Sources say that Canada could drop its oil emission cap as part of a new climate plan
Three sources familiar with the discussions said that the Canadian government was in talks with Alberta and energy companies about removing a federal cap for emissions in the oil and gas industry if both the province and the industry reduced their carbon footprints in other ways. Sources who weren't authorized to publicly discuss the discussions said that the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney has discussed the removal of the cap with the oil companies…
Sources say that Canada could drop its oil emission cap as part of a new climate plan
Three sources familiar with the discussions said that the Canadian government was in talks with Alberta and energy companies about removing a federal cap on the emissions of the oil and gas industry if they reduced their carbon footprints in other ways. Three sources who weren't authorized to publicly discuss the talks said that the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney has discussed the removal of the cap with the…
Sources say that Canada could drop its oil emission cap as part a new climate plan
Three sources familiar with the discussions said that the Canadian government was in talks with Alberta and energy companies about removing a federal cap on the emissions of the oil and gas industry if they reduced their carbon footprints in other ways. Three sources who weren't authorized to publicly discuss the talks said that the government of Prime Minister Mark Carney has discussed removing a federal cap on emissions…
Senators from refinery states try to stop Trump from shifting the renewable fuel obligation
According to a draft of legislation that was seen by the, oil refinery state lawmakers, led by Senator Mike Lee (a Republican from Utah), will introduce legislation to stop President Donald Trump from shifting renewable-fuel blending obligations away from smaller refineries and towards larger ones. The bill reflects the political divisions in the U.S. Biofuels Policy, which pits farm interests against the oil industry that supports U.S. productions of biofuels such as corn-based bioethanol.
Draft shows that EU countries are trying to limit the ways in which Russian gas can be circumvented by EU countries.
A draft of the latest negotiation proposal for the rules seen by revealed that the European Union is trying to block any way Russian gas can still enter Europe after the phase-out. The European Commission proposed legislation in June to phase out EU oil and gas imports from Russia by January 1, 2028. This is because Brussels wants to end its decades-old relationship with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The…
White House review of waiver plan for biofuel pits refiners against farmers
The White House is reviewing an important rule that could change the balance between oil refiners, farmers and the Renewable Fuel Standard. It will determine how to redistribute large volumes of biofuel blend obligations that have been recently exempted. The result, which is expected in the next few weeks, will determine what happens to billions of gallons U.S. demand for ethanol and biodiesel. This demand is vital for…
Guyana elects a leader amid controversy over oil wealth
Guyanese voters head to the polls Monday to elect members of parliament and the president who will decide how the hydrocarbon boom in the South American nation will be spent. Since ExxonMobil began pumping offshore oil late in 2019, Guyana has seen its economy grow at a rate of 7.5 billion dollars. Irfaan Ali is running for reelection as the leader of the People's Progressive Party. He has been in office since 2020. His government has used oil revenue to build roads, hospitals and schools.
Document shows EU wants proof of Russian gas origin in order to enforce Russian ban
A document obtained by revealed that European Union countries may impose stricter requirements for companies to prove the source of gas imported as part the bloc's plan phase out Russian imports. Last month, the European Commission proposed legislation that would phase out EU imports from Russia by January 1, 2028. This is part of a plan to end decades of energy relations between Russia and Brussels following Russia's 2022 invasion in Ukraine.
Ali, the Guyanan president, seeks a second term amid a oil boom
Guyanese will vote in general elections on Monday. They'll decide if President Irfaan Ali's People's Progressive Party, which controls the country's government, can keep its parliamentary majority. It's also a chance to determine if they want to continue leading one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. ExxonMobil's offshore discoveries have helped the South American nation, which is home to 800,000 people and has experienced double-digit growth in its economy for five straight years.
Polish President vetoes Bill to ease rules on building wind farms
Karol Nawrocki, the Polish president, vetoed on Thursday a bill that would have eased rules for onshore wind farm construction. He said that the government's decision to combine it with a price freeze on energy was "blackmail". The accusation is a new salvo in the battle against the centre-right government of Donald Tusk. He is an arch rival to the allies of the president in the nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS).
