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Iowa’s Real Election Winners Are Farmers and Energy

Ethanol refinery with farm fields

CEA’s Chris Ventura examines the importance of ethanol and to America’s fuel security and how affordable natural gas is the key to lowering costs for farmers and ethanol producers across Iowa.

Our farmers use energy. In fact, they use a lot of it. Direct energy expenses for Iowa’s farmers include diesel, gasoline, propane, and electricity, and they cost more than $1 billion annually. Some of this energy, however, is used to further diversify America’s access to fuel security by transforming corn into ethanol.

Read more – Des Moines Register

Give Thanks for Energy; Think of Those Who Can’t Afford It

Grandparent helping with homework

CEA’s Matt Gonzales talks about the energy burden faced by New Mexicans living at or below the poverty line this holiday season.

Many of us can be thankful we have enough money to avoid having to choose between paying our energy bill or buying groceries, and that we live in a nation where energy is relatively affordable and available to all. That’s not the case for many American families.

 

Right now, one in five American households has had to cut back or cut out necessities like food and medicine to pay an energy bill, according to recent Energy Information Administration data.

Read more – Albuquerque Journal

Largest Energy Consumer Group Applauds U.S. Army Corps Granting Final Federal Permit for Line 3

Family Walking Down Rural Gravel Driveway

St. Paul, MN – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) released the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted the final federal permit for Enbridge Inc.’s Line 3 replacement project. CEA Midwest Director, Chris Ventura made the following statement:

“The approval of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers underscores the vast amount of work which went into planning the modernization of Line 3. We are pleased that the Corps put sound science and facts over the feelings of fear peddled by activist groups.”

“Minnesotans and tribal members from across the state have participated in more than 70 public hearings and hundreds of pages of environmental studies. Their contributions have ensured the Line 3 Replacement Project safeguards our shared environment, minimizes the environmental impact during construction, and provides for full environmental restoration upon project completion.”

“We look forward to the beginning of construction of the most studied pipeline in the history of Minnesota, putting our tradesmen and women back to work, and energizing local economies which have been severely impacted by the pandemic.”

Largest Energy Consumer Group Applauds Utah Public Service Commission for Fair Rate Process

Park City, Utah

Salt Lake City, UT – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading voice for sensible energy policies for families and businesses, released the following statement after the Utah Public Service Commission recently approved new electricity rates.

“After looking at various rates from across the nation, we appreciate the Utah Public Service Commission’s thoughtful approach and deliberative process to approve fair customer rates,” said Emily Haggstrom, vice president of communications for CEA. “We are pleased the commission took such a balanced approach to expanding solar in our communities, which will help to contribute to our environment and energy diversity – while also keeping rates low for Utah consumers, families and small businesses.”

“At a time when solar energy is growing dramatically, it is critical to set a solid and predictable framework to ensure its growth and the proper maintenance of the grid for all electricity customers. CEA has long advocated for pro-solar, pro-grid and pro-consumer policies that will ensure the long-term viability and growth of solar deployment.”

Continue to Support Energy, Manufacturing

Building a Car Engine

Ohio energy production is making a rebirth of advanced manufacturing possible in the Mahoning Valley.  CEA’s Chris Ventura looks at the supply chain and innovations occurring as a result.

The simple truth is that increased energy production is continuing to create new opportunities across our region. It is supporting the expansion of our steel industry as evidenced by Vallourec’s historic investment in Youngstown. It is supporting the construction and completion of multiple natural gas-fired power plants. The Lordstown Energy Center alone brought $900 million of investment here and provided construction jobs to close to 900 workers. And it is supporting a resurgence in manufacturing. Across the state businesses have saved upward of $34.1 billion on their energy bills as a direct result of lower natural gas costs.

Read more – The Vindicator

CEA’s Top 5 Favorite Energy Stories This Week – November 20

As of yesterday, the U.S. reported more Covid-19 cases, which broke the daily count for the nation, causing the federal government to ask Americans to remain home for Thanksgiving. In addition to grounding many Americans this holiday, Covid-19 effects may also cause Joe Biden’s foreign policy to impact energy companies more than domestic policy.

Analysts are keeping an eye on potentially warmer-than-average winter temperatures, which could soften natural gas demand and leave the U.S. gas market oversupplied. Similarly, oil storage levels in key parts of the U.S. are close to maxing out as supply continues to outpace demand because of coronavirus restrictions affecting demand for crude oil.

