Bill Allowing More Drilling Along Coasts Appears Dead

Just a few months ago House Republicans and representatives of the energy industry were poised to rewrite a quarter-century of national energy policy and open the seas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to oil and gas drilling, which environmentalists had fervently resisted.

But Tuesday’s Democratic victory in midterm elections has changed the legislative landscape, obliterating the chances that anything close to the aggressive drilling bill passed by the House of Representatives will be enacted for years to come.

U.K.: Experts warn of energy shortfall

New nuclear reactors cannot be built in time to fill the huge shortfall in electricity generating capacity expected a decade from now, top energy company executives will warn the Government this week.

The Coal Forum, a group of leading industry figures set up over the summer as part of the Government's Energy Review, will instead argue for support for the construction of a new generation of clean coal plants.

Coal Can Offer Alternative for Oil

The days of coal may be thought to be long over, but a private research institute predicts its revival as an alternative energy source in the age of expensive oil and natural gas, especially for Korea and other countries that rely heavily on imported oil.

Climate change: the global test

The gap between what is needed to curb global warming and what seems feasible remains enormous. A timetable for action and a plan to implement it is essential.

Global growth in carbon emissions is 'out of control'

The growth in global emissions of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels over the past five years was four times greater than for the preceding 10 years, according to a study that exposes critical flaws in the attempts to avert damaging climate change.

'Environment be damned'

Economic progress at the cost of environmental hazards is absolutely okay, feel Indians who are ‘aware’ of the implications of climate change and global warming, says a Greenpeace study carried out by the Social and Environmental Research Centre division of Synovate.

U.K.: News analysis: Climate Change

In the future we may each have our own personal emissions allowance. When that happens, we will truly have entered the carbon age. Until then, this is how a world of national CO2 targets looks.

Kyoto countries seen agreeing steps to extend pact

NAIROBI - No breakthrough will happen next week in talks to extend the Kyoto pact on global warming, but a softening of stances will produce an agreement on next steps to take, senior negotiators have told Reuters.

Russia firm to increase oil supply to China

Russia's biggest oil exporter to China said on Friday it plans to boost supplies to the country by up to 65 per cent next year, aiming to eventually become the country's largest foreign partner in the energy field.

'Global oil prices may flare up again'

Economic think-tank NCAER has warned that global crude oil prices may again flare up in view of tight spare capacity in the international markets.

Gunmen invade oil station in Nigerian delta

ABUJA (Reuters) - Gunmen invaded an oil pumping station in Nigeria's southern Niger Delta on Saturday night, taking an unknown number of staff hostage and seizing a military houseboat, an oil industry source said on Sunday.

The attack on the facility operated by Italy's Agip in the creeks of Bayelsa state comes as another flow station run by the same firm elsewhere in the state is under occupation by protesters demanding compensation for oil spills.

Nigeria's oil workers threaten strike to protest insecurity

ABUJA - Oil workers in Nigeria threatened to resume a strike they called off after two days in September, accusing the government of reneging on the promises it made to them two months ago.

Trendy roof turbines are not as green as they look

Green campaigners warn that rooftop windmills do little to cut greenhouse gases, may annoy your neighbours, cause vibrations that could damage your home and produce only enough electricity to power a hairdryer.

Critics of biofuel have it all wrong

Ethanol's critics argue that America cannot produce enough biofuel from agricultural commodities to break our addiction to oil without impacting the availability of food. The facts suggest we can do it in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner. With the help of biotechnology, producers can grow enough corn and other agricultural crops to both provide raw material for our biorefineries and feed our people.