US EIA
Date: 2020-10-09
According to the just released U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Winter Fuels Outlook and an updated Short-Term Energy Outlook , approximately 1.4 pct -- 1.8 million U.S. households will use cord wood or wood pellets as their primarily residential spacing heating fuel during the 2020 – 2021 winter. The EIA report forecasts that U.S. residential energy consumption will be higher than the 2019 -- 2020 heating season.

In the electric power sector, biomass expected to be used to generate 27.9 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity this year, including 15.6 billion kWh from waste biomass and 12.3 billion kWh from wood biomass. Generation from biomass reached 28.8 billion kWh in 2019, including 15.7 billion kWh from waste biomass and 13 billion kWh from wood biomass. In 2021, generation from biomass is expected to increase to 31.2 billion kWh, including 16.4 kWh from waste biomass and 14.9 billion kWh from wood biomass. The electric power sector is expected to consume 0.233 quadrillion Btu (quad) of waste biomass this year, down from 0.236 quad in 2019, but increasing to 0.244 quad in 2021. The sector consumed 0.211 quad of wood biomass in 2019, with consumption expected to fall to 0.2 quad in 2020, and increase to 0.241 quad in 2021.

In the electric power sector, biomass generating capacity was at 6,672 MW in 2019, including 3,945 MW of waste biomass capacity and 2,727 MW of wood biomass capacity. Capacity by the end of 2020 is expected to fall to 6,628 MW, including 3,902 MW of waste biomass capacity and 2,727 MW of wood biomass capacity. Biomass capacity is expected to reach 6,638 MW by the end of 2021, including 3,912 MW of waste biomass capacity and 2,727 MW of wood biomass capacity.

Download the EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook HERE. (Source: US EIA, PR, Oct., 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Woody Biomass,  Bimass,  

Ethanol,
Date: 2020-09-18
Ethanol stockpiles dropped to the lowest level in more than a month, and production declined week-to-week, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) Inventories of the biofuel fell from 19.993 million to 19.798 million barrels in the seven days that ended on Sept. 11, 2020.

Daily ethanol production fell to an average of 926,000 for the week ending 11 Sept. In the Midwest, output dropped to 879,000 bpd on average, from 892,000 barrels a week earlier. West Coast production was down from 10,000 to 8,000 bpd while East Coast output increased was up from 12,000 to 13,000 bpd in the prior seven-day period and Gulf Coast production rose from 16,000 to 17,000 bpd. (Source: US EIA, 17 Sept., 2020) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  US EIA,  

US Energy Information Administration
Date: 2020-08-28
According to the just released US Energy Information Administration (EIA) Electric Power Monthly Report for the period January -- June 2020, solar-generated electricity -- including distributed solar -- jumped by 22 pct year-on-year and provided nearly 3.4 pct of the U.S. total. Wind was up 14.5 pct and accounted for more than 9.1 pct of total generation. Combined, net wind and solar power generation is 16.4 pct more than a year ago and generated 12.5 pct of total US electrical production during the first six months of 2020.

Together with hydropower, biomass, and geothermal, renewables provided 22.3 pct of total electrical output -- a 19.9 pct increase over the previous year. Renewables produced close to one-third more electricity than coal through June 2020.

Total electrical generation by all renewable energy sources combined rose by 16.3 pct, driven primarily by a 31.4 pct expansion by wind and an 18.1 pct increase in solar generation while biomass fell by 10 pct and geothermal power dipped by 1.5 pct. (Source: US EIA, Aug., 2020) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_es1a

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Energy Information Administration ,  EIA,  Renewable Energy,  Wind,  Solar,  

US Energy Information Agency
Date: 2020-06-19
The US Energy Information Agency (EIA) is reporting U.S. ethanol production was up slightly the week ending June 12, while weekly ethanol ending stocks were down roughly 2 pct.

U.S. fuel ethanol production reached averaged 841,000 bpd the week ending June 12, up from an average of 837,000 bpd the previous week. Production was down 240,000 bpd when compared to the same week of 2019 and down 238,000 bpd when compared to the final week of February, before U.S. fuel markets started to be impacted by COVID-19. Weekly ending stocks fell to 21.346 million barrels the week ending June 12, down from 21.802 million barrels the previous week. Weekly ending stocks were down 267,000 barrels when compared to the same week of 2019. (Source: US EIA, 17 June, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Energy Information Agency news,  Ethanol news,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2020-05-29
In Washington, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting U.S. consumption of renewable energy surpassed coal in 2019 for the first time since woody biomass was the top fuel source more than 130 years ago, According to EIA data, electricity generated by renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro exceeded coal-fired power in the U.S. for a record 40 straight days

U.S. coal consumption, primarily for electric power generation, fell 15 pct in 2019 to the lowest level since 1964, while the use of energy from sources like wind and solar notched slightly higher, according to the EIA .

