Dramatic predictions and commentaries about the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of the fuel and petrochemical industries have made headlines.
A nationwide 95 RON octane standard for vehicles can deliver major carbon reductions in the nation’s light-duty auto fleet faster and at a lower cost than any other proposal being considered by policymakers right now, especially policies seeking to force nationwide vehicle electrification.
The cost of Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) compliance credits, specifically D6 renewable identification numbers (RINs), is out of control. Sales of D6 RINs for conventional ethanol recently registered above $1.90 (the highest trades in history).
Governmental and public interest in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is on the rise. Federal officials, labor unions and experts – including the International Energy Agency – have all identified CCUS as critical to achieving significant near-term reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Refineries are not the story when it comes to retail gasoline prices. Raw materials (in this case crude oil) account for the biggest share of the final price consumers pay.
Despite opposition from thousands of elected officials, state agencies, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders, EPA pressed ahead with its tighter ozone standards from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb on October 1st last year - a move that is expected to cost $1.4 billion annually and provide little economic benefit.
The Energy Information Administration today released figures that give everyone in the industry reason to cheer: U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2015 are 12% below their 2005 levels...
Right now, members of Congress are debating a series of taxes as part of the multi-trillion-dollar reconciliation package that could make the crude oil that runs through U.S. refineries more expensive.
COVID-19 upended energy markets. Demand disappeared and producers scaled back. Now that economies are reopening, and the demand for goods and services is rebounding, the demand for energy all along the supply chain is increasing, driving up not only the cost of the feedstocks and fuels refineries and petrochemical manufacturers use, but also the cost of the energy used at every step of the supply chain.