Natural Gas

Energy People: Bob Catell

We talked with Bob Catell, former deputy chairman of National Grid plc.

Bob Catell was formerly chairman and CEO of KeySpan Corporation, the former Brooklyn Union Gas. He’s presently chairman of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center at Stony Brook University, and of the New York State Smart Grid Consortium.
Byline: 

Bob Catell, with Steve Mitnick

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Unsung Role of Fossil Fuels in the Miracle of U.S. Growth

Past, Present, and Future, Part I

Robert Gordon’s seminal book, The Rise and Fall of American Growth, has a pessimistic message with profound economic, social, and political implications. But nowhere in Gordon’s 762-page book does he give credit to fossil fuels for the economic miracle of the past two centuries. In this article, I focus on the critical historical role that fossil fuels played in creating the technological and economic miracles that Gordon articulates so well.
Byline: 

Roger H. Bezdek

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POPS Is Here to Stay

Reports of Plain Old Power Service’s death greatly exaggerated

The vast majority of electric consumers want reliable, clean, reasonably priced electricity, and little else.
Byline: 

Steve Huntoon

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Energy Company's Pipe Dream

Why $3.3 Billion Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline Was Defeated

It’s a David and Goliath story. But instead of a slingshot, David in this case fired off a stiff legal challenge to defeat the giant.
Byline: 

Vincent DeVito

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Beware of Vertical Arrangements for Gas Procurement

Owning gas reserves benefits consumers?

Regulators should start with the premise that long-term contracting with an independent gas producer or middleman is preferable (e.g., with a marketer). Vertical arrangements pose a number of tough questions for state public utility regulators.
Byline: 

Kenneth Costello

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Getting Berned

What’s the price tag of banning fracking?

Ironically, a ban on fracking would increase coal generation, which emits carbon dioxide at twice the rate of gas generation.
Byline: 

Steve Huntoon

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An Industry Transformed

Looking back on my 45 years in the energy sector.

By diving into today’s more diverse energy sector and embracing change, utilities stand to benefit over the long term. This is precisely why I am so excited about the future, even if I do occasionally look back wistfully on the past.
Byline: 

Roy Palk

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Rhode Island: The Challenge of an Aging Infrastructure

2015 Regulators Forum

Clearly, one of the most significant issues we face today is aging infrastructure. It’s akin to a marathon – a race we absolutely have to finish. Since 1990 we’ve replaced more than 65,000 miles of cast iron and bare steel pipe, but we still have a long way to go.
Byline: 

Paul J. Roberti, Rhode Island PUC

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