Total renewable energy consumption in the U.S. grew for the fourth year to a record-high 11.5 quadrillion Btu in 2019. Since 2015, the growth in U.S. renewable energy is almost entirely attributable to the use of wind and solar in the electric power sector. In 2019, electricity generation from wind surpassed hydro for the first time and is now the most-used source of renewable energy for electricity generation in the United States on an annual basis. (Source: BIC, US EIA, May, 2020)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Information Administration news,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2020-04-03
A just released report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) notes that U.S. ethanol production dropped 16 pct to an average of 840,000 bpd, the lowest level since September 2013, for the week ending March 27.

Additional reductions are expected in upcoming weeks as several plants are switching a portion of their production to sanitizers and/or slowing or idling production due primarily to the falling demand for fuel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EIA report says. (Source: US EIA, 1 April, 2020) Contact: Energy Information Administration, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  EIA,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2020-02-05
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which previously predicted natural gas energy would dominate the country's energy market through 2050, now says renewable energy will soon surpass natural gas in the U.S. electric power mix.

In its annual energy outlook report, the EIA notes renewables are now growing faster as a source of power generation through 2050 as lower costs make them economically more competitive. (Source: Energy Information Administration, Feb., 2020) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Information Administration,  Renewables,  Renewable Energy,  Natural Gas,  

US EIA
Date: 2020-01-03
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting utility-scale hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass accounted for 23 pct of the U.S. energy mix, while coal was only 20 pct in April, 2019. The EIA report noted that although generation output from large coal, gas and nuclear plants is typically lower during April and other demand lull periods, renewable capacity has been growing and coal-fired power falling in recent years.

Each renewable resource set record high generation outputs sometime during 2018. Wind power generated 30.2 million MWh in April, a new monthly high, while a combination of utility-scale solar photovoltaics and solar thermal made history in June with 7.8 million MWh, the EIA report shows. (Source: US EIA, Power Eng., Jan., 2020) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  US EIA,  Coal,  

US EIA, Wind
Date: 2019-12-13
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Preliminary Monthly Electric Generator Inventory, cumulative U.S. installed onshore wind capacity exceeded 100 GW on a nameplate capacity basis as of the end of September 2019. More than half of that amount has been installed since the beginning of 2012.

The inventory notes that as of Q3, 2019, 41 states had at least one installed wind turbine. Texas had the most capacity installed, at 26.9 GW, followed by Iowa at 8.9 GW, Oklahoma at 8.1 GW, and Kansas at 6.2 GW.

The agency projects another 14.3 GW of wind capacity will come online in 2020, bringing U.S. capacity to 122 GW. (Source: US EIA, Dec., 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Wind,  Onshore Wind,  

US Energy Information Administration
Date: 2019-12-09
The recently released U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2018 Report examines economic trends and changes in fuel mix that influence energy-related CO2 emissions in the U.S. As a result, most of the CO2 emissions being discussed are the result of fossil fuel combustion or their use in the petrochemical and related industries, the report states.

In the short term, energy-related CO2 emissions are influenced by the weather, fuel prices and disruptions in electricity generation. In the long term, CO2 emissions are influenced by public policy, reduced costs and improved efficiencies of new technology, demand-side efficiency gains and economic trends, according to the report.

A major factor in recent reductions in the carbon intensity of electric generation in the U.S. is the reduced generation of electricity using coal while increasingly using natural gas. Natural gas emits less CO2 for the same amount of electricity generated, and non-carbon generation (including renewables), which do not emit the gas.

Between 2005 and 2018, EIA has calculated that cumulative U.S. C02 emissions reductions attributable specifically to shifts from coal to natural gas and to non-carbon generation totaled 4,621 million metric tons (MMmt). Of this total, 2,823 MMmt resulted from decreased use of coal and increased use of natural gas; 1,799 MMmt resulted from decreased use of coal and increased use of non-carbon generation sources.

Between 2005 and 2017, total U.S. electricity generation increased by almost 4 pct while related C02 emissions fell by 27 pct. During the same period, fossil fuel electricity generation declined by roughly 9 pct, and non-carbon electricity generation increased by 35 pct.

Download the U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2018 Report HERE. (Source: US Energy Information Administration, 14 Nov., 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News CO2,  CO2 Emissions,  Natural Gas Emissions,  Climate Change,  

US EIA
Date: 2019-09-30
According to the recently released U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook 2019 -- Projections to 2050 report, despite renewable energy investment more than tripling globally during the current decade compared to the last 10-year period, most of the power delivered to the world's electric grids during the recent decade was from coal -- still the world's largest source of electricity, providing 38 pct of world electrical generation in 2018, about the same as 1997.

The world spent about $2.6 trillion on renewable energy projects during the decade, over three times the amount spent from 2000 to 2009. Solar PV investments totaled around $1.3 trillion, and onshore and offshore wind investment totaled around $1 trillion. Globally, solar energy capacity increased by 638 GW between 2009 and 2019, while coal-fired capacity increased by 529 GW, wind capacity increased 487 GW, and natural gas capacity increased 436 GW. In 2018, $41 billion was invested in coal worldwide.

