Four years ago, when I was still chief economist at CIBC World Markets, I forecast that global economic growth was on pace to send oil prices (CL-FT90.60-0.06-0.07%) to $200 (U.S.) a barrel […]
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Booming Shipping Network

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Few Seize on a U.S. Bond Program Backing Green Energy
With the country reeling in 2008 from the financial crisis, Congress created a special program to help struggling local governments finance clean energy projects. Under the initiative, cities and counties could sell […]
Rethinking the role of government in cleantech
Another year, another wringing of the hands over tax credits and incentives for clean technology. Lobbyists and vendors in the U.S. are once again singing the blues, calling for continued and expanding […]
New IMF Working Paper Models Impact of Oil Limits on the Economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently issued a new working paper called “The Future of Oil: Geology versus Technology” (free PDF), which should be of interest to people who are following “peak […]
EIA publishes monthly biodiesel production data for 2010 and 2011

U.S. production of biodiesel was a record 109 million gallons in December 2011, according to new data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Production came from 113 active biodiesel plants. […]
U.S. Will Be Hard-Pressed to Meet Its Biofuel Mandates

Under the 2007 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stipulates that gasoline and diesel refiners must blend a certain amount of “renewable fuel” into their products or face penalties. […]
Obama’s Biggest Climate Decision Of The Year May Be … Palm Oil?
The Obama administration is poised to make one of the biggest climate policy decisions of its entire administration – and it’s not about coal, oil, or gas, but rainforests. EPA is deciding […]
Participation in electric net-metering programs increased sharply in recent years

Electricity consumers are participating in net-metering programs in growing numbers. When individuals or businesses install small onsite generators (such as a rooftop solar system), they can usually enter into a net-metering agreement […]
Study: Lithium Overcapacity, Consolidation Coming

After a year and a half of two mainstream electric vehicles hitting the market, I think it is safe to say that sales aren’t panning out how automakers had hoped. High prices, […]