According to a new report from MIT, released in January, bioenergy production could cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than half, but with a caveat. “To achieve the cut”, notes MIT in a press release, “the carbon price must cover emissions from changing land use. Without this safeguard, deforestation becomes a major concern as forests are cleared to make way for farmland.” … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2015
Arctic oil put on ice
Low oil prices have prompted Chevron and Statoil to suspend their drilling plans in the Arctic. Sanctions against Russia have forced Rosneft to delay its Arctic campaign. Only Shell still seems to be bent on drilling in the North Pole region, reports Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com. … [Read more...]
Bulgaria – the EU’s next gasless gas hub (Or: is Bulgaria trying to become the new Ukraine?)
In response to the cancellation of South Stream, the Bulgarian government has launched a programme to turn Bulgaria into a “gas hub” for the region – an initiative welcomed by the European Commission and the United States.  Anca Elena Mihalache, Senior Analyst at the Romanian think tank Energy Policy Group, notes that Bulgaria has few sources of gas other than Russia and does not have a good record in creating liberalized energy markets. … [Read more...]