Nuclear power in the U.S. has been relatively flat for the past 25 years. It is technologically viable, environmentally friendly, yet politically unpopular and economically uncompetitive. But there is new cause for optimism. A new […]
Author: Robert Rapier
Where’s the Hydrogen Economy?
In his 2003 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush offered a bold vision of a cleaner energy future. Standing before Congress and the nation, he announced a $1.2 billion initiative to develop […]
Oil Markets Face Structural Headwinds from Declining Demand
For most of the past century, energy producers could count on steady oil demand growth. From industrial development in China to population booms in emerging markets, the global appetite for oil kept expanding like clockwork. […]
Peak Oil is Back
The term “peak oil” has sparked debate for decades, fueling speculation, and more than a few forecasts of doomsday scenarios. But for all the noise, it remains a largely misunderstood concept. That’s unfortunate, because peak […]
California Gas Prices Could Surge Past $8 a Gallon by 2026
On the heels of my recent article outlining how California’s unique fuel regulations — not corporate price gouging — are driving up gasoline prices in the state, new developments have added urgency to that conversation. […]
The Return of Saudi Shock Tactics
Saudi Arabia is again making news in the oil markets. In a move reminiscent of the disastrous price war of 2015-2016 (see OPEC’s Trillion Dollar Miscalculation), the kingdom has decided to boost oil production in […]
U.S. Power Sector Reaches a Milestone: Fossil Fuels Fall Below 50% for the First Time
For the first time in history, fossil fuels supplied less than half of the United States’ electricity generation for an entire month, according to new data released by energy think tank Ember. This milestone, achieved […]
New USC Study Finds No Evidence of Gas Price Gouging in California
If you’ve filled your tank in California lately, you’ve felt the sting—gas prices there aren’t just high, they’re consistently the highest in the nation. As of April 14, 2025, the average price of a gallon […]
The Hidden Risk Behind Lower Oil Prices
Not long ago, falling oil prices were widely celebrated in the United States. Cheaper gasoline meant more disposable income for consumers, lower transportation costs for businesses, and a boost to sectors that rely on oil […]
Rising Demand, Steady Supply: The Growing Significance of U.S. Natural Gas
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently reported that U.S. natural gas consumption set new winter and summer consumption records in 2024, highlighting the growing importance of natural gas in the global energy mix. This […]