China's spending on renewable electricity was the highest in the world at $758 billion from 2000 to the first half of 2019. The US was second with $356 billion, followed by Japan at $202 billion. The European nations spent around $698 billion on wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources, with Germany and the UK spending the most. It is expected that 330 GW of new wind power capacity will come online over the next five years, driven primarily by onshore wind power projects in the US and China. Investments in renewable power capacity in 2018, however, dropped 38 pct in China and by 6 pct in the US, while rising 45 pct in Europe.

The report predicts that electric power demand for coal will fall to 17 pct of total generation by 2050. Moody's Investors Service predicts coal will represent 11 pct of total U.S. power generation by 2030 -- down from 27 pct in 2018. The over 50 pct drop in coal demand from utilities by 2030 implies that coal demand would decline by about 7 pct per year on average over the next 10 years.

Download the US EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2019 -- Projections to 2050 report HERE. (Source: US EIA, Sept., 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Coal,  Renewable Energy,  US EIA,  

U.S. Energy Information Administration
Date: 2019-09-16
On September 13, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its first annual U.S. Biodiesel Plant Production Capacity Report. The report includes the total biodiesel production capacity for all operating plants in both million gallons per year (gal/y) and barrels per day (b/d) as of January 1, 2019. The names of the reporting plants are organized by Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADD). Like the Ethanol Plant Production Capacity Report, EIA plans to update the report annually.

The 2019 U.S. Biodiesel Plant Production Capacity Report shows 102 operating biodiesel plants with 2.6 billion gpy in biodiesel production capacity, or 167,000 bpd. More than half of the nation's biodiesel production capacity is in the Midwest region, led by Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois. Of the top 15 biodiesel-producing states, 9 are located in the Midwest.

U.S.biodiesel production topped 1.8 billion gallons (119,000 bpd) in 2018, implying a 72 pct utilization rate based on the nameplate capacity level recorded at the beginning of 2018.

In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA forecasts that U.S. production of biodiesel will reach about 2.0 billion gallons (128,000 bpd) in 2019, resulting in 77 pct utilization of reported nameplate capacity as of January 1, 2019.

Respondents report the biodiesel production capacity data to EIA on Form EIA-22M, Monthly Biodiesel Production Survey, and EIA publishes the data in the Monthly Biodiesel Production Report. All entities that produce biodiesel that meets ASTM D 6751-07B specifications and is used for commercial purposes within the United States submit Form EIA-22M. Additional data collected on Form EIA-22M include production, sales, stock changes, and feed stock inputs to production. (Source: US EIA Release, Sept., 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov/petroleum/ethanolcapacity

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biodiesel,  U.S. Energy Information Administration,  

US EIA
Date: 2019-06-17
In its just released June Short Term Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is predicting non-hydropower renewables will provide 11 pct of U.S. power generation in 2019, increasing to 13 pct in 2020.

Non-hydropower renewables provided 10 pct of electricity generation in 2018. Of that total, woody biomass is expected to generate 113,000 MWh per day of electricity this year, increasing to 115,000 MWh per day in 2020. Waste biomass is expected to be used to generate 57,000 MWh per day of electricity in both 2019 and 2020.

In the electric power sector, waste biomass is expected to be used to generate 48,000 MWh per day in both 2019 and 2020. Generation from wood biomass is expected to reach 37,000 MWh per day this year, increasing to 39,000 MWh per day in 2020. Across other sectors, waste biomass is expected to be used to generate 76,000 MWh per day in both 2019 and 2020, with wood biomass used to generate 9,000 MWh per day in both years.

The electric power sector is expected to consume 0.269 quadrillion Btu (quad) of waste biomass this year, increasing to 0.27 quad next year. The sector is also expected to consume 0.221 quad of wood biomass in 2019, increasing to 0.232 quad in 2020. The industrial sector is expected to consume 0.169 quad of waste biomass in both 2019 and 2020, along with 1.439 quad of wood biomass in 2019 and 1.401 quad of wood biomass in 2020. The commercial sector is expected to consume 0.044 quad of waste biomass and 0.084 quad of wood biomass in both 2019 and 2020, while the residential sector is expected to consume 0.492 quad of wood biomass this year, falling to 0.488 quad next year.

Across all sectors, waste biomass consumption is expected to reach 0.482 quad in 2019 and remain at that level into 2020. The consumption of wood biomass is expected to reach 2.238 quad this year, falling to 2.205 quad next year. Biomass capacity in the electric power sector is expected to reach 7,071 MW by the end of this year, including 4,141 MW of waste biomass capacity and 2,930 MW of wood biomass capacity, falling to 7,052 MW by the end of 2020, including 4,080 MW of waste biomass capacity and 2,972 MW of wood biomass capacity. Biomass capacity across other sectors is expected to reach 6,657 MW by the end of 2019, including 866 MW of waste biomass capacity and 5,791 MW of wood biomass capacity. Capacity is expected to fall slightly to 6,649 MW by the end of 2020, including 866 MW of waste biomass capacity and 5,784 MW of wood biomass capacity. (Source: US EIA, June, 2019)Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Biomass,  Woody Biomass,  

US EIA
Date: 2019-05-10
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the share of total soybean oil consumed as a biodiesel feedstock doubled from the current 15 pct to 30 pct as the total U.S. soybean oil supply grew from about 22.5 billion pounds to nearly 26.0 billion pounds between marketing year 2010-2011 and 2017-2018.

