Energy & Fuel

TVA Public Relations Staff Edited Engineer's Report on Failed Coal-Ash Dam

Dam inspections began before the Dec. 2008 spill incident of 5.4 million cubic yards of coal-ash slurry in Tennessee. Afterward, the initial draft engineer's report of the pre-spill inspection noted several eroded areas needed to be fixed "immediately;" the word was subsequently struck from the report.

SEJ Publication Types: 
Topics on the Beat: 
Visibility: 
November 16, 2011

Tackling Tomorrow's Energy Challenges Today: A Southeastern Symposium at Duke University

The Southeastern United States is faced with several energy transitions in the coming years. This day-long symposium in Durham, NC will discuss these issues, identify crucial information gaps, and plot future directions for research and outreach.

Visibility: 
November 3, 2011 to November 4, 2011

Conference on the Assessment of Future Energy Systems (CAFES) in Calgary

Join global experts in energy systems thinking and top scientists, industry leaders and policy makers to identify the opportunities, challenges and integrated solutions for Canada and North America of the next energy system transformation. Special registration and accommodation rates available until October 7th.

Visibility: 
Region: 

"China Closes Solar-Panel Plant After Protests"

"Beijing -- Authorities ordered a solar-panel manufacturing plant in eastern China to close after four days of protests by hundreds of villagers who have accused the facility of causing air and water pollution, Chinese media reported Monday.

The decision is an indication of the growing power of environmental protesters to sway government policy in China. As many as 500 villagers participated in the protests near Haining, an industrial city of 640,000 in coastal Zhejiang province.

Source: LA Times, 09/20/2011

"China Invests Billions in Canada Oil Sands"

"FORT McMURRAY, Alberta -- As U.S. companies look toward oil riches in northern Canada, they're encountering increasing competition - as well as some much-needed cash infusions - from the Far East. U.S. and Canadian companies have dominated Alberta's oil sands for decades. Now, though, Chinese firms are rushing to snap up Canadian oil sands resources and invest in ongoing projects - to the tune of $15 billion in the past 18 months in Alberta alone."

Source: Houston Chronicle, 09/19/2011

"Safety Risks Underscored by Violations at ExxonMobil Refinery"

"As an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity’s iWatch News  has shown , oil refining is one of the country’s most dangerous industries, where even seemingly small recurring events such as equipment breakdowns and fires can have fatal consequences.  Yet an easily manipulated regulatory system allows companies to delay or avoid improvements. While the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration occasionally appears to take a tough stance, identifying perils and proposing fines, the fines are often small and can be appealed for long periods of time, delaying fixes."
 
"

Source: iWatch News, 09/19/2011

Will Latest Gulf Spill Report Prompt Congress To Act?

"The latest probe into last year's Gulf of Mexico blowout and oil spill -- a federal report that blames much of the disaster on poor management decisions by BP PLC -- has elicited strong but varied responses on Capitol Hill, but its chances of prompting immediate legislative action remain slim."

Source: Greenwire, 09/16/2011
October 24, 2011 to October 26, 2011

SmartGrid Canada 2011

Seize the opportunity to advance smart grid solutions and deliver benefits to Canadians with other Canadian and international industry leaders. Discussions will focus on Canada’s current smart grid development and its direction for the future.

Visibility: 
Region: 

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Energy & Fuel