Posted February 26, 2013 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, U.S. Law and Policy
The transportation sector uses 71% of the nation’s petroleum. Petroleum is also our largest source of carbon pollution. In that context, developing biofuels for transportation makes good sense. They can potentially provide low carbon sources of liquid fuel for ground...continued→
Posted November 19, 2012 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Health and the Environment, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Occasionally, I’ve written about Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Like other contentious issues, the Section 526 debate is rife with misinformation. This perennial topic will come up again, so it’s worth pausing to explain...continued→
Posted August 20, 2012 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Runaway oil dependence puts our environment, public health and national security at risk. That’s why the Senate Finance Committee’s recent extension of the cellulosic ethanol income tax credit is welcome news. This incentive, which provides $1.01 per gallon of cellulosic...continued→
Posted October 18, 2011 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
After years of litigation, the Natural Resources Defense Council has finally brought the “Ohio River Clean Fuels” liquid coal proposal to its close. Until last week, Baard Energy planned to build a 53,000 barrel per day liquid coal facility in...continued→
Posted October 3, 2011 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, U.S. Law and Policy
It’s been six years since President George W. Bush famously stated that $55 per barrel oil made drilling subsidies unnecessary. Since then, the 2008 price spike came and went, with oil prices soaring to $140 per barrel. Still, the subsidies...continued→
Posted September 23, 2011 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a short term “Continuing Resolution” to fund federal government through mid November. Fortunately, it abandoned the familiar cast of policy riders designed to damage public health and degrade the environment. But it...continued→
Posted July 12, 2011 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
These days, Section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 receives a great deal of attention. This provision, which prevents federal government from purchasing high carbon alternative fuels such as liquid coal, has been subject to numerous...continued→
Posted May 12, 2011 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Over the last several years, oil prices, geopolitical events and environmental concerns have driven the Defense Department’s strong interest in domestic alternative fuels. And with good reason. Our petroleum addiction appears more burdensome every day, exposing the nation to price...continued→
Posted May 2, 2011 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Reviving the World's Oceans, U.S. Law and Policy
Once again we find ourselves amidst $4 per gallon gasoline with the Drill Baby Drill chorus promising that opening all of our coasts to drilling will provide price relief. Instead of taking the time to increase safety standards and environmental...continued→
Posted March 11, 2011 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Reviving the World's Oceans, Saving Wildlife and Wild Places, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Luke Tonachel’s blog shows that we can save significantly more oil through clean energy measures like vehicle efficiency, public transit and electric vehicles than we can produce through additional offshore production or drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. So...continued→
Posted December 21, 2010 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Today, Representatives Jay Inslee and Mike Castle introduced legislation to set the nation on the pathway to greater energy security. The Oil Independence for a Stronger America Act comes at the close of the 111th Congress but it’s still notable...continued→
Posted December 16, 2010 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
A few days ago, a colleague wrote that Congress planned to extend the liquid coal excise tax credit. Since then, the Senate passed that extension despite opposition in the House. Extending the credit is shortsighted policy on several levels. As...continued→
Posted December 15, 2010 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Recently, NRDC noted that the Senate tax bill includes subsidies for liquid coal. This generous tax credit pays producers 50 cents for each gallon for liquid coal used to fuel vehicles, motorboats or aircraft. We also described why liquid coal‘s...continued→
Posted December 13, 2010 by Brian Siu in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Recent signs of economic recovery suggest that we will soon increase energy consumption and perhaps the price of commodities such as petroleum. Usually, upward price movements stimulate spirited discussion over new energy technology and that can be a healthy thing. ...continued→
Posted July 8, 2010 by Brian Siu in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming
Good news is in short supply these days. The most visible headlines reflect the political disagreement, environmental tragedy, and economic anxiety that define this moment in time. Understandably, these are all profoundly important issues that warrant national attention. But once...continued→
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