Dependent

Historically dependent on water and coal for its sources of energy, Idaho now is looking for more balance that includes natural gas and renewable resources, according to a recent opinion poll of the Pacific Northwest and the hopes of the fledgling Idaho Petroleum Council (IPC).

Florida has relatively high electric costs because the state’s utilities have a fuel mix more dependent on natural gas than neighboring states, which rely more on coal and nuclear energy, according to a study released by the Florida Public Service Commission (PUC). Power generated using natural gas costs about 10 cents/kWh, that generated with coal costs about 3 cents/kWh, and nuclear power “has minimal fuel costs but requires a large capital investment,” the PUC said. Residential customers in the state are believed to pay 10-20% more for electricity than customers in other Southeast states. The study was conducted by the Public Utility Research Center at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.

The U.S. energy system is now dependent for more than 230,000 MW of power from fossil fuel-fired generation plants that are 40 or more years old, and that represents a $165 billion opportunity for newer, more efficient electric generation plants over the next five years, many of which could be fired by natural gas, Calpine Corp. CEO Jack Fusco told analysts last month at the independent power plant operator’s annual financial conference in Houston.

The U.S. energy system is now dependent for more than 230,000 MW of power from fossil fuel-fired generation plants that are 40 or more years old, and that represents a $165 billion opportunity for newer, more efficient electric generation plants over the next five years, many of which could be fired by natural gas, Calpine Corp. CEO Jack Fusco told analysts Tuesday at the independent power plant operator’s annual financial conference in Houston.

Texas natural gas producers would be required to add a “tracer” liquid to help identify the fluids they use in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations under a bill filed in the state legislature last Friday.

Oil and natural gas producers and environmental groups routinely have been at odds with each other over the practice of hydraulic fracturing (fracking), but they are now working together to draft a framework for regulation.

In a coal-dependent state whose economy depends on energy exports, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert last Tuesday rolled out a framework for a statewide energy initiative that he hopes will include coal, renewables and various alternatives.

In a coal-dependent state whose economy depends on energy exports, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert on Tuesday rolled out a framework for a statewide energy initiative that he hopes will include coal, renewables and various alternatives.

September natural gas futures stretched their losing streak to five for the week on Friday but relative to the economy-dependent crude oil market fared reasonably well.