Rhein on Energy and Climate

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This simple truth has finally become evident; but it took the Greek financial crisis to carry the message home. In a 12 page communication of May 12th the EU Commission draws the appropriate policy conclusions for the EU and member states. Basically, the Commission insists on deepening and broadening the existing surveillance mechanisms of member… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

The signing of an agreement for the construction and operation of a 4.8 GW (!) nuclear power plant by the Russian President and the Turkish Prime Minister, May 11th 2010, was anything but a trivial event. It underlines the determination and capacity of the Russian nuclear industry to win contracts across the world wherever opportunities… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Since May 12, 2010 a new draft for an American Power Act is on the table. Senators Kerry and Liebermann have submitted a 1000 page (!) compromise proposal after a previous trilateral effort could not make the way to the Senator Floor because of party controversy concerning the priority to be attributed to immigration over… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Thinking beyond Cancun

There is agreement today that the next climate Conference scheduled for December in Cancun will not achieve a comprehensive agreement for global emission cuts and adaptation measures. The time for preparation is far too short; the US Congress is unlikely to have passed a convincing energy and climate act before mid-term elections November 4th; and… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

The EU Commission wants the EU to reduce C02 emissions beyond the 20 percent over 1990 defined so far as the EU target for 2020, but without reciprocity from other industrialised countries, which it had asked for until now. Four main reasons would militate in favour of a more ambitious approach: • Higher oil and… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

For the first time in history the European Air Space has been closed. For five days essentially all air traffic had come to a halt. Seven million air travellers – tourists, air commuters, officials, businessmen and even statesmen – could not reach their destinations by using aircraft, the fastest, cheapest and often the most convenient… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

With $ 87/b the oil price has reached the highest level since October 2008, due to the recovery of the world economy and rising energy demand in Asia. The International Energy Agency expects oil demand to reach record levels in the course of the year and fears negative repercussions for global recovery if oil prices… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

After being in place for almost three years the Union for the MED, invented by President Sarkozy to intensify the cooperation around the Mediterranean, has not been able to produce any visible results except putting in place a Secretariat in Barcelona and organise ministerial and official meetings. Energy and water were supposed to be among… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Everybody interested in the survival of the planet should pin his eyes and ears on Washington, April 26th. On that day a bi-partisan group of senators will release a new climate bill amending the 2009 House bill that had no chance to pass the Senate due to adamant resistance from conservative circles and States with… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

With $ 87/b the oil price has reached the highest level since October 2008, due to the recovery of the world economy and rising energy demand in Asia. The International Energy Agency expects the oil demand to reach record levels in the course of the year and fears negative repercussions for global recovery if oil… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein