By Jay Kohn, KTVQ
A TC Energy spokeswoman told MTN News Wednesday that construction on the pipeline crossing between the United States and Canada, did not get underway this morning as was previously anticipated. Spokeswoman Sara Rabern described the situation as “fluid”. On Tuesday, TC Energy announced the Keystone Pipeline project has new life – thanks to a $1 billion investment from the government of Alberta that will fund the project for the next year. The pipelines would transfer oil from the tar sands of Alberta to an existing line in Nebraska. The project has multiple ongoing challenges in federal court. Read more here.
Previously Posted News Stories & Resources:
TAR SANDS’ PRICE
U.S. Coal Bankruptcies Reveal The Future Of Alberta Tar Sands, Forbes
With oil demand softening, only the most efficient oil producers will survive. By some estimates, “the price of oil could permanently plummet to $25 a barrel by the mid-2020s. Only the cheapest oil in places like Saudi Arabia could be economically produced. Canada’s oil sands, where most projects need an oil price of $60 to $80 a barrel just to break even, would cease to make financial sense.”
STRANDED ASSETS
- “Stranded assets” are referenced in the above article. What are they?
According to the Carbon Tracker Initiative: Stranded assets are now generally accepted to be fossil fuel supply and generation resources which, at some time prior to the end of their economic life (as assumed at the investment decision point), are no longer able to earn an economic return (i.e. meet the company’s internal rate of return), as a result of changes associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy. - The growing concern over stranded assets, GreenBiz
FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES’ ENERGY TRANSITION
Thriving in a low carbon future: M&A and the new energy economy, Utility Dive
Contributed article by Mary Anne Sullivan, Sarah Shaw and Alex Harrison, Partners at Hogan Lovells. Traditional oil and gas companies and utilities want to ride the wave of new technologies that can preserve their market position, even as old markets are redefined. Many companies have a combination of these motives. One particular trend we are witnessing in this sector is traditional oil and gas and utilities companies moving into new areas, principally renewable energy, electric vehicles and storage.
NEBRASKA’S ENERGY TRANSITION / LOCAL LEADERSHIP
- Wind Energy In Nebraska, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Wind Projects as of 4Q 2019:
Installed wind capacity: 2,142 MW » State rank for installed wind capacity: 14th
Number of wind turbines: 1,045 » State rank for number of wind turbines: 16th
Wind projects online: 26 (Projects larger than 10 MW: 19)
Wind capacity under construction: 1,011 MW
Wind capacity in advanced development: 200 MW - Solar Energy Generation in Nebraska, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
- Community Scale / Utility-Scale Solar in Nebraska – Plus Additional News Stories
- OPPD Laying The Groundwork For A Bright Energy Future, OPPD News Release
Initiatives will include a long-term study to address the long-term balance of load generation, along with decarbonization options for the district’s generation mix. Vice President Mary Fisher spoke to the topic, noting that the energy generation landscape is changing rapidly. Fisher said the drivers are primarily improving renewable technology, and environmental considerations around carbon emissions and climate change, “something our customers clearly care about.” - Lincoln, Nebraska, A SolSmart Gold Designee: City Receives National Recognition for Promoting Solar Energy, City of Lincoln Mayor’s Office News Release, September 9, 2019
- Solar panels gaining popularity in Lincoln, 1011 NOW
LES says that solar energy use in Lincoln doesn’t stack up to bigger coastal cities but we are using it more than other Midwest cities. “Compared to other states in our region the number of systems is pretty good,” said Marc Shkolnick the manager of energy services with LES said. - Examples of Solar Projects: Nebraska Utilities, Municipalities, Farms, Nonprofits, Businesses, Homes, Schools & Other Sites
- MEAN Board Approves Resolution On Vision For Carbon Neutrality By 2050, MEAN News Release
SECURITIZATION
Securitization laws are easing the transition from coal and other fossil fuels in the following states:
- How Securitization Can Help Achieve a Just Transition for Coal Communities, by Jeremy Richardson, Senior Energy Analyst, Union of Concerned Scientists
- How Utilities Can Swap Coal Debt For Clean Energy Equity, guest post written by Ron Lehr, a former Chairman of the Colorado Public Utilities commission and an Expert at America’s Power Plan. Published by Forbes.
- Securitization fever: Renewables advocates seize Wall Street’s innovative way to end coal, by Herman K. Trabish, Utility Dive
Nebraska Utilities’ Programs & Incentives