Soybean oil is the most commonly used vegetable oil for biodiesel production, and inputs reached 7.1 billion pounds during the latest soybean oil marketing year which ran from Oct. 1, 2017, to Sept. 30, 2018. Between marketing year 2010-2011 and marketing year 2017-2018, U.S. domestic biodiesel production grew from 700 million gpy to 1.8 billion gpy. The production increase was largely driven by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biofuel blending mandate. (Source: US EIA, Xinhua, 8 May, 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Soybean,  Soybean Oil,  BiodieselBiofuel,  

Ethanol
Date: 2019-04-26
In Washington, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting US ethanol exports jumped by 23 pct in 2018 reaching 112,000 bpd, up from a previous record high of 91,000 bpd in 2017.

According to the EIA, at 33,000 bpd Brazil was the top market for US ethanol, followed by Canada at approximately 23,000 bpd while India ranked third, receiving 10,000 bpd of US ethanol followed by South Korea and the Netherlands. (Source: US EIA, 25 April, 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  EIA,  Biofuel,  

Duke Energy
Date: 2019-03-20
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) latest data, North Carolina's annual solar power production jumped 36 pct in 2018, firmly placing the Tar Heel State as the nation's 2nd larget solar power producer behind California. By way of comparison, California's annual solar production rose 15 pct and Arizona's and Nevada's outputs each grew 10 pct in 2018. (Source: US EIA, Duke Energy, Compelo, 18 Mar., 2019) Contact: Duke Energy North Carolina, Stephen De May, Pres., www.duke-energy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Duke Energy North Carolina,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2019-03-11
Carbon emissions from the energy sector have been on the decline nationwide, according to a report last week from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. According to the report, Arkansas invested in coal and produced more energy-related carbon emissions but a downward trend in emissions in the state has begun as those investments have shifted to renewable energy and natural gas along with the rest of the nation. Other states had little carbon emissions from electricity generation and had more from the burning of petroleum in manufacturing and from fossil fuels used to heat and cool buildings.

A pending legal settlement in federal court could trigger the closure of the state's two largest coal-fired plants, principally owned and operated by Entergy Arkansas. The utility has opened solar arrays and announced plans for more in recent years, and would be required under the proposed settlement to invest in hundreds more megawatts of renewable energy in coming years. That settlement is being challenged before the Arkansas Public Service Commission.

The EIA ranked Arkansas 17th in the country in the production per capita of carbon dioxide -- about 20 metric tons per person. At its highest point, Arkansas' carbon emissions from energy sources was at 69 million metric tons. That was 2014, a year before the state's use of coal-fired plants declined sharply. (Source: US EIA, Arkansas OnLine, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 3 Mar., 2019)Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov; Entergy Arkansas, www.entergy-arkansas.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Information Administration,  Carbon Emissions,  

US EIA
Date: 2019-03-04
In its February 2019 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) the US EIA forecasts US fuel ethanol production will remain near current levels, decreasing slightly in 2019 to 1.04 million bpd and increasing to 1.05 million bpd in 2020.

The report also predicts net imports of biomass-based diesel will stay unchanged. Biomass-based diesel production -- excluding renewable diesel -- was about 120,000 bpd in 2018 and grows to 160,000 bpd in 2020. Total biomass-based diesel consumption will increase from an estimated 134,000 bpd in 2018 to 174,000 bpd in 2020.

Download the EIA report details HERE. (Source: US EIA, 1 Mar., 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Ethanol,  Biofuel,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2019-02-11
On February 7th the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported US fuel ethanol production averaged 967,000 bpd in the week to February 1, 2019. This is the lowest since mid-April 2018.

Download the US EIA Biofuels: Ethanol and Biodiesel Explained report HERE.

Access EIA Monthly Reviews HERE. (Source: US EIA, Feb, 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Information Administration ,  Ethanol,  

US Energy Information Administration
Date: 2019-01-30
According to the US Energy Information Administration's just released 2019 Annual Energy Outlook (AEO), coal is here to stay, at least for awhile yet despite recent warnings from top scientists about the urgency of climate action.

Based on projections about trends in energy—from the amount of fossil fuels produced and sold, to the growth of renewable energy, coal is still projected to provide 17 pct of the United States' electricity in 2050. The EIA projections note that natural gas -- a fossil fuel that is less carbon-emitting than coal but still a problem for climate change -- will increase its share of US electricity production from 34 pct to 39 pct.

Download the EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2019 projects growing oil, natural gas, renewables production report HERE. (Source: EIA, Jan., 2019) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News US Energy Information Administration,  Carbon Emissions,  Coal,  

California ARB
Date: 2018-11-16
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting that in an effort to meet the state's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), California has increased its net supply of renewable "green" diesel, reaching 100 million gallons during Q2, 2018 -- 10.1 pct of the total diesel supplied to California during the quarter.

