OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Obama to talk energy in Friday speech

Obama also pledged to take new executive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if Congress doesn’t act on major climate legislation.

THE REST OF FRIDAY’S AGENDA:

Greening transportation in focus for Capitol Hill briefing

A briefing Friday will probe opportunities to curb carbon emissions from cars and trucks.

{mosads}The Environmental and Energy Studies Institute and the Energy Department Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) will tout a new study on the topic.

The study evaluates ways to curb petroleum use and greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 percent in the transportation sector, noting it accounts for about 71 percent of U.S. petroleum use and 33 percent of carbon emissions.

Speakers include Michael Carr, principal deputy assistant secretary with EERE, and Austin Brown, senior analyst with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

For more on the Capitol Hill briefing, click here.

Coal emissions technology under microscope

A separate event Friday will explore the nexus of coal-fired power generation, greenhouse gas regulations and technology.

Ben Yamagata, executive director of the Coal Utilization Research Council, will offer his insights on the role emissions-control technology will play in meeting U.S. energy needs and environmental rules.

He also will offer thoughts on what new, pending and possible regulations mean for the nation’s coal-fired power fleet.

For more information on the event, which is being hosted by the National Capital Area Chapter of the U.S. Association for Energy Economics, click here.

Experts discuss shale gas opportunities in China

The potential for Chinese shale gas to displace the nation’s coal use will get a look during a Friday in event hosted by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

From an advisory:

According to China’s 12th Fifth-Year Plan, the Chinese government is prioritizing more gas in the energy mix, using it as a “bridging” fuel between coal and a cleaner energy future. Although a shale and natural gas revolution is unlikely, at least in the short-term, these forms of energy offer promise of a more low-carbon development path for China.

Speakers include Xizhou Zhou, director with IHS CERA’s China program, and Briana Mordick, staff scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council.

For more on the event, which will be webcast, click here.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Check out these stories that ran on E2-Wire Thursday . . .

— Sanctions leveled over intricate Iranian oil-shipping plot

— GOP senators: Obama vague on Keystone timeline at meeting

— DOE internal watchdog cites endemic problems with contractors

— Pelosi questions Keystone pipeline value

— GOP: White House foot-dragging imperils US access to Mexican energy market

— Funding bill amendments target military biofuels

— Obama ‘out of excuses’ for delaying Keystone, GOP chairman says

— Report: Solar industry has record year

— No spin: Regulators eye new rules for ceiling fans

— Obama to supporters: Give lawmakers political cover for climate action 

NEWS BITES:

BP’s trading unit under scrutiny

Reuters reports:

BP’s oil trading division, the alma mater for a generation of the world’s top traders and a former cash-generating machine, is under greater scrutiny after becoming a weak link for the oil major.

The whole story is here.

Big data and energy

Time magazine explores how “energy use could … be transformed by big data analytics.”

Check out the story here.

The fate of Keystone’s oil

The Wall Street Journal looks at the fate of oil that would flow through the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

“Much of the crude oil that would flow down the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline would likely be exported as refined products by U.S. companies—a prospect that is stirring further debate over whether the project serves the nation’s best interest,” the Journal reports.

Check out the whole story here.

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