And for anyone looking for areas of energy policy continuity during these divided times, President-elect Joe Biden has signaled that he will embrace nuclear power and will look to build upon the Trump administration’s support for new smaller forms of the technology.

Remember to be thankful for energy next week and check out these tips to help avoid higher energy bills during the holiday. In the meantime, here are our five favorite stories to help you start your weekend!

Semi truck on open road

5Lightweight solar panels available in U.S. to power trucking

News came out this week that commercial-ready and scalable solar panels will be available in North America. Fleet Owner describes how solar panels generate energy from every angle of the sun and can supply energy to on-board electronics and refrigeration unit motors.

Wind Farm

4Recycling wind turbine blades

Researchers have found that a new material for wind blades could be recycled and help transform the wind industry. Science Daily shares how renewable energy can be more sustainable with recycling, while lowering costs in the process.

Jet engine maintenance

3The future hydrogen-powered aircraft

Research is underway to look at lower-carbon aircraft propulsion. Physics Today details how cutting the weight of fuel tanks and looking at advances in fuel-cell technologies may help to make hydrogen competitive in aviation.

Offshore wind-farm with transfer vessel

2Helping union members get into the U.S. offshore wind sector

The world’s biggest offshore wind developer reached a deal with the building trades on bringing union members into the U.S. offshore wind sector. The Maritime Executive reports on the agreement and how the partnership will help move forward the pipeline of wind projects up and down the East Coast.

Close up on desktop globe

1Putting a nuclear power plant on the moon?

NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy is looking at how to build nuclear power plants on the moon and Mars to support its long-term exploration plans. CNBC answers why this is needed and what the timing could be.

 

CEA: Regulatory Certainty Needed for Future Infrastructure Projects

Pipeline construction

Leading Consumer Energy Advocate Applauds Administration’s Updates to Nationwide Permit Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading voice for sensible energy policies for families and businesses, applauds the Trump Administration’s proposed updates to the Nationwide Permit program for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) – which is critical for ensuring the buildout of our nation’s energy and transportation infrastructure.

CEA’s President and CEO David Holt said:

“On behalf of working families, seniors, small businesses and farmers across nation, we thank the Administration for recognizing the vital importance of the Army Corp’s Nationwide Permit (NWP) Program – the permit specifically for energy and transmission projects has been used thousands of times since its inception decades ago.”

“Since the U.S. develops energy infrastructure safely and in the most environmentally responsible way possible, reauthorizing and updating the NWP program is critical in today’s uncertain times since it will help interstate commerce, get goods and services into marketplaces and provide the energy our neighbors depend on to power and fuel their lives.”

“We need a clear and certain regulatory framework that will help facilitate the construction, development and maintenance of the traditional and renewable energy, telecommunications and transportation infrastructure that our nation needs as it continues to rebound economically from the COVID-19 pandemic. Pipelines play a critical role in fueling our lives, powering our homes, advancing our economy, supporting our supply chains and helping improve our environment.”

House Natural Resources Committee Hearing Highlights Importance of Offshore Energy Development

Offshore wind farm

Largest Energy Consumer Advocate Applauds Committee for Highlighting Importance of Expanding Offshore Wind Development; Shares Concerns with Restricting Offshore Oil and Gas Development in Gulf

Washington, D.C. — Today the House Committee on Natural Resources held a legislative hearing entitled, “Ocean Climate Action: Solutions to the Climate Crisis,” where committee members heard testimony about H.R. 8632, the “Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act.” Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) Federal Affairs Advisor Michael Zehr released the following statement:

“As part of our long-standing approach to solving our evolving energy mix, CEA strongly supports the Committee’s commitment to expanding offshore wind development, and we look forward to working with Congress to improve laws, rules and regulations enabling the construction of modern energy infrastructure. These projects will create thousands of jobs while improving both the affordability and reliability of power for families and small businesses. Furthermore, modern energy infrastructure can help improve our environment by improving efficiency and reducing emissions, including those contributing to climate change.”

“Since we support an inclusive approach to energy development, we oppose efforts within the current legislation to halt oil and gas development offshore. Such restrictions would destroy jobs and harm our efforts to achieve energy independence while achieving few, if any, environmental benefits. Oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico is some of the most efficient, highly regulated, and least carbon-intensive development in the world. Simply shutting this down would harm American workers while rewarding less efficient and less regulated foreign suppliers who may not share our commitment to the environment or human rights.”

