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top energy stories 2018

​JANUARY
  • US gas exports quadrupled in 2017.
  • 2017 was the last year that China was not the top natural-gas importer: Japan averaged 11 billion cubic feet per day; China imported on average 5.6 bn cubic feet per day.
  • In 2017, the US had the capacity to store 1,000 megawatts of power for one hour.  That total is projected to double in 2018; meanwhile, the US rooftop solar industry contracted in 2017 - after 16 straight years of gains.
​FEBRUARY​
  • US uranium production at its lowest.
  • Federal legislation mandates sale of US Strategic Petroleum Reserve crude oil.
  • US imports of solar photovoltaic modules from Asia reaches peak.
​MARCH
  • There are about 40 active shale plays in the continental US.
  • White House Chief of Staff John Kelly blocked efforts to host a public "red-team / blue-team" debate about the science around climate change.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger - former Terminator and California governor - sues the oil and gas industry for 'First Degree Murder.' 
APRIL
  • Congress passed a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill and the DoE is a big winner - it gets $35 billion, a $3.8 billion increase over fiscal 2017.
  • April 21, shooting in the Saudi Royal Palace in Riyadh injures Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. 
  • Saudi Arabia begins construction of the largest solar farm in the world - a staggering 200 GW solar farm.
MAY
  •  Global renewable energy capacity, energy demand, and energy-related CO2 emissions all increased.
  • Energy Secretary Rick Perry told by President to "prepare immediate steps" to bail out economically struggling coal and nuclear power plants in the interest of national security. 
  • President Trump asks ethanol farmers and oil refiners to call a truce over federal RFS biofuel mandates. 
JUNE
  • On June 9, the Pope has a private meeting with a few O&G executives and energy influencers.
  • June 29, 2017, President Trump announces that his administration will pursue "energy dominance".
  • Germany misses its target of cutting carbon emissions by 40% ... again.
JULY
  • All G20 Energy Ministers unanimously adopt Communique: "natural gas is key for a clean and sustainable future," and all nations should increase investment in natural gas.
  • President Trump visits Germany and Russia to make clear that the US opposes the development of the proposed Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.
  • Most species are devastated by warmer global temperatures, but some thrive, such as: Arctic mosquitoes, Pine beetles, Southern gray-cheeked salamander, and cats.
  • Scott Pruitt, the Administrator of the EPA, has resigned; Andrew Wheeler becomes acting-Director of the EPA.
AUGUST
  • Curious economic conditions for global natural gas market: demand growing, prices dropping.
  • Energy companies no longer have to pay the federal government "compensatory mitigation" fees to offset damage to public land.
  • "Urban heat islands" reach record temperatures in the US; Phoenix is the hottest US urban heat island.
SEPTEMBER
  • The United States surpasses Russia and Saudi Arabia to become the world's largest oil producer. 
  • California signs a new law: the world’s fifth largest economy commits to achieving net-zero carbon emissions in 25 years.
  • US/China trade war focused entirely on Iran's oil exports (US sanctions vs. Chinese demand).
  • Every country in the world except the US supports the COP21 Paris Climate goals, but no major developed country is on track to meet them.
OCTOBER
  • Coal barely holding on as top source for generated electricity (38% of global total).
  • Growth rate of renewable energy in India surpasses growth rate for the European Union.
  • The Saudi economist who criticized the Aramco IPO has been charged with terrorism.
NOVEMBER
  • President Trump nominates Andrew Wheeler as the new Director of the EPA.
  • US Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke fights to save his job.
  • Toshiba cancels its Moorside nuclear project in the UK while Ukraine unveils solar plant in Chernobyl.
DECEMBER
  • The 408th consecutive month that temperatures were above the 20th-century average.
  • Hydraulically fractured horizontal wells account for a majority newly drilled oil and natural gas wells.
  • For the first time, the US achieves net-positive export of crude oil and petroleum products.

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