GLG News by Thermal Coal Experts

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

Potential Setback for Central Appalachia Mine Permits

March 24, 2009

Analysis of:EPA Halts Hundreds of Mountaintop Mining Permits | www.miamiherald.com

    EPA sent two letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expressing serious concerns about the need to reduce the potential harmful impacts on water quality caused by certain types of coal mining practices, such as mountaintop mining. The letters specifically addressed two new surface coal mining operations in West Virginia and Kentucky. EPA also intends to review other requests for mining permits.     This EPA action follows shortly after the Court’s favorable ruling on the mining practice in February 2009.  This EPA action may negatively affect the producers.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

SO2 Allowances Comments

March 24, 2009

Analysis of:2009 EPA Allowance Auction Results | www.epa.gov

    SO2 allowances are traded daily in the broker and private party markets.  The value of these credits are down substantially, affecting both the cost to generate electricity on coal and the realized sales price received by coal suppliers.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

Potential Consequences of EPA’s Proposal Regarding Global Warming on Infrastructure Projects

March 23, 2009

Analysis of:EPA: Global Warming Endangers Health. Finding Could Have Far-Reaching Implications for Economy and Environment | www.washingtonpost.com

    Back in Spring 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.  It appears the EPA in the new Presidential Administration may be moving forward in declaring global warming endangering health, requiring regulation on CO2 emissions.   The analysis section below discusses how this could have an effect on infrastructure projects.

Himadri BanerjiChairman and Managing DirectorEcoUrja

The Hybrid Electric Car Revolution Promises More Jobs

March 23, 2009

Analysis of:When ‘clean’ cars charge up on ‘dirty’ electricity | features.csmonitor.com

In the feature article in Christian Science Monitor, the question whether electric hybrid cars will be economical or not is answered in reference to an EPRI study of 2007. It would be in order to recollect some of the findings which are below. 1.The cost of powering hybrid car on electricity equivalent to 75 cents per gallon gasoline, a price which has not occured in the last thrirty years. 2.This is based on electricity cost of 8.5 cents per kwhr and if the charging is done in the off peak hours, the cost would be even better. 3. There is enough electricity available in the off peak hours to charge three quarters of our fleet of cars without building new ppower plants.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

Carbon Cap and Trade Program – Structure and Cost on Fossil Fuel-Fired Electricity

March 23, 2009

Analysis of:Obama Proposal Angers Coal Industry, Including Southern Indiana’s Duke Energy | www.newsandtribune.com

    The proposals by the Administration in Congress for a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions include what is called a “Cap and Trade” program.  Under a Cap and Trade program, the amount of annual CO2 emissions would be capped and an entity would have to have a CO2 allowance for each ton (or metric ton depending on the final wording of the law) emitted during the year. 

Himadri BanerjiChairman and Managing DirectorEcoUrja

March To Economic Recovery Begins From Gainsville, Florida

March 23, 2009

Analysis of:The Rooftop Revolution | www.washingtonmonthly.com

In a story Mariah Blake an editor of the Washington Monthly reports in the March April issue that with the introduction of feed in tariff (FIT) policy in the State of Florida, there is a spurt of investments in roof top solar in a little known town of 120000 residents, called Gainesville. There seems to be a gold rush, as entrepreneurs and residents are getting into the act bringing about the much anticipated recovery in the local economy. Hitherto all sorts of incentives like tax subsidy, investment subsidy, and accelerated depreciation failed in reining in the renewable solar industry from a free fall following the global meltdown. Feed in tariff brings an additional burden on rate payers; the community seems not to be minding this for the sake of the community. With this success, more states are likely to follow and hopefully US will be on its way to become the world’s largest roof top solar country displacing Germany which has had revolutionary success with feed in tariff.

Himadri BanerjiChairman and Managing DirectorEcoUrja

The First Power Plant With Carbon Capture and Storage Plant In US

March 23, 2009

Analysis of:Stimulus Money Puts Clean Coal Projects on a Faster Track | www.nytimes.com

In a news by Matthew Wald published in the New York Times dated March 16, 2009  it is reported that Duke Energy with funds from the economic stimulus plan has commenced work on a plant for capture and storage of carbon dioxide from their new coal fuelled power plant. Environmentalists and Energy Officials are keenly watching Duke Energy’s Clean Coal Project adjacent to their coal gasification and power plant project at Edwardsport, Ind which will sequester carbon dioxide from flue gases from their power plant under construction. This will be first such venture in US and will be funded by the economy stimulus plan. With $3.4 billion in the federal stimulus bill for carbon capture and sequestration, Duke Energy and other companies are therefore motivated for developing full-scale projects. However the cost is pegged by planners at 800million to 1 billion dollars for such project and we need to build one demonstration project to really understand the proof of technology and its economics.

Thomas ShewskiOwnerHigh Energy Services

U.S Coal Demand

March 23, 2009

Analysis of:U.S. Power Plants to Burn Less Coal in 2009: EIA | uk.reuters.com

U.S. domestic  demand coal demand is down due to lower electricity usage, less industrial demand, fuel switching to natural gas as a result of low natural gas prices and high NOx emissions costs on coal-fired generation, and high inventories at many coal plants.   U.S metallurgical coal demand is down due to steel demand being off.  Exports of metallurgical and steam coal will also be down from 2008’s robust export volumes.

Doug HousemanVice President Technical InnovationEnerNex, LLC

Areva and Alstom - A deal made in France

March 19, 2009

Analysis of:Siemens aims to sell Areva nuclear stake: report | www.reuters.com

Alstom and Areva will probably agree to a deal for the T&D portion of Areva, returning it to Alstom. The price will be about what Areva paid when Alstom needed cash.

Doug HousemanVice President Technical InnovationEnerNex, LLC

BG - Pure Energy Deal should happen

March 19, 2009

Analysis of:BG sweetens bid for Australia’s Pure Energy | www.ft.com

BG should be successful in the purchase of Pure Energy, barring a white knight.BG gains knowledge for non-traditional gas harvest methods potentially to apply in the UK.Pure Energy gains checkbook to expand in Australia and elsewhere.

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