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The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has published key lessons learned from the ConAgra Slim Jim plant explosion in a September 2009 Safety Bulletin. The CSB aimed to draw attention to the serious dangers endemic to fuel gas purging operations. The hazards of purging new or existing gas piping into buildings are also discussed.

The Brattle Group has released a study paper in March 2010 in which the authors suggest that using more natural gas for generating electricity could reduce the dependence on coal-fired generation and reduce carbon emissions. The report also revealed that renewables could push natural gas plants down in the dispatch mix in the future.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act remains frozen in the United States Senate. Revelations on the issue of climate change are seen to further delay the bill's passage. Meanwhile, the popularity of green jobs in the country has waned.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has received a petition from a coalition of state leaders and environmentalist activists in 2007 for interpretive guidance on the corporate obligation to disclose material information about all aspects of climate change. However, the petitioners received more than what they asked for. Insights on the unintended consequences are also given.

Issues regarding the uneven treatment being given to biomass energy plants, including smaller production tax credits than other renewable energy plants' credits, are discussed. Details on the use of biomass energy and push for open-loop plant tax credits are also presented.

There is not much progress expected in the construction of nuclear plants due to concerns about the strength of the AP1000 reactor, but it is assumed that the smart grid system will advance with the investments in smart grid-related technologies. Power industry forecasts concerning coal plants and renewable energy among other are presented.

The requirement on the use of best available control technology (BACT) under the U.S. Clean Air Act is discussed with regard to its impact on generation technology and emission control options of power plants. BACT requirement could mean that plants would have to use options with the highest efficiency.

The U.S. nuclear industry is seen to be lagging behind developing countries in terms of new projects, with only two plants completed since 2006. The U.S., which saw an increase in the number of new plants under construction from 33 in 2008 to more than 50 in 2009, remains the largest nuclear market for new power plants.

China and India, the world's first and third biggest sources, respectively, of carbon emissions, have stated that they would not commit to carbon cuts unless developed nations vow to cut their emissions as well. Details on India being expected to become the second largest carbon emitter after China are discussed.

The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is seen to fail in addressing climate change. The United States will support the Kyoto Protocol if China makes reductions in carbon dioxide emission. China, on the other hand, wants rich countries to give up one percent of their gross domestic product to fund poor countries' emission reduction efforts.

A critique of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) technical support document (TSD) on the endangerment concerns regarding carbon dioxide emissions states that EPA has violated requirements on how the TSD findings were achieved after two weeks and how it lacks scientific processes. The critique was written by EPA veteran Alan Carlin.

The three principal methods for cofiring biomass in relation to a coal-fired plant are direct cofiring, indirect cofiring, and parallel cofiring. Direct cofiring requires the biomass and coal to be mixed whereas indirect cofiring involves a gasification reactor and pyrolysis of the biomass. A separate biomass-fired boiler is used in parallel cofiring. The advantages and disadvantages of each method are presented.

United States Interior secretary Ken Salazar's plan to replace coal-fired power plants with windmills in the East Coast is flawed. The cost of constructing windmills is seen to be a problem. Statistics on coal-fired power plants in the country are also supplied.

Spain has been praised for its use of renewable energy, such as wind power, which has helped create green jobs. But a study of the country's renewable energy market showed that these green jobs resulted to loss of 110,000 jobs elsewhere and that consumers' payments for renewable energy is $10 billion more than its actual market cost.

The renewable energy portfolio (RPS), which is being pushed by U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, is to require that 16% of the country's electricity come from renewable sources. Criticism over the RPS proposal is presented, as it puts the federal government in control of state RPS and causes concern because not all states have sufficient renewable sources.

Advancements in technology and instrumentation enable power plants to optimize processes, which is being pursued by the International Society of Automation (ISA) Power Industry Automation POWID). Other details on the importance of innovations in power plants' process control and data management are discussed.

The National Engineers Week Foundation (NEWF), a coalition of over 75 engineering groups, is introducing K12 students to the field and helping address the cycles of decline in the number of engineering graduates in recent years. Engineers Week has been designated on February 21-25. Details on the educational program offered by NEWF are discussed.

The combined construction and operating license process of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission could result in delays in the construction of new nuclear power plants. These delays will be caused by environmental organizations, which are out to block the entire nuclear permitting process.

Americans should think more of others instead of themselves when making New Year's resolutions. They should become more optimistic, pass on opportunities to younger generations, spend time wisely, and become more grateful to people who chose to serve the country.

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to rebalance the environmental and economic importance of coal-fired generation in the United States differently than ever before. It is believed that Obama was serious about his energy campaign promises and their high priority in the first year of his administration.

United States secretary of energy Samuel Bodman said nuclear power is a key component of the country's energy security. But the costs of constructing new nuclear power plants have risen to high levels. Replenishment of a qualified nuclear workforce is also seen as a potential problem.

