U.S. crude oil exports averaged 1.1 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2017 and 1.6 million b/d so far in 2018, up from less than 0.5 million b/d in 2016. This growth in U.S. crude oil exports happened despite the…
Month: May 2018 (page 2)
Tax credits and solar tariffs affect timing of projected renewable power plant deployment
The timing and magnitude of adding wind- and solar-powered electricity generators to the U.S. grid are sensitive to federal policies, especially federal tax credits that are currently scheduled to expire or diminish by 2022. In addition to the Reference case…
Most of America’s propane exports go to countries in Asia
In 2017, the United States exported 905,000 barrels per day (b/d) of propane, with the largest volumes going to supply petrochemical feedstock demand in Asian countries. Four of the top five countries receiving U.S. propane exports are in Asia—Japan, China,…
Countries in and around the Middle East are adding coal-fired power plants
Planned coal-fired capacity additions from a number of countries in and around the Middle East will add 41 gigawatts (GW) of new electric generating capacity over the next decade, based on announced projects and projects currently in the permitting process.…
EIA raises crude oil, gasoline price forecasts for 2018
EIA’s May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) forecasts that Brent crude oil prices will average $71 per barrel (b) in 2018, $7/b higher than forecast in last month’s STEO. Correspondingly, EIA’s forecast for regular gasoline retail prices increased to an average…
Solar surpasses biomass to become third-most prevalent renewable electricity source
Electricity generation from solar resources in the United States reached 77 million megawatthours (MWh) in 2017, surpassing for the first time annual generation from biomass resources, which generated 64 million MWh in 2017. Among renewable sources, only hydro and wind…
Future of U.S. nuclear power fleet depends mostly on natural gas prices, carbon policies
Existing U.S. nuclear power generating plants operate under increasingly competitive market conditions brought on by relatively low natural gas prices, increasing electricity generation from renewable energy sources, and limited growth in electric power demand. Several sensitivity cases prepared for EIA’s…
Natural gas and renewables make up most of 2018 electric capacity additions
EIA expects nearly 32 gigawatts (GW) of new electric generating capacity will come online in the United States in 2018, more than in any year over the past decade. Although renewables such as wind and solar accounted for 98% of…
The 2018 EIA Energy Conference is one month away
EIA is hosting its 2018 Energy Conference on Monday, June 4, and Tuesday, June 5, in Washington, DC, where attendees will get up-to-date information on a wide set of emerging energy issues. This two-day event provides an opportunity to meet…
Biodiesels produced from certain feedstocks have distinct properties from petroleum diesel
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from various feedstocks, including refined vegetable oils, recycled cooking oils, and rendered animal fats. Different feedstocks produce biodiesel with distinct qualities that must be considered when blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel for use in…
