natural gas

Natural Gas Dethrones King Coal As Power Companies Look To Future

Christopher Joyce — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 21:37:58 +0000

The way Americans get their electricity is changing. Coal is in decline. Natural gas is bursting out of the ground in record amounts. And the use of wind and solar energy is growing fast. All this is happening as power companies are trying to choose which kind of energy to bet on for the next several decades.

Until recently, half of these plants burned coal to make electricity. Now, that's down to about one-third. Since 2010, about 150 coal plants either have been retired or it's been announced they will be retired soon.

What knocked King Coal off its throne? Mostly natural gas.

LG&E, Kentucky Settle Over Alleged Safety Violations in 2011 House Explosion

Erica Peterson — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:51:45 +0000

Louisville Gas and Electric could pay up to $250,000 to settle alleged safety violations that stemmed from a natural gas explosion in southern Jefferson County a year ago.

Indiana Regulators Approve Modified Deal for Coal Gasification Plant

Erica Peterson and The Associated Press — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:59:33 +0000

Regulators have approved a settlement that prohibits Duke Energy from passing on to consumers all the costs the company will incur building a coal-gasification plant in southwestern Indiana.

Costs for the plant in Edwardsport have increased substantially since it was proposed in 2007, and the latest estimate is $3.5 billion. Under the new agreement, Duke’s customers will pay nearly $2.6 billion for the plant, while the utility will be forced to absorb nearly $900 million in cost overruns.

Energy PACs Already Supporting McConnell 2014 Bid

Erica Peterson — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:48:59 +0000

Mitch McConnell isn't up for reelection until 2014, but the Kentucky senator is already raking in donations from energy-related PACs.

Obama, Romney Offer Differing Facts on Energy Production

Erica Peterson — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:45:00 +0000

Much like the first presidential debate, there was no mention of climate change in the second match-up between President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. But there was more talk about energy than during the first debate.

And, predictably, there was lots of work to be done by fact-checkers in the day following.

One of the most intense exchanges of the night was over oil and gas production on federal lands. Romney said production of oil on government land is down 14 percent, and production of gas is down nine percent.

Washington Post Editorial Urges Politicians to Stop Telling Coalfields 'Fairy Tales'

Erica Peterson — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Earlier this week, the Washington Post published an editorial for residents of coal country.

The newspaper’s editorial board is left-leaning, and begins the piece by criticizing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for “pandering” to coalfields residents, promising them a resurgence of the industry if he’s elected.

More Coal Production Cuts Could Be Coming, Despite Slightly Higher Gas Prices

Erica Peterson — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 16:11:33 +0000

Rising natural gas prices could mean good news for the country's coal industry...but there are still likely cuts to come in Central Appalachia. That's the gist of an article from SNL Finanacial.

Earlier this year, gas was at less than $3 per MMBtu, which some call the "sweet spot" for coal to gas switching. Any higher than $3, and it's not as cut and dry a decision to switch to natural gas. But now, gas futures for November are trading at slightly higher than that: at $3.459 per MMBtu.

Natural Gas Vehicles Ever More Feasible for Fleets

Erica Peterson — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Natural gas is becoming increasingly popular as a source of electricity, and in many places—including Louisville—it’s replacing coal. But natural gas is also becoming more prevalent as fuel for vehicles.

In Waste Management’s facility off of Fern Valley Road, there’s a garbage truck parked after its daily route. On one side, so large it’s hard to miss, is a sign that says “Think Green, Think Clean”—a reference to the fact that this truck burns cleaner natural gas.

Carbon Emissions are at 20-Year Low

Erica Peterson — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:40:28 +0000

The Associated Press reports that the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere is at the lowest level in two decades. The information is from the Energy Information Administration, and though the story doesn’t mention this, it’s actually just a measure of the CO2 being released by the nation’s energy sector.

Government officials are pointing to a drop in coal burning and an increase in natural gas for the decline.

LG&E Disputes State's Findings in December Gas Explosion

Erica Peterson — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:54:26 +0000

Louisville Gas and Electric is asking the case against the company for its role in a residential gas explosion in December be dismissed. In documents filed with the Kentucky Public Service Commission yesterday, the company disagrees with many of the state's conclusions as to the cause of the explosion.