Administered by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), LCFS aims to incrementally decrease the carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel fuel by at least 10 pct by 2020 relative to a 2010 baseline.

Under the state's LCFS, petroleum refiners, gasoline and diesel importers, and transportation fuel wholesales are required to either produce low carbon fuels or purchase credits to demonstrate compliance. But while under the RFS, both biodiesel and renewable diesel meet a 50 pct GHG reduction threshold (and are eligible to generate biomass-based diesel RINs), LCFS uses a measurement called carbon intensity (CI).

Renewable diesel generates a large number of credits relative to other fuels because it has some of the largest lifecycle GHG reduction compared to other fuels. The total volume of renewable diesel LCFS credits exceeded ethanol credits for the first time this year, reaching about 870,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent during the second quarter. (Source: US EIA, Agri-Pulse, 14 Nov., 2018) Contact: CARB, Melanie Turner, Information Officer, (916) 322-2990, melanie.turner@arb.ca.gov, www.arb.ca.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Low Carbon Fuel Standard,  California Air Resources Board,  .Biofuel,  Renewable Fiesel ,  

US EIA
Date: 2018-10-31
Yesterday, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) released data confirming that the U.S. power sector's CO2 emissions have dropped 28 pct since 2005, on target with the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing carbon emissions by 32 pct t by 2030.

The EIA attributes this drop to a declining demand for energy, a move to renewable energy, an abundance of inexpensive natural gas and dropping coal consumption.

According to Union of Concerned Scientists President Kenneth Kimmell, "the trend is expected to continue despite President Donald Trump's efforts."

For your interest, the Obama Clean Power plan can be downloaded HERE. (Source: US EIA, Earther, 29 Oct., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Clean Power Plan,  Carbon Emissions,  

U.S. Energy Information Administration
Date: 2018-09-17
According to the US EIA's recently released Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report, U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 680,000 tons of densified biomass fuel in May, with sales reaching 610,000 tons.

The EIA data was collected from 85 densified biofuel manufacturers but does not include data from facilities with annual production capacities of less than 10,000 tons. The 85 manufacturers have a combined production capacity of 11.82 million metric tpy. Production included 132,432 tons of heating pellets and 549,031 tons of utility pellets. Domestic sales of densified biomass fuel reached 90,000 million tons in May, with an average price of $141.72 per ton. Exports in May reached 520,000 tons, at an average price of $144.48 per ton, according to the report. (Source: EIA, Biomass Mag, Other Media, Sept., 2018)Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Energy Information Administration,  

US EIA
Date: 2018-08-17
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana and South Dakota in that order produced 72 pct of the country's total fuel ethanol in 2016 -- 265 million barrels of the total U.S. production amount of 367 million barrels. The top six states are also among the top 10 U.S. producers of corn, the primary feedstock for ethanol production, according to the USDA.

Between 2006 and 2016, fuel ethanol production more than doubled after the Energy Policy Act of 2005 created the Renewable Fuel Standard. By 2010, most of the gasoline sold in the U.S. was blended with 10 pct ethanol.

Among the top six ethanol producing states, Iowa can produce more than 102 million bpy of fuel ethanol for about 19 pct of total U.S. ethanol production. Nebraska's production capacity of more than 50 million barrels of fuel ethanol is the second-highest, followed by Illinois at up to 40 million bpy. Minnesota has an ethanol production capacity of 28 million bpy followed by Indiana and South Dakota at 27 million bpy of ethanol annually. (Source: US EIA, Tax, Business & Politics, 15 Aug., 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  EIA,  

Date: 2018-08-10
According to the just released Energy Information Administration (EIA) Short Term Energy Outlook, (STEO), although solar generates less electricity than wind power, it is growing faster,

The EIA projects solar generation will go from 211,000 MWh per day in 2017 to 260,000 MWh/d in 2018, a 23 pct increase, and to 290,000 MWh/d in 2019, another 12 pct increase. The latest STEO also cuts the amount of utility-scale solar capacity that the EIA expects to come online in 2019 to 6.3 GW -- a 45 pct drop from the 11.4 GW forecast in last month's STEO.

The EIA reports that wind generation averaged 697,000 MWh per day in 2017 and forecasts that it will rise by 7 pct to 746,000 MWh/d in 2018 and by another 5 pct in 2019 to 782,000 MWh/d. (Source: US EIA, Utility Dive , Various Media, 8 Aug., 2018)Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  EIA,  Wind,  Solar,  

Coal, US EIA
Date: 2018-08-06
In its Friday daily brief, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) noted that the U.S. power sector consumed 661 million short tons of coal last in 2017, the lowest level since 1983 and the fourth straight year for a decline, the brief stated. The report noted "Electric power sector coal consumption in 2017 was 36 pct lower than in 2008, when U.S. coal production reached its highest level." the report read.

