Trump’s first 100 days come and go: Of Presidents and Prices
The commodities price watch after President Donald Trump’s first 100 days is a mixed bag, with four commodities losing value since he took office and seven gaining.
Nuclear plants account for more than half of electricity generation in Illinois
(Fri, 05 May 2017) Nuclear plants in Illinois have provided about half of the stateâs total electricity generation since 2010, and two nuclear plants in particularâQuad Cities and Clintonâtogether provided more than 12% of the stateâs electricity generation over the past several years.
OPEC crude oil output
Since 1988, S&P Global Platts has published a monthly survey tracking OPEC crude oil production by country. The estimates are obtained through a review of proprietary shipping data, news reportage and surveys of knowledgeable sources.
OPEC Apr output 31.85 million b/d, unchanged from Mar: Platts survey
OPEC crude output in April averaged 31.85 million b/d, flat from March,
an S&P Global Platts survey found, with the bloc still showing high compliance
with its production cut agreement, as increases in Angola and Nigeria were
offset by declines from Libya and Iraq.
Utility-scale solar has grown rapidly over the past five years
(Thu, 04 May 2017) Utility-scale solar installationsâincluding both photovoltaic (PV) and thermal technologiesâgrew at an average rate of 72% per year between 2010 and 2016, faster than any other generating technologies. Utility-scale solar generation now makes up about 2% of all utility-scale electric generation.
Donald Trump’s Very Good Idea: Raise the Gas Tax
The revenue would help pay for the president’s infrastructure plan, bolster economic growth and reduce motorists’ costs.
Power plantsâ costs and value to the grid are not easily reflected using simple metrics
(Wed, 03 May 2017) Cost is one of the key factors influencing the choice of fuels and technologies used to generate electricity. Capital, maintenance, operating, and financing costs often vary significantly across technologies and fuels. In addition, regional differences in construction, fuel, transmission, and resource costs mean that location also matters.
Wind turbines provide 8% of U.S. generating capacity, more than any other renewable source
(Tue, 02 May 2017) Wind generators accounted for 8% of the operating electric generating capacity in the United States in 2016, more than any other renewable technology, including hydroelectricity. Wind turbines have contributed more than one-third of the nearly 200 gigawatts (GW) of utility-scale electricity generating capacity added since 2007.
New York Plan to Dump Chlorine Into Sewers Worries Environmental Advocates
The city is seeking to solve a chronic problem of raw sewage emptying into city waterways during rainfalls, but some argue the plan relies on an unproven technique.
Key to Improving Subway Service in New York? Modern Signals
New York’s subway is struggling with old infrastructure and overcrowding. The M.T.A.’s failure to modernize its signal system is a crucial example.