MenuOn Dec. 3, China banned exporting critical minerals such as gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States. This came in the wake of the Biden administration’s announcement of new restrictions on the sale of chips and specialized chip-making machinery and software to China the day before. This exchange is merely the latest round in the ongoing battle for
Category Archives: United States
The Blockchain Revolution In The Energy Market
Blockchain is moving beyond cryptocurrencies. By 2026, the market for blockchain in the energy sector is set to exceed $1.5 billion—a massive leap from just $127.5 million in 2018. Energy companies see immense potential in this technology, including how it can transform everything from grid management to green energy trading. Blockchain is a digital technology
The West’s role in solving Central Asia’s water crisis
The Caspian Sea, vital to Eurasia’s economy and environment, is shrinking at an alarming rate. The declining water level in the sea is one visible consequence of a larger regional water crisis faced by the C5 nations of Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This water crisis threatens the more than 82 million people who call the largely
U.S. COPing Out Of Global Climate Leadership?
Clean energy shares in the United States experienced a significant decline following Donald Trump’s election to a second term. The WilderHill Clean Energy Index fell by 6.7%, with solar companies like Sunnova Energy International Inc. and Sunrun Inc. dropping as much as 51% and 29%, respectively. The timing of this downturn is unfortunate, as green
Joe Biden’s Iran Oil Sanctions Failure
As Iran is spending billions of dollars funding Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi militias in Yemen, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and Katai’b Hezbollah in Iraq, the recently released Energy Information Administration (EIA) report on Iranian petroleum exports stands out as a sobering reminder that the Obama-Biden on-and-off sanctions on Tehran have failed. In fact, as the sanctions against the Kremlin over its invasion of Ukraine suggest, sanctions alone are
Google’s Search For AI-Enabling Secure Energy Goes Nuclear
As Google’s AI energy needs skyrocket, the company recently inked a deal with Kairos Power, a nuclear power company started in 2016, to meet Google’s growing energy needs. The deal between the two companies includes plans to bring a small modular reactor online by 2030 and produce up to 500MW by 2035, according to a
Vance And Walz On America’s Energy Future
Amid the destruction of Hurricane Helene, which caused catastrophic flooding and power outages across five states, the two vice presidential candidates, Senator JD Vance (R-OH) and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN), debated the future of U.S. clean energy policies at the first (and only) vice presidential debate of the 2024 campaign in New York. While the debate primarily
Gastech: A Thriving Gas Sector, If You Can Keep It
Gastech, the annual global natural gas powwow that just wrapped up after three days in Houston, Texas, showcased a thriving industry that has benefited from great technological breakthroughs in recent decades. Hydraulic fracturing and liquefication are the two key technologies boosting the industry. While America considered importing liquified natural gas at the start of the
America’s Self-Inflicted Wound In Central Asia
In Central Asia, everyone appears to be moving to secure riches and interests. Japan has just conducted an investment summit with the Central Asian states to develop economic opportunities, China’s Xi is expanding business ties, the EU is inaugurating a new strategic summit, and Vladimir Putin will be visiting in November. The world understands Central
Trump And Harris Duel Over Energy
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump met for the first time on the debate stage on September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia. Though light on specific policies and plans, the event presented stark contrasts in their approaches to energy, climate, and geopolitics. Among the many topics discussed, both candidates used the occasion to