Coal accounts for about 30 pct of total energy used globally and about 40 pct of total electric power generation, the report said. (Source: US EIA, Inforsurhoy, 5 Aug., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Coal,  US EIA,  

US EIA
Date: 2018-07-16
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that in 2017, the US experted an average of 38,000 bpd of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) to primarily Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela.

MTBE was once commonly used as a motor gasoline additive in the United States but was phased out in the late 2000s as a result of water contamination concerns. Since then, fuel ethanol has replaced MTBE as a gasoline additive. In contrast to MTBE, the use of fuel ethanol has been supported by tax subsidies such as the Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit and by the Renewable Fuel Standard, which mandates the use of biofuels in the US transportation fuel supply. (Source: US Energy Information Administration, PR, 13 July, 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Ethanol,  MTBE,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2018-06-29
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released Monthly (June) Densified Biomass Fuel Report, U.S. manufacturers produced approximately 650,000 tons of densified biomass fuel from 1.27 million tons of raw biomass feedstock in March, with sales reaching 600,000 tons during the month. Production included 147,226 tons of heating pellets and 498,864 tons of utility pellets.

For the report, the EIA collected data from 86 operating manufacturers of densified biomass fuel. The report does not include data from facilities with annual capacities of less than 10,000 tons, which report data annually rather than monthly. The 86 manufacturers that submitted data in February have a combined annual production capacity of 11.79 million tpy.

Domestic sales reached 122,727 tons and averaged $149.22 per ton. Exports in March reached 381,319 tons an averaged $174.32 per ton. Inventories of premium/standard wood pellets reached 225,990 tons in March, up from 217,859 tons in February. Inventories of utility pellets reached 345,615 tons in March, up from 255,172 tons in February. (Source: US EIA, June, 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Information Administration,  Biomass,  

EIA,Energy Efficiency
Date: 2018-06-29
According to a US Energy Information Administration (EIA) survey (EIA-861) of electric power sales, revenue, and energy efficiency, U.S. electric utilities reported spending $3.6 billion on energy efficiency customer incentives in 2016, for an average of $24 per customer.

Most reported spending supported residential and commercial energy efficiency: 43 pct of spending targeted residential customers, 49 pct targeted commercial customers, and the remaining 8 pct targeted industrial customers. Average reported spending per customer varied by state, from $0 in Alaska to $128 in Massachusetts. High-spending states and low-spending states tend to be concentrated in particular regions. By U.S. census region, average utility spending ranged from $11 per customer in the South to $47 per customer in the Northeast. Spending also was higher in certain states with high electricity prices, such as Hawaii, or in certain states with climates that require more energy for heating and cooling, such as Illinois and Arizona.

Incremental savings as a result of energy efficiency spending for reporting year 2016 totaled 27.5 billion kWh or 0.7 pct of nationwide retail electricity sales. Projected lifecycle savings were much greater, at 354 billion kWh over the lifetime of the efficiency measures used, because some measures that affect heating, cooling, and water heating equipment can provide benefits for several years. Like spending, most savings occurred in the residential and commercial sectors.

Annual incremental savings also varied by state, from near 0 pct of electricity retail sales in Kansas and Alaska to 3 pct of retail sales in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Average electricity savings by U.S. census region was the highest at 1.2 pct in the Northeast, and the lowest at less than 0.4 pct in the south. (Source: EIA, Today in Energy, June, 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

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US EIA
Date: 2018-06-22
According to a US Energy Information Administration (EIA) survey (EIA-861) of electric power sales, revenue, and energy efficiency, U.S. electric utilities reported spending $3.6 billion on energy efficiency customer incentives in 2016, for an average of $24 per customer.

Most reported spending supported residential and commercial energy efficiency: 43 pct of spending targeted residential customers, 49 pct targeted commercial customers, and the remaining 8 pct targeted industrial customers. Average reported spending per customer varied by state, from $0 in Alaska to $128 in Massachusetts. High-spending states and low-spending states tend to be concentrated in particular regions. By U.S. census region, average utility spending ranged from $11 per customer in the South to $47 per customer in the Northeast. Spending also was higher in certain states with high electricity prices, such as Hawaii, or in certain states with climates that require more energy for heating and cooling, such as Illinois and Arizona.

Incremental savings as a result of energy efficiency spending for reporting year 2016 totaled 27.5 billion kWh or 0.7 pct of nationwide retail electricity sales. Projected lifecycle savings were much greater, at 354 billion kWh over the lifetime of the efficiency measures used, because some measures that affect heating, cooling, and water heating equipment can provide benefits for several years. Like spending, most savings occurred in the residential and commercial sectors.

