Energy Transition

A major distributor of renewable natural gas (RNG) for transportation has crafted separate partnerships with global supermajors BP plc and Total SE to expand U.S. production of the potentially carbon-negative fuel. Newport Beach, CA-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced Monday it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create a 50/50 joint venture with Total…

California has authorized Sempra Energy’s two state utilities to begin a three-year voluntary pilot program that would offer renewable natural gas (RNG) to residential and small commercial/industrial customers. Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas and Electric Co. (SDG&E) were approved to begin the $2 million demonstration by the California Public Utilities Commission…

Minnesota Power has become the first Minnesota utility to deliver 50% renewable energy to customers, bringing the company closer to its energy mix goal of two-thirds renewable energy and natural gas, and one-third “environmentally compliant” coal, the company said Wednesday. The company reached the milestone when its Nobles 2 wind project in southwestern Minnesota came…

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) recently revealed separate field test and demonstration programs to clear the way for commercial-scale blending of hydrogen into its gas distribution system. The Sempra Energy subsidiary plans to begin a two-year field test in March at its engineering facility east of downtown Los Angeles, examining a new technology that can…

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Thursday unveiled his selections for the top climate and energy posts in his administration, leaving little doubt of an impending sea change in federal policy when he takes office on Jan. 20. The nominations and appointments comprise U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM), Department of the Interior (DOI) secretary; former…

BP plc has taken a majority stake in Finite Carbon, the largest developer of U.S. forest carbon offsets, with plans to accelerate business opportunities overseas. Using its internal business accelerator BP Launchpad, the supermajor said it plans to provide the oomph for Finite to expand into international markets. BP already held a stake in the…

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Thursday unveiled his picks for the top climate and energy posts in his administration, leaving little doubt of an impending sea change in federal policy when he takes office on Jan. 20. The nominations and appointments comprise U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM), Department of the Interior (DOI) secretary; former…

ExxonMobil on Monday announced more ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the next five years only a week after a group of shareholders called for an overhaul of strategic goals. The Irving, TX-based supermajor also expects to meet a 2020 forecast set two years ago to cut global methane emissions by 15%…

Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions dropped sharply in 2020 in the United States, brought lower by petroleum demand destruction created by the pandemic and deepened by travel limitations imposed by governments to slow its spread, according to a new federal projection. In its December Short-Term Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said energy-sector…