Top News
Manufacturers bet on bifacial solar modules after US tariff exemption
U.S. trade policy is likely to drive the adoption of better technology in the country's solar market, an executive at JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. said Aug. 30, potentially advancing industry efforts to improve solar's cost-competitiveness against other energy sources.
Fitch sees rising price risk for LNG sellers in evolving global market
As the global trade of LNG transitions into a fully liquid commodity market, a changing landscape of LNG buyers and sellers has increased competition among LNG export developers and created new project financing challenges, according to a report from Fitch Solutions Macro Research.
Blockchain supply tracking could set miners apart from peers on ESG issues
Using blockchain technology to track products through a supply line could allow mining and metals companies to not only boost efficiency but also offer assurances to investors concerned about ethical or environmental concerns associated with mined materials.
Chinese tariffs on US crude oil could benefit Gulf Coast refiners
The latest salvos in the trade war between the U.S. and China could benefit Gulf Coast refiners as crude oil discounts shift from the U.S. inland to the Gulf Coast.
Quoted
"Despite some significant advances in competition in the electric power industry since 1978, in vertically integrated territories PURPA remains critical to maintaining a minimal level of competition with monopoly utilities, which is essential to reduce costs and drive innovation for the benefit of ratepayers," the Solar Energy Industries Association said
Power
* Dorian has weakened to a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center's 2 a.m. ET bulletin. Dorian's core will continue to pound Grand Bahama Island on Sept. 3, and the hurricane will then move "dangerously close" to the Florida east coast late Sept. 3 through the evening of Sept. 4.
* Southern California Edison Co. is seeking approval from California regulators to increase its currently authorized and requested base rates by $1.30 billion, or 20.1%, in 2021.
* Facebook Inc. signed a power purchase agreement with Aviator Wind East, an approximately 200 MW portion of the 525-MW Aviator wind project located in Coke County, Texas. The project is owned by funds managed by Ares Infrastructure and Power Group.
* Transmission developer GridLiance Holdco's plan to expand into the Midcontinent ISO market hit a roadblock when FERC denied its application to purchase six transmission lines connecting an Illinois coal plant.
* Florida state lawmakers have filed bills for the upcoming legislative session that would change how the state procures power generation.
Natural gas
* Enterprise Products Partners LP promoted Graham Bacon to executive vice president and COO and Brent Secrest executive vice president and chief commercial officer.
* Energy Transfer LP subsidiaries asked FERC for a five-year extension to complete its proposed Lake Charles LNG export terminal and related facilities in Louisiana.
* Japan's Toshiba Corp. has completed its withdrawal from the U.S. LNG business, selling the unit to a Singaporean affiliate of Total SA, according to a company statement.
* Total has received the green light from Papua New Guinea's new government proceed with the $13 billion Papua LNG project after making some concessions, according to Reuters.
Oil
* The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a considerable say in the disposal of wastewater from oil and gas exploration and production. However, two of the largest hydrocarbon producing states are looking to change that.
* State-owned oil giant Saudi Arabian Oil Co. named the governor of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia
* Concho Resources Inc. agreed to sell its assets in the New Mexico Shelf to an affiliate of Spur Energy Partners LLC for $925 million. The company also announced the launch of an up to $1.5 billion share repurchase program.
* Delek Logistics Partners LP, Delek Logistics Operating LLC and SALA Gathering Systems LLC agreed to pay approximately $2.3 million in civil penalties and enhance environmental protections at the Magnolia facility to resolve alleged violations relating to a 2013 oil spill.
* Despite finding that motorists in British Columbia pays more for gas, a British Columbia Utilities Commission panel said there was no collusion among major fuel suppliers that include Suncor Energy Inc. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, the Calgary Herald reported.
* The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has given its consent to Equinor ASA for the start-up of the Johan Sverdrup oil field in the North Sea.
Coal
* In the second quarter of 2019, average quarterly U.S. coal mining employment declined to the lowest level since the first quarter of Donald Trump's presidency as production in the first half remains significantly lower than the first or second half of 2018.
* A worker was killed when a wall collapsed at Consol Energy Inc.'s Enlow Fork coal mine, the Tribune-Review, a Pennsylvania news outlet, reported.
* Wyoming Legislature's Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee backed legislation that would fund the marketing of Powder River Basin coal, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.
* No Kentucky coal company formed within the past five years posted the required performance bond to protect miner wages, according to the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader.

Florida is almost entirely within Hurricane Dorian's path, potentially putting more than 10 million electricity customers at risk, according to the National Hurricane Center. As of Aug. 29, Gov. Ron DeSantis had placed all 67 counties in Florida under a state of emergency.
New from RRA
* In the context of its quarterly utility earnings review, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission lowered
The day ahead
* Early morning futures indicators pointed to a lower 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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