oil
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Brookings and RMI bring energy stakeholders together to forge areas of agreement
A fleet of oil industry reps, enviros, venture capitalists, national-security hawks, and think-tankers walk into a room. After a day and a half of debate, can they walk out with at least three oil-related policy recommendations for the next president? That was the challenge presented by the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Brookings Institution, which […]
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Survey: Oil and gas industry leaders say the era of cheap gas is over.
The cost of oil has been a rollercoaster ride since the 1970s. Thankfully, we’ve hit a low in this season of recession, foreclosures, and a major Wall Street meltdown. But nobody expects the ride to be over — and the only way to go now is up. Just ask oil industry insiders. A recent survey […]
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Kunstler’s tips to prepare for a post-oil society
This post by James Kunstler, “10 Ways to Prepare for a Post-Oil Society,” is a little old, but still timely, as the economy is in the midst of its first major convulsion caused by a radical swing in energy prices. The first point is especially applicable: The religious belief in the ability to substitute any […]
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Images of oil addiction in Canada’s tar sands
Pop quiz: After Saudi Arabia, which country has the most proven oil reserves? Wrong. Not only wrong, but wrong part of the world. Unless you are among the .00001 percent who guessed Canada — in which case, congratulations! Canada has 179 billion barrels of proven “oil” reserves. I use quotes because it is not normal […]
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The ‘invisible hand’ is blind to climate externalities and the value of natural resources
When Nicholas Stern, former chief economist at the World Bank, released his ground-breaking study in late 2006 on the future costs of climate change, he talked about a massive market failure. He was referring to the failure of the market to incorporate the climate change costs of burning fossil fuels. The costs, he said, would […]
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Journalist interrogates head economist of International Energy Agency
Joe mentioned this the other day, but I want add my voice to the chorus. George Monbiot is in the midst of a kick-ass interview series. This week he met with Fatih Birol, chief economist for the International Energy Agency. The IEA’s new report is substantially more pessimistic about future energy supply than its previous […]
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Normally staid IEA says oil will peak in 2020
Fatih Birol, chief economist to the International Energy Agency, told the U.K.’s Guardian this week: “In terms of non-Opec [countries outside the big oil producers’ cartel],” he replied, “we are expecting that in three, four years’ time the production of conventional oil will come to a plateau, and start to decline. In terms of the […]
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Dear media,
Today Obama’s people confirmed that your fake story from yesterday is in fact fake. Better luck next time.
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Ford drops hydrogen while GM remains confused about ethanol
The car companies have come back to D.C. begging for money. But this time they have put on the table serious restructuring plans. At first glance, Ford’s plan [PDF] appears to me sounder than GM’s plan [PDF]. I’m interested in your opinions. Assuming we believe they will do what they say, the reports reveal a […]