About 30% of distributed solar capacity is owned by third parties

(Wed, 07 Dec 2016) Distributed solar capacity in the United States, which includes all solar power capacity other than utility-scale installations 1 MW or larger, totaled 12.3 gigawatts (GW) as of September. About 30% of that amount (3.7 GW) was owned by third-party owners. Third-party owners are private companies that provide either solar electricity or equipment to generate it to building owners or tenants, typically with little or no upfront costs.

New England natural gas pipeline capacity increases for the first time since 2010

(Tue, 06 Dec 2016) Spectra Energy Corporation has almost completed the first two natural gas pipeline projects in New England since 2010. On November 1, Spectra placed part of the Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project into service, following the late-October approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The remainder of the project is expected to be completed this month.

Short-Term Energy Outlook

(Tue, 06 Dec 2016) U.S. crude oil production averaged 9.4 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2015, and it is forecast to average 8.9 million b/d in 2016 and 8.8 million b/d in 2017.

Thanksgiving holiday causes unique electricity usage patterns across the country

(Mon, 05 Dec 2016) In terms of electricity usage, Thanksgiving Day is one of the most unusual days of the year. Typically at this time of year, electric loads in most regions have a small peak in the morning and a larger peak in the evening. On Thanksgiving, however, the largest peak of the day occurs closer to midday as many Americans gather to celebrate the holiday.

Federal leasing for offshore wind grows as first U.S. offshore wind farm comes online

(Fri, 02 Dec 2016) The first commercial U.S. offshore wind farm, Block Island, is scheduled to come online in late 2016. Located three miles off the southeastern coast of Rhode Island, Block Island consists of five wind turbines that will produce 30 megawatts of electricity. The electricity will be used on Block Island, where electricity is currently supplied by diesel-powered generators.

New U.S. border-crossing pipelines bring shale gas to more regions in Mexico

(Thu, 01 Dec 2016) U.S. pipeline capacity for natural gas exports to Mexico has rapidly expanded in the past few years and currently stands at 7.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d). This existing cross-border capacity primarily supplies the Northeast and Central regions of Mexico. New capacity projected to be completed in the next several years will help to supply Mexico’s Central and Northwestern regions.

Tighter marine fuel sulfur limits will spark changes by both refiners and vessel operators

(Wed, 30 Nov 2016) The sulfur content of transportation fuels has been declining for many years as a result of increasingly stringent regulations. New international regulations limiting sulfur in fuels for ocean-going vessels, set to take effect in 2020, have further implications for both refiners and vessel operators at a time of high uncertainty in future crude oil prices, which will be a major factor in their operational decisions.

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