COVID 19
Is the coronavirus airborne? Should we all wear masks?
Everyone Thinks They’re Right About Masks. How the coronavirus travels through the air has become one of the most divisive debates in this pandemic.
OIL
US,
Saudi and Russia to meet on market crash
Justin Sink and Brian Eckhouse, Bloomberg, April 1, 2020
President Donald Trump said the U.S. would meet with Saudi Arabia and Russia with the goal of stanching an historic plunge in oil prices. Trump, speaking at the White House Tuesday, said he’s raised the issue in conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “They’re going to get together and we’re all going to get together and we’re going to see what we can do,” he said. “The two countries are discussing it. And I am joining at the appropriate time, if need be.” If it happens, it would be the first meeting between Saudi Arabia and Russia since the collapse of the OPEC+ coalition in early March.
Related: Putin, Trump agree sinking oil prices not in mutual interest
GAS
America’s
Arctic Moment: Great Power Competition in the Arctic to 2050
Center for Strategic and International Studies, March 30, 2020
What will be the strategic consequences for the United States by 2050 if America’s two near-peer military competitors, China and Russia, continue to develop their long-term economic and security interests in the Arctic, but the United States does not?
MINING
The
electrification of everything–there’s
no place like Nome
Amy Newman, Alaska Business, April 1, 2020
Vancouver-based Graphite One is out to make history by creating the first graphite supply chain in the country, the company says. To accomplish its mission, it’s working to mine graphite from Graphite Creek outside of Nome, site of the highest grade and largest known large flake graphite deposit in the United States. Even so, Graphite One doesn’t consider itself a “typical” mining company. “Graphite One isn’t really a mining company,” explains President and CEO Anthony Huston. “We’re a tech company that mines graphite.” The corporation, which Huston founded in 2012, considers mining a means to an end, an endeavor necessary to achieve its goal of creating a US-based graphite supply chain.
POLITICS
From the Washington Examiner, Daily on Energy:
ECONOMIC FALLOUT PUSHES CLIMATE CHANGE OFF ‘FRONT BURNER’:
Polling shows that voters of both parties have become more concerned about climate change. But, historically, there has been less support for environmental regulation during recessions, and more support during periods of economic growth.
“What I fear is everyone is so focused on the problem at hand that I don’t think climate issues are on the front burner again,” Rep. Francis Rooney of Florida, a Republican who supports a carbon tax, told Josh.
“If the issue is framed in terms of, ‘everyone has to sacrifice for the climate,’ I don’t think that’s going anywhere,” said Travis Ridout, professor of government and public policy at Washington State University. “We think we are sacrificing right now.”
Republicans are torn: Most GOP lawmakers, many representing fossil fuel states and districts, appear most worried about an oil price crash caused partially by the coronavirus and its harm to the U.S. shale industry. They railed against Democrats attempts to address climate change as part of early coronavirus response legislation.
“It misses reality to think oil and fossil fuel state members are just going to walk away from their states’ economies and constituents. That’s just not going to happen” Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon, the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, told Josh.