Annual incremental savings also varied by state, from near 0 pct of electricity retail sales in Kansas and Alaska to 3 pct of retail sales in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Average electricity savings by U.S. census region was the highest at 1.2 pct in the Northeast, and the lowest at less than 0.4 pct in the south. (Source: EIA, Today in Energy, 20 June, 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

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US EIA
Date: 2018-05-25
According to the EIA' Direct Federal Financial Interventions and Subsidies in Energy in Fiscal Year 2016 Report, federal subsidies for renewable energy -- including renewable generation of electricity -- dropped to $6.7 billion in FY 2016, a 56 pct decline from FY 2013. renewable subsidies in FY 2010 and FY 2013 were approximately $15 billion, more than double FY 2016 levels, as support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) lessened. Despite the decline, renewable energy continued to receive a large share of total federal energy subsidies, accounting for 46 pct of the FY 2016 total.

In the report, the EIA defines subsidies as funds a government expends, or revenue it foregoes, to encourage or support certain activities. EIA's report includes the following financial activities: direct expenditures, tax expenditures, research and development (R&D), and credit subsidies to recipients of federal loan guarantees.

Tax expenditures provided 80 pct of FY 2016 renewables subsidies. Renewable electricity-related tax expenditures provided nearly 70 pct of FY 2013 renewable electricity subsidies, falling to about half that share in FY 2016. Most of this amount went to commercial wind and solar installations from the Production Tax Credit (PTC) and the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). The PTC provided an inflation-adjusted tax credit worth 2.4 cents per kilowatthour (kWh) in 2016, while the ITC provided a deduction equal to 30 pct of facility installation costs. EIA estimates the PTC and ITC credits taken in FY 2016 at $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.

Nearly all renewable energy direct expenditures for FY 2010, FY 2013, and FY 2016 resulted from provisions of ARRA -- a broad-based set of programs designed to expedite economic recovery, including energy infrastructure. Under ARRA, DOE has invested more than $31 billion since 2009. Much of this funding supported renewable energy projects, but by FY 2016, most provisions of ARRA energy programs had expired. Direct expenditures for renewable energy decreased 90 pct, from nearly $9 billion in FY 2013 to about $1 billion in FY 2016.

Although R&D expenditures are small compared with tax expenditures and direct expenditures, R&D provides the foundation for many energy technology advancements and cost reductions. Federal R&D expenditures for renewable energy were estimated at about $850 million for FY 2010 and FY 2013, but they dropped to about $450 million in FY 2016. Another $296 million in federal loan guarantees was distributed to recipients in FY 2010, but in both FY 2013 and FY 2016, federal loan guarantee subsidies were zero. (Source: US Energy Information Administration, May, 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  US EIA,  

Energy Information Administration
Date: 2018-04-30
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting that federal subsidies for renewable energy -- including biofuels for transportation use and renewable generation of electricity -- fell to $6.7 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2016, a 56 pct fall from FY 2013. Renewable subsidies in FY 2016 were about half the amount for FY 2010 and FY 2013, about $15 billion, as support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) lessened.

EIA defines subsidies as funds that a government expends or revenue it foregoes to encourage or support certain activities. EIA's report includes direct expenditures, tax expenditures, research and development (R&D), and credit subsidies to recipients of federal loan guarantees.

Tax expenditures provided 80 percent of FY 2016 subsidies for renewables. More than half (51 percent) of the $5.6 billion in renewable tax expenditures went to biofuels which accounted for 77 pct of tax expenditures in FY 2010, but only 31 pct in FY 2013. (Source: US EIA, Grand Island Independent, 28 April, 2018)

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US EIA
Date: 2018-02-12
In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook report, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions will increase by 1.8 pct this year then remain stable in 2019. The agency also noted that US energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 14 pct from 2005 to 2017 due in part to a 39 pct decline in coal-related emissions and an 11 pct fall in petroleum related emissions. Natural gas-related emissions, however, increased by 24 pct over that period.

EIA estimates that global energy-related CO2 emissions rose 21 pct between 2005 and 2017 at an annual growth rate of 1.6 percent. The rate is projected to slow to 1 pct in 2018 and remain essentially flat in 2019. (Source: US EIA, Feb., 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Carbon Emissions,  

US EIA
Date: 2018-02-07

According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), from 1990 to 2015, California's electric power sector GHG emissions fell by 24 pct, commercial and residential sector emissions declined approximately 14 pct, and industrial emissions sank by 13 pct. Transportation-related emissions decreased from 2007 through 2013 but rose in 2014 and 2015. California's GHG emissions from agriculture and other uses are smaller in magnitude but have more than tripled since 1990.

Overall, the state's total GHG emissions were 2 pct above 1990 levels as of 2015. Approximately 86 pct of the state's GHG emissions were related to energy consumption, according to the EIA. (Source: US EIA, Feb., 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

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US EIA
Date: 2018-01-26
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is reporting domestic supplies of ethano; hit 23.8 barrels, up 1.057 million on the week and 2.072 million on the year. Production averaged 1.061 million bpd, up 1,000 bpd from the previous week and 11,000 more than last year.

Stocks usually build in winter as fuel blending requirements shift and weekly production has held at record or near record levels over the last several months exceeding USDA projections. (Source: US EIA, Brownfield, 24 Jan., 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

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US EIA
Date: 2018-01-12
According to the latest U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) statistics, transport is now the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. The data shows that, up to 2017, 1.9 billion tonnes of carbon emissions were emitted from the transport sector, while 1.8 billion tonnes came from electric power generation. In total, transport now accounts for 25 pct of all emissions.