CEA’s Top 5 Favorite Energy Stories This Week – November 13

Earlier this week, headlines were filled with news about Pfizer’s positive COVID-19 vaccine trial results. While global oil markets may have rallied initially from this positive news, the International Energy Agency stated that industry is unlikely to see any significant economic benefits until into next year. In its monthly report, the IEA said it expects demand for 2020 to fall by 8.8 million barrels a day this year—400,000 barrels a day more than its last forecast, which is more severe than OPEC’s forecast cut earlier this week.

Meanwhile, stories this week focused heavily on how energy and climate policy will be top priorities – and challenges – for President-Elect Biden when he takes office. And as those campaign pledges are worked on, many speculated at the potential political appointees he may choose, including public officials, scientists, climate advocates and environmentalists.

As the future Biden Administration takes shape, we know there will be plenty of exciting energy news in the coming weeks. In the meantime, here are our five favorite stories to help you start your weekend!

Family Grocery Shopping

5 Wholesale prices increase with food and energy costs both up

Wholesale prices increase 0.3% in October with food and energy costs both up. The Associated Press reports on how U.S. wholesale prices rose moderately in October as food costs jumped by the largest amount in five months.

Hydrogen Storage Tanks

4U.S. Department of Energy awards $14M toward hydrogen energy plant

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $14 million to build a hydrogen-energy production facility at a nuclear power plant in Minnesota. The Arkansas Democrat Gazette shares how the Idaho National Laboratory and Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy will work on devising and building the facility.

Offshore wind farm

3Louisiana advancing wind energy opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a renewable energy initiative for the Gulf of Mexico, with plans to focus on offshore energy production. WorkBoat expands on how Gov. Edwards views renewable energy, like offshore wind, is one way to help the state cut its emissions.

2Energy Department Announces $130 Million in Solar Technology Projects

The U.S. Department of Energy announced $130 million in new projects to advance solar technologies, which will fund 67 research projects across 30 states. Energy.gov details how the projects will help to reduce the cost of solar, increase U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, and improve the reliability of the nation’s electric grid.

Solar energy farm

1

Giant Sails on Bulkers to Harness Wind Power

Cargill plans to harness wind power by fixing immense wing sails to its cargo fleet of bulk ships – also known as bulkers – to reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. G Captain tells how the company is hoping that by using solid wing sails that are as high as 148 feet, they could help to reduce fuel use by as much 30%.

Bulk cargo carrier

Consumer Group Says Michigan Governor’s New Lawsuit Would Create Chaos for Midwest Economies, Leave Thousands in the Cold

Northeast Snow Storm

Detroit, MI – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) released the following statement after today’s announcement by Governor Gretchen Whitmer that she filed a lawsuit to revoke the easement for the Line 5 pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. This comes just nine days after Election Day, where previously she had assembled a taskforce to review alternatives to the line over the coming years. Now, without incident, provocation or notice, the Governor’s lawsuit will create chaos for economies across the Midwest and leave tens of thousands of Michigan consumers out of energy and in the cold with no alternatives.

CEA Midwest Director, Chris Ventura made the following statement:

“Today’s action by Governor Whitmer is not only irresponsible, reckless and purely political, it puts millions of families and the economies of Midwestern states at risk in the middle of a pandemic for absolutely no reason. This legally specious action, taken just nine days after a closely contested election, should be rejected out of hand by the courts.”

“The Governor’s reckless lawsuit revokes an easement for a pipeline that has never leaked, and is jeopardizing the fuel supply needed for interstate commerce. This action will needlessly increase energy bills on Michiganders during a pandemic when folks are still saddled with high unemployment.”

“Be clear that this action is cutting off the propane supply for thousands of households, the elderly, and the vulnerable in the Upper Peninsula who need to heat their homes this winter, and for what? This isn’t 2030, this is today.”

“Enbridge has spent years offering a path forward to remove Line 5 from the Straits – again a pipeline that has never leaked – to address environmental concerns raised by politicians like Governor Whitmer and the Attorney General. The fearmongering and baseless lawsuits need to stop.”

“Instead, we need to be working together in good faith to implement the plan already approved by a bipartisan group of legislators to build a privately funded tunnel under the Straits.”

“Time and again, Governor Whitmer and the Attorney General have tried to block the Line 5 Tunnel project, which would remove virtually all risk to the environment. Every one of their multiple state-funded lawsuits have failed. And now they are trying another at the expense of the people of Michigan. This is not leadership, and communities should be angered by this action.”

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