Top News
Asian thermal coal demand is rising, but uncertainty on China dims US potential
Rising demand for thermal coal from China and Southeast Asia could indirectly benefit U.S. producers, but uncertainty about the long-term viability of the Chinese market could put a damper on export hopes.
'Priced to leave': US oil in position to make lasting impact in Asia
With production near record levels, the U.S. — until recently a nonfactor as an oil exporter — could be on the verge of becoming one of the world's largest oil exporters and a major player in the key Asian market.
Asset managers could have changed outcome of 10 climate disclosure proposals
Two of the biggest global asset managers had enough sway behind their votes that they could have ensured that a significantly larger number of shareholder proposals on climate change gained majority support in the 2017 proxy season, according to a new report.
Power
* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a guidance memo on March 13 aimed at streamlining the permitting of new or modified power plants and other major emissions sources.
* The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is petitioning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its failure to address the movement of ozone from upwind states to downwind states. The petition asks the EPA to require power plants and large industrial sources in nine upwind states to reduce their contribution of emissions impacting New York.
* Adding to the emerging consensus that it is economically feasible to supply close to four-fifths of U.S. power demand from renewable energy sources — but nearly impossible to get to 100% — a group of high-profile energy and climate scientists have released a study of the geophysical limits to high penetrations of renewables.
* The Southwest Power Pool board of directors approved a set of policies defining the terms and conditions of Mountain West Transmission Group's potential membership in SPP.
* Xcel Energy Inc. and the city of Boulder, Colo., are requesting state regulators to extend the deadline to file agreements in connection with the city's plan to form a municipal electric utility to June 11 from March 13, the Boulder Daily Camera reported.
* Solar advocates are concerned that Dominion Energy Inc.'s proposed acquisition of SCANA Corp. could slow the growth of the industry in South Carolina, according to Southeast Energy News.
* A Kentucky House committee advanced a bill that would allow the state Public Service Commission to set the price for excess solar power generated by people on their homes, according to The Associated Press.
* The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. State Department for refusing to release public records regarding the overdue seventh U.S. Climate Action Report.
Natural gas/Oil
* The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection granted
* The TransCanada Corp. board is backing a shareholder proposal regarding climate change disclosure, according to its recent Form 6-K filing. Shareholders will vote on this proposal during the April 27 annual meeting.
* EV Energy Partners LP and its subsidiaries entered into a restructuring support agreement with certain noteholders and lenders. The restructuring will be implemented through a proposed prepackaged plan of reorganization. The company plans to commence its prepackaged bankruptcy case in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware by April 8.
* The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has allowed
* The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection recently ordered Rover Pipeline LLC to stop construction of its 713-mile natural gas pipeline due to multiple water pollution violations, the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette-Mail reported.
* Republican lawmakers in North Carolina are seeking a federal investigation into a $57.8 million environmental mitigation fund deal between state Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Atlantic Coast Pipeline developers, The Associated Press reported.
* Although Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke fell short of exempting Pacific states from the offshore drilling plan, he said it may not happen because California, Oregon and Washington have "no known resources of any weight" for energy companies to explore, The Washington Post reported.
* Pioneer Natural Resources Co. shut production at its West Panhandle field after a fire at a compressor station caused extensive damage. Production at the facility averages approximately 8,000 barrels oil equivalent per day.
* Baker Hughes and McDermott International Inc. are joining forces to offer integrated offshore energy services, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Coal
* More than half of the coal produced in the U.S. comes from five companies, with the largest company producing one in every five tons.
* The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality has released proposed changes to the state's self-bonding regulation, including allowing companies to apply only if mines have more than 10 years of operations left, the Casper (Wyo.) Star Tribune reported.
Commodities
* Winter across the contiguous U.S. ranked among the warmest third in the 124-year period of record, with an average temperature of 34.0 degrees Fahrenheit for the period of December 2017 through February, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in its latest "State of the Climate" report released March 12. That was 1.8 degrees above the 20th century average.
* After extending 0.8 cent higher in the prior session to close at $2.786/MMBtu, NYMEX April natural gas futures dipped lower overnight ahead of the Wednesday, March 14, open, as ongoing support from colder weather outlooks ran up against selling pressure as the market considers the approaching spring.
* Following a mixed day of trade March 12, price activity for day-ahead power could be tethered to the downside Wednesday, March 14, amid pressure from generally weaker demand projections for the latter part of the workweek and potential losses in natural gas.

New from RRA
* In a report filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on March 12, the PUC staff recommends
Quoted
"Argument is not data. In other words, there's been no economic analysis to justify this massive cut? These are resources that belong to the people of the United States. We're taking the money out of the pockets of taxpayers," said Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, taking issue with U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke's proposal to cut royalty rates for offshore oil and gas production by 35%.
The day ahead
* Early morning futures indicators pointed to a higher opening for the U.S. equity markets. To view more SNL equity market indexes, click here. To view more SNL Energy commodities prices, click here.
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