Each week, we review the papers, studies, reports, and briefings posted at the “indispensable” RFF Library Blog, curated by RFF Librarian Chris Clotworthy.
The Department of Energy has developed this biennial report to Congress in compliance with legislative language set forth in Section 1302 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. This report is designed to provide an update on the status of smart grid deployments nationwide, technological developments, and barriers that may affect the continued adoption of the technology. The report has been reviewed by the Federal Smart Grid Task Force, a group of 11 agencies, chaired by DOE, that meets to coordinate federal smart grid activities and includes representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. – via US DOE
Global Shale Gas Development: Water Availability & Business Risks
[From Blog Post] …In the 20 countries with the largest shale gas and tight oil resources, WRI analyzed the level of water stress across every play in each country. For shale gas, we found plays in 40 percent of those countries face high water stress or arid conditions: China, Algeria, Mexico, South Africa, Libya, Pakistan, Egypt, and India. – via World Resources Institute
Transporting Crude Oil by Rail: State and Federal Action
Technological advances such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are driving the increase in oil and natural gas extraction and allowing access to shale resources in Canada and the U.S. that were previously uneconomical to develop. In fact, the United States became the No. 1 producer of oil in the world in 2014—overtaking Saudi Arabia and Russia. The U.S. produced 8.4 million barrels per day of oil in April 2014, which is the highest monthly production volume in more than 25 years—with North Dakota and Texas supplying almost half of the total U.S. crude oil production. The rapid expansion of crude oil production in North America has increased the use of rail, truck, barge and pipeline to carry crude to refineries. – via National Conference of State Legislatures
Environmentally Friendly Solutions Needed to Recycle Fracking Wastewater: Rice Univ. Study
[Press Release] Rice University scientists have performed a detailed analysis of water produced by hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking) of three gas reservoirs and suggested environmentally friendly remedies are needed to treat and reuse it. More advanced recycling rather than disposal of produced water pumped back out of wells could calm fears of accidental spillage and save millions of gallons of fresh water a year, said Rice chemist Andrew Barron… – via Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts (free download with registration)
Policy Assessment for the Review of the Ozone NAAQS, Final Report
[Green Car Congress] The staff of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS) has released the final version of the policy assessment (PA) for the review of the ozone (O3) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Among the staff recommendations are to further reduce the primary ozone standard from the current 75 ppb (parts per billion) to a revised level within the range of 70 ppb to 60 ppb—and preferably below 70 ppb… – via US EPA
