March 18, 2015 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has released a free data add-in for Microsoft Excel for Windows that builds on the well-known Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) add-in and allows users to find, download, and update EIA's energy data and FRED's economic data directly in any Excel spreadsheet. With this add-in, users can save spreadsheets with their favorite data series and reopen them at any time and update the data with a single click. This ability to easily access the latest available data will save time and effort for analysts performing periodic analyses of energy and economic data. The tool mirrors the functionality of the existing economic-data-only add-in provided by the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank . Users can browse energy data categories or search keywords to find domestic and international data series, short-term forecasts, and long-term projections. A user guide...

Elevator shafts accounted for much of the heat loss in New York City buildings, leaks that cost owners money and have detrimental environmental effects, according to a study by the Urban Green Council. Original link Original author: LISA

EERE offers webinars to the public on a range of subjects, from adopting the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, to training for the clean energy workforce. Webinars are free; however, advanced registration is typically required. You can also watch archived webinars and browse previously aired videos, slides, and transcripts. Upcoming Webinars March 18:  Live Webinar on Hiring Veterans for Solar Energy Jobs Webinar Sponsor: SunShot Initiative The Energy Department will cosponsor a live webinar titled "Call to Action! Hire Skilled Veterans Today!"  on Wednesday, March 18, from 2:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.  This webinar will discuss the federal government's efforts to promote the hiring of U.S. vets in the solar workforce. In addition, participants will learn about vets entering private practice, best practices in company recruiting and retention of vets, how the post-9/11 GI Bill can aid in the hiring process, and other available federal resources....

March 17, 2015 EIA's most recent Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) indicates a change in the crude oil production growth patterns in three key oil producing regions: the Eagle Ford, Niobrara, and Bakken . The DPR estimates, which were issued on March 9 and cover the months of March and April, include the first projected declines in crude oil production in these regions since 2009. However, with production gains continuing in other regions, particularly the Permian, overall crude oil production in regions tracked by the DPR rose slightly in March to 5.6 million barrels per day. Total production in the DPR regions in April is expected to be virtually unchanged from its March level. In any given month, there are new wells and legacy, or continuing, wells. Production from legacy wells declines over time, but recently the rate of decline in some regions has been increasing. This means that, in order for...

The Energy Department today announced $1.8 million in funding for the development of larger wind turbine blades that will help capture more power from wind resources and increase the efficiency of wind energy systems. This funding will support the research and development of technological innovations to improve the manufacturing, transportation, and assembly of wind turbine blades longer than 60 meters. Larger blades that can be installed on wind turbines with taller hub heights will help facilitate the deployment of the next generation of multi-megawatt wind turbines. In December 2014, the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory released maps that illustrate the potential for new wind energy resources that developers could unlock using next-generation wind turbine technologies. These taller turbines accompanied by longer blades have the potential to harness wind power resources from more than one million additional square miles of the United States, roughly triple the amount of developable land that...

March 16, 2015 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly and Short-Term Energy Outlook Residential electricity customers in most areas of the country experienced large increases in retail electricity prices during 2014, with the average U.S. residential price increasing 3.1% over the previous year. The increase represents the highest annual growth rate since 2008. EIA forecasts that prices will increase during 2015, but at a slower pace than in 2014. Residential electricity rate increases during 2014 ranged from 1.3% in the Pacific Coast states to 9.9% in New England. Retail electricity prices have risen for various reasons. Many electric utilities purchase their power from regional wholesale electricity markets, which, at a national level, experienced higher prices last year. Other reasons commonly cited for higher retail electricity prices are the increased investment in transmission and distribution infrastructure , rising requirements to generate electricity from renewable energy sources, and utility...

Premier Li Keqiang acknowledged that there was a gap between the government’s efforts and public ire about pervasive smog. Original link Original author: EDWARD

Carbon dioxide emissions from the world’s energy producers stalled in 2014, the first time in 40 years of measurement that the level did not increase during a period of economic expansion, the International Energy Agency says. Original link Original author: JOHN

March 13, 2015 EIA has updated a report on federal subsidies to the energy industry , covering the 2013 fiscal year (FY). The most recent prior report reviewed subsidies in FY 2010, at or near the height of spending related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (more commonly known as the Recovery Act). Between FY 2010 and FY 2013, the total value of direct federal financial interventions and subsidies in energy markets decreased 23% from $38.0 billion to $29.3 billion dollars, reflecting changes in both the type of subsidies offered and fuels that received support. EIA's updated study focuses on direct federal financial interventions by the federal government that provide a financial benefit with an identifiable federal budget impact and are specifically targeted at energy markets. Within this scope are: Direct expenditures (cash payments directly to market participants) Tax expenditures (reductions in tax payments) Investment in research and...

Present Day to 2050, Report Quantifies the Economic and Social Benefits of Robust Wind Energy Growth WASHINGTON – In support of the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy to diversify our nation’s power supplies, the Energy Department today released a new report looking at the future of wind power through 2050 and the economic benefits that come with a robust wind industry. The report, Wind Vision: A New Era for Wind Power in the United States , confirms that with technological advancements driving projected cost reductions, in combination with continued siting and transmission development, wind power can be economically deployed to provide renewable power in all 50 states. The report highlights the importance of wind in the nation’s energy portfolio and how critical it is to advance wind’s position in the energy marketplace to maintain the nation’s existing wind manufacturing infrastructure and economic benefits. The report includes a roadmap that defines actions needed...