concerns over COVID-19 related demand disruptions.
Check out more of this week’s top stories in energy below!
5New steel mill will run primarily on solar power
A 300-megawatt solar plant, called Bighorn Solar, is comprised of more than 750,000 solar panels and will be fully operation by next month. E&E news reports the solar power plant-steel factory duo joins a short list of heavy industrial companies offsetting their carbon emissions by co-locating with renewable energy plants.
4Yellow school buses are going green
School districts throughout the United States are joining a small but growing movement to switch from diesel to electric buses. The motivations run from cheaper operation costs to wanting kids to breathe cleaner air. Christian Science Monitor reports that proponents say the electric buses are 60% cheaper to operate and will pay for themselves over time.
3A wind turbine wall that can power your home
We mainly think of wind power in terms of large turbines set up in the ocean or in open fields. My Modern Met explains how the new Wind Turbine Hall doubles as a kinetic sculpture and wind turbine wall; helping homeowners become more energy-efficient while adding a touch of beauty.
2Trees could be an alternative to lithium-ion batteries
Most green vehicles run on lithium-ion batteries, which are made from toxic materials. Is there an alternative? Potentially yes, trees. The Daily Beast reports on how engineers at Brown University and the University of Maryland are taking that goal to another other level, with a new proposal for rechargeable batteries made from trees.
1Geothermal energy is powering Boise and other cities could follow
Almost 100 buildings in Boise, Idaho are powered by renewable geothermal energy — and experts say that other cities should get on board. Geothermal energy harnesses the heat stored in rocks underneath the Earth’s surface and a fraction of this heat would be enough to satisfy the world’s energy needs. Next City reports that with some technological innovation, low-temperature geothermal energy could be accessed almost anywhere in the country.