The increase can be partly attributed to lower fuel prices in the US, but also to a decline in the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Renewable energy also plays a much stronger role in the country's energy mix. The statistics also show that almost half of all new large-scale energy capacity in 2017 came from renewables. (Source: US EIA, Others, 10 Jan., 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

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US EIA
Date: 2018-01-10
Current world biofuel production is primarily ethanol from corn or sugarcane and biodiesel from soybeans.

Measured in thousands of barrels per day (bpd), the winner is the USA at 940,000 bpd, followed by Brazil at 449,000; Germany 68,000; China 59,000; Argentina 52,000; France 50,000; Indonesia 38,000; Canada 36,000; Thailand 24,000, and Columbia at 17,000 bpd. (Source: US EIA, Jan, 2018)Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News US EIA,  Biofuel,  

FirstEnergy Corp,US EIA
Date: 2018-01-08
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) website is reporting that Ohio's electric power sector, the state's main source of carbon pollution, cut its carbon pollution from a peak of 132.6 million metric tons in 2005 to 82.6 million metric tons in 2015, while its western neighbor, Indiana trimmed its annual carbon output by 34.9 million metric tons over the same 10-year period.

Akron-based FirstEnergy Corp. played a major role in the reduction. While it has continued to operate its two nuclear plants that don't emit any meaningful carbon, the company closed several coal-fired power plants in Ohio and boosted its use of renewable energy.

The decline is attributed to the advent of cheap shale gas which has caused new natural gas power plants to come online in Ohio and nearby states that sell their power into Ohio on a shared electric power grid. That's all while companies like FirstEnergy have shuttered coal plants that can't compete economically with natural gas-fired plants.

In 2005, approximately 88 pct of Ohio's electric power was coal generated. Today it is closer to 50 pct, according the the EIA. Over 60 generation units at about 20 coal-fired plants have been closed down in Ohio since 2010. (Source: US EIA, Crain's Cleveland Business, Others, Jan., 2018) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov; First Energy, www.firstenergy.com

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US EIA
Date: 2017-12-15
In its December, 2017 edition of its Short-Term Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects wood biomass will be used to generate 117,000 MWh per day of electricity this year, falling to 114,000 MWh per day in 2018. Generation from waste biomass is expected to increase, from 57,000 MWh per day this year, to 60,000 MWh per day in 2018.

The electric power sector is projected to consume 0.274 quadrillion Btu (quad) of waste biomass, this year, the industrial sector is expected to consume 0.18 quad of waste biomass and the residential sector -- approximately 2.3 milliuon homes -- is expected to consume 0.385 quad of wood biomass in 2017, increasing to 0.413 quad in 2018. (Source: EIA, Dec., 2017) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Woody Biomass,  US EIA,  

Energy Information Agency
Date: 2017-12-13
According to the US EIA's latest monthly report, US PV output grew grew 47 pct during the first three quarters of 2017, over the same period in 2016. The report notes that every state increased its output from solar energy production with California leading the pack with its 24,877,000 MWh,. Of those top 10 states, Georgia had the highest year-to-year percentage growth, increasing 186 pct from 2016 to 2017, followed by Texas with 165 pct and Utah with 123 pct.

In market segment terms, utility scale growth was twice as high, increasing 58 pct from 2016 to 2017 while the residential sector increased by 32 pct year-over-year. (Source: DOE EIA Electric Power Monthly, Dec. 2017) Contact: EIA, www.eia.gov

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US EIA
Date: 2017-12-08
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is reporting the U.S. domestic stock level of ethanol increased alongside higher production, while blending demand declined during the week-ended Dec. 1, 2017. Ethanol supply increased 500,000 barrels (bbl) to a 22.5 million bbl six-month high during the week -- up 4.0 million bbl against the comparable week a year ago.

The EIA also reports that refiner and blender net ethanol inputs dropped 37,000 bpd -- 4.0 pct -- to 885,000 bpd, while up 13,000 bpd against the prior year. During the four weeks ended Dec. 1, blending demand for ethanol averaged 911,000 bpd, up 11,000 bpd against the same four weeks in 2016. (Source: US EIA, Various Media, DTN/Progressive Farmer, 6 Dec., 2017) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  US EIA,  

EIA
Date: 2017-12-08
According to the US Energy Information Agency (EIA), emissions from the transportation sector -- automobiles, trucks, airplanes, and ships -- now surpasses emissions from the electric power sector.

The increase in transportation emissions is partially due to the steady increase in the number of vehicles on the road and the frequency and length of trips taken.

On the other hand, falling power sector emissions can be partially attributed to the significant growth in the use of natural gas and renewable energy and the decline of "Old King Coal" and other fossil fuels. (Source: US EIA, CleanTechnica, Other Media, Dec., 2017) Contact: US EIA, www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/#electricity

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  CO2,