The European Tribune is a forum for thoughtful dialogue of European and international issues. You are invited to post comments and your own articles.
Please REGISTER to post.
In the new issue of Wired, Julie Eilperin writes that clean-technology investment is in the throes of going bust, at least in the United States. That includes solar, wind and biofuels. A U.S. presidential election year and the continuing Solyndra bankruptcy scandal are combining to seriously undercut federal subsidies, she reports. As usual, China is providing stiff competition (the New York Times' Charles Duhigg and Keith Bradsher produce a long, must-read dive into why China and not the U.S. is likely to continue to dominate manufacturing). But the main culprit is cheap natural gas, Eilperin asserts. The shale gas boom, allowing for electricity prices of 10 cents a kilowatt-hour, has eroded the chances of solar and wind to compete. As discussed over the weekend, Citi Group analyst Edward Morse concludes that shale gas (pictured above, part of a hydraulic fracturing operation in South Montrose, Pa.) could fuel a U.S. industrial renaissance, specifically in energy-intensive products such as chemicals, plastics and housewares. But to the degree that Morse is right, it is coming at a cost, which is a "clean tech meltdown."
As discussed over the weekend, Citi Group analyst Edward Morse concludes that shale gas (pictured above, part of a hydraulic fracturing operation in South Montrose, Pa.) could fuel a U.S. industrial renaissance, specifically in energy-intensive products such as chemicals, plastics and housewares. But to the degree that Morse is right, it is coming at a cost, which is a "clean tech meltdown."
Iberdrola just dropped 50 jobs from their American operations. Despite the favorable finance situation, I think that shale gas has changed the demand situation for renewables in the US. I've been thinking that a diary on this is in order. Shale gas is a relatively mature technology in the US, but it's still in its infancy in Europe. Poland is potentially a huge source of shale gas for the rest of the Continent. If there's a spike in shale gas production in Europe like in the US, my impression is that the market for renewables would sour as well. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
by Frank Schnittger - Mar 22 2 comments
by Oui - Mar 16 16 comments
by Oui - Mar 15 5 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Mar 9 3 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Mar 14 14 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Mar 2 3 comments
by Oui - Mar 271 comment
by Oui - Mar 2710 comments
by Oui - Mar 22
by Oui - Mar 2211 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Mar 222 comments
by Oui - Mar 1944 comments
by Oui - Mar 1739 comments
by gmoke - Mar 17
by Oui - Mar 1616 comments
by Oui - Mar 1537 comments
by Oui - Mar 155 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Mar 1414 comments
by Oui - Mar 134 comments
by Oui - Mar 128 comments
by Oui - Mar 1112 comments
by Oui - Mar 1058 comments
by Oui - Mar 1015 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Mar 93 comments
by Oui - Mar 99 comments