Trump Administration unveils tougher rules on solar and wind subsidies
Trump's administration will likely take another step to curb the growth of renewable energies in the United States as early as Monday by making it more difficult for companies to claim federal subsidies for wind and sun energy. The Treasury Department will meet a deadline of 45 days, set in July by U.S. president Donald Trump, to revise the rules that govern who is eligible for tax credits on clean energy, which are being phased out earlier than expected under Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Germany accelerates geothermal energy projects
The German cabinet approved on Wednesday a draft bill aimed at accelerating the rollout geothermal projects as part of Germany's goal to eliminate fossil-fuel-based heating before 2045. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, interest in geothermal power has risen. This is due to a rise in energy costs, which has prompted both municipal utilities as well as energy companies, to look for new low-carbon heating options.
South Korea: timing of U.S. auto tariff reduction not yet decided
Kim Jung-kwan, South Korea's Minister of Industry, said that Seoul must continue to discuss with Washington the timing of the promised reductions in tariffs on South Korea's auto exports to the U.S. Last week, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would impose a 15% duty on all imports coming from South Korea. This is part of an agreement to ease tensions between the U.S. and a key Asian ally. The U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea…
New Zealand lifts the ban on oil and Gas Exploration imposed by Ardern
The New Zealand parliament passed legislation on Thursday to reopen New Zealand for offshore oil exploration. This lifted a ban placed by the former prime minister Jacinda Ardern. The law allows companies to apply for permits as early as September, even if they are not located in Taranaki. This energy-rich region of the North Island is a rich source of petroleum. Environmental groups have said that the decision to restart the exploration is a setback to the country's move to renewable energy.
Trump cuts subsidies for US clean energy, bringing an end to the boom.
Bila Solar, a Singapore-based manufacturer of solar panels, has suspended plans to double the capacity of its new Indianapolis factory. Heliene, a Canadian competitor, is reviewing its plans to build a solar-cell facility in Minnesota. NorSun, a Norwegian manufacturer of solar wafers, is evaluating the feasibility of a planned facility in Tulsa. Two offshore wind farms that are fully permitted in the U.S. Northeast could never be built.
Greece invites Libya for maritime zone talks in order to improve strained relations
KyriakosMitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister, said late Wednesday that Greece had invited Libya's internationally recognized government in Tripoli for talks to begin on delineating exclusive economic zones on the Mediterranean Sea. The move aims to repair the strained relations between the two neighbors, caused by the controversial maritime agreement signed in 2019 between Libya's government and Turkey, Greece’s longtime enemy, which defined a sea zone near the Greek island Crete.
Brazil's lawmakers revoke environmental permits ahead of the COP30 summit
The Brazilian Congress passed legislation Thursday that loosens environmental licensing. This could be a blow to President Luiz inacio da Silva, who is trying to improve his country's image as a green nation before it hosts the United Nations' global climate summit COP30 this year. The bill was passed by a large majority of Congress, where the powerful agribusiness group has a lot of influence. This is despite criticisms from environmentalists and members Lula's Cabinet…
US launches national security investigations into imported polysilicon, drones
The U.S. Commerce Department announced on Monday that it had opened national security inquiries into the importation of drones, related components and polysilicon. Polysilicon is a critical component in solar cells and semiconductors. The "Section 232", investigations that were launched on July 1, but had not been publicly announced before, could serve as a basis to impose even higher tariffs for imported drones, polysilicon, and derivatives thereof.
Clean-energy supporters blast US budget as a setback
Clean energy advocates decried Thursday the House of Representatives' final passage of the President Donald Trump tax cut bill as a reverse in the energy transition. Meanwhile, fossil fuel interests celebrated. The bill now goes to Trump's desk. Trump is expected sign the bill on Friday. The law drastically reduces the 30% tax credit that developers were relying on for their solar and wind projects. This credit was set to last until 2032.
Germany supports cross-border gas deal with Netherlands
The German cabinet backed a deal on Wednesday with the Netherlands that would support the extraction of gas from a reservoir located in the North Sea. Berlin is looking to increase its domestic gas production. After the Ukraine conflict and Germany's decision not to import Russian gas, the government is now focusing on alternative solutions, such as increasing domestic exploration and extraction. Since decades, the German natural gas industry has seen a decline.