June 13th, 2012

Risk attitudes shapes national oil company strategies

Based on the research in Oil and Governance, PESD researchers Mark Thurber and David Hults argue that the incentives an NOC faces to take, avoid, or manage risk critically determine its strategy and whether it can achieve the particular goals of its host government. Read more »

June 5th, 2012

Join us at our conference on "The New U.S. Role in Global Fossil Fuel Markets"

On Tuesday, December 11, 2012, the Program on Energy and Sustainable Development will host an all-day conference on "The New U.S. Role in Global Fossil Fuel Markets" The conference session topics are: (1) the implications of the unconventional natural gas revolution for the U.S. energy industry and global natural gas trade; (2) the changing role of the U.S. in the global oil market, and its geopolitical and economic implications; (3) the future of the U.S. coal industry in the domestic and global energy industry; and (4) the trends in conventional fossil fuels and alternative energy sources uses in the transportation sector. Each session will feature a presentation by an academic or industry expert followed by discussants from the industry, policymaking, and academic communities, with an opportunity for audience comment and discussion. The conference will conclude with panel of distinguished industry experts addressing the question, “Will Natural Gas Become a Major Transportation Fuel in the U.S.?” Read more »

May 15th, 2012

Wolak presents at Energy Risk USA Conference

PESD director Frank Wolak spoke on role of congestion revenue rights (CRRs) and financial transmission rights (FTRs) in improving energy market efficiency at the Energy Risk magazine’s 16th annual 2-day conference. Read more »

April 27th, 2012

Six new U.S. coal export sites in the works

Facing flagging domestic demand, US coal producers are pushing hard for rail and port infrastructure that would enable exports to China from the Pacific Northwest, says PESD researcher Richard Morse in Climate Wire. (PESD's upcoming annual conference will consider the environmental impacts of such developments.)

• » Climate Wire's article: Oregon's governor wants comprehensive study of export-site impacts

April 17th, 2012

Thurber quoted on Argentina's planned re-nationalization of YPF

PESD associate director Mark Thurber argues in Bloomberg News that Argentina’s government should not expect a near-term boost in domestic fuel production from its planned re-nationalization of oil company YPF, which is majority-owned by Spain’s Repsol. Even over the longer term, national oil companies are not always effective instruments for serving government goals like increased domestic production. The timing is especially sensitive given the nascent development of Argentina’s massive unconventional hydrocarbon resources. Read more »

April 9th, 2012

US on the verge of becoming major coal exporter

As abundant domestic natural gas production erodes coal’s market share in the US, coal producers are looking to overseas markets for growth. At the Argus Americas Coal Summit, Richard Morse gave a presentation discussing the competitive dynamics of US coal exports in world markets. Morse argued that conditions for expansion of US steam coal exports are favorable, but key risks remain that could make or break this “globalization” of the US coal market. Read more »

March 2nd, 2012

Wolak speaks to the Western Chapter at Energy Bar Association

PESD director Frank Wolak spoke at The Energy Bar Association Eleventh Annual Western Chapter Meeting held on February 24, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel. Wolak’s topic was “Does the Federal Power Act Harm Wholesale Market Efficiency and Potential Consumer Benefits from Electricity Industry Re-structuring?”

February 16th, 2012

National oil companies can cause pain at pump, research shows

State-owned oil companies dominate the world's oil supplies, and politicians often cannot resist getting involved. When they do, the result is often excessive pollution, poor company performance and volatile oil prices. PESD's Mark Thurber makes the case in a new book.

• » Thurber's research featured in Stanford Report
• » Oil and Governance: State-owned Enterprises and the World Energy Supply

February 14th, 2012

Solar lighting and charging research receives FSI funding

PESD's new research on "Solar Lighting and Phone Charging in East Africa: Understanding Adoption, Business Models, and Development Outcomes" was awarded funding from the Freeman Spogli Institute’s Global Underdevelopment Action Fund. Read more »

Thurber talks about what “clean coal” means in Asia

In his National Bureau of Asian Research interview, Mark Thurber outlines the key issues that define Asia’s rising energy demand, the emerging global market for coal, new technologies for this age-old energy source, and how stakeholders can come together to help shape the region's future energy mix. Read more »

February 3rd, 2012

Wolak speaks on California's power and carbon markets

PESD director Frank A. Wolak presented at Platt's 7th annual California Power Market Forum on the impacts of the recent implementation of convergence (or virtual) bidding in the California wholesale electricity market. Frank also chaired a panel discussion on the progress of the implementation of California's AB 32 law, which seeks to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Read more »