The Rumble in the Jungle boxing match is discussed in relation to the upcoming 2008 presidential elections, wherein John McCain is running against the younger candidate Barack Obama. The candidates' ability to put aside differences is questioned and the energy options and other issues that they need to address are presented.

Al Gore is proposing the use of renewable and carbon-free energy sources in electricity generation and has launched a $300 million 'We Campaign', calling on activists to pressure lawmakers on climate change concerns. Details on the conflict in his plan and his stake at Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers' green business venture are examined.

Oil businessman T. Boone Pickens energy plan states that natural gas is the available fuel that can be used in transportation and that the Great Plains can produce wind resources amounting to 20% of the electric energy needed by the U.S. Other details on the Pickens Plan and Jimmy Carter's energy policy addressing the 1970s energy crisis are discussed.

The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (L-W), which is designed to cut carbon emissions, has been deferred as there has been public outcry that the bill could cause gasoline prices to increase. Other details about debate on the bill and its support from presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain are discussed.

Nuclear industry players are shifting alliances as global trade changes the market for reactor technologies. Toshiba Corp. acquired Westinghouse Electric and fell out with General Electric Co. (GE) and Hitachi Ltd, while Hitachi and GE formed an alliance. Other details on changing alliances between nuclear players are discussed.

Charlton Heston used his star power to raise awareness on issues such as gun ownership and he even marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote civil rights. The California Energy Commission backed down from its plan to include programmable communicating thermostats in their energy-efficiency standards for buildings which would have allowed utilities to shut down air conditioning and heating systems during power emergencies.

Power outages can affect the profitability and productivity of manufacturing companies as in the example of Hewlett-Packard's estimate that a 20-minute power failure could cost $30 million production loss. Details on the effect of electricity grid modernization in increasing transmission capacity and industrial productivity are discussed.

Power utilities are said to get low levels of trust from customers due to questionable practices that influence their position in trying to keep from incurring losses. An example cited is the energy conservation effort of customers, that some utilities may address by imposing higher fees to prevent losses. Other details of the issue are discussed.

The use of nuclear power is extending beyond the U.S., with the latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency projecting firm growth of up to 77 GW from now to 2030. The U.S. generates about 20% of world capacity with 104 nuclear power plants. Details on nuclear power plant projects around the world are discussed.

Governor Eliot Spitzer and Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo are citing safety reasons for asking the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to reject the renewal of Entergy Nuclear's operating licenses for their Indian Point plant in New York. The 2,000-MW plant supply 11.5 percent of New York State's electricity demand.

The Climate Security Act of 2007, which would create a program to control greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the U.S., is expected to heavily affect America's economic competitiveness. China and India, meanwhile, are relying more to coal-fired power plants. Other views on GHG emissions and their economic and international impacts, are presented.

Media coverage of nuclear accidents can cause public fear, and journalism professor Peter Sandman, in relation to the Three Mile Island Unit 2 incident, coined the formula 'Risk = Hazard + Outrage', which attempts to quantify the public fear caused by poor communications during such events. Details on improving public communications are discussed.

The features of Nippon Petroleum Refining Co.'s integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant in Yokohama, Japan are presented. Nippon's facility, which is the largest IGCC plant in operation as of 2007, uses a GE Direct Quench gasifier, an MHI F-class combustion turbine, and a selective catalytic reduction system. A table that presents the operating features of prominent IGCC plants is also given.

The need for innovations in the energy industry is discussed. Historical innovations in the aerospace industry, such as the launching of Soviet Union's Sputnik satellite and the United States' Apollo 11 mission in 1969, are also presented.

104 nuclear power plants supply 20% of the United State's electricity supply. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has received 17 applications for new plants from experienced nuclear utilities. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has refurbished the 1,064 MW Browns Ferry Unit 1in Athens, Alabama costing the TVA $1.8 billion.

The increasing demand for ethanol fuels in the United States have increased the demand for corn, the raw material, and the price of corn being exported to other countries have gone up since then. Ethanol fuel production in the United States, its influence in corn harvesting and consumption, and the role of the government, are also discussed.

The details of the Energy Policy Act 2005, enforced by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to control construction of interstate transmission lines, are presented.

Suggestion to impose a carbon tax and carbon trading system to check emissions of greenhouse gases in the United States is discussed.

The need for reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by taking up measures like improving coal plants' energy efficiency, installing smart meters and building energy-efficient structures etc, is discussed.

The rise in demand for power during summer, exceeding the capacity of the grid, is discussed. Political interference in power projects is detailed.

The Cape Wind Project, America's first offshore wind farm, that will generate 420-MW power and create over 600 jobs is discussed.

The cancellation of the United States' Aerial Common Sensor military program and the proposed government funding for research in alternative energy are discussed.