CHASE Difference Makers – Brigham McCown
Grid Security – Between Hype and Heads in the Sand
Brigham McCown was privileged to speak to the students at George Mason University on the importance of grid security and maintaining our infrastructure. You can read the transcript of the talk here:
Baseload Power Will Keep The Lights On
Several recent papers have questioned traditional notions regarding baseload power requirements for the electric grid. For example, the Natural Resources Defense Council released a report prepared by the Brattle Group. The NRDC says that, “baseload is an outdated term” as it “does not refer to any electricity system values or services, and it is not equivalent to …
U.S. LNG Exports to Lithuania A Chink in Russia’s Eastern European Energy Dominance
On Monday, a shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) arrived in the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda. That in and of itself was not overly remarkable, but where the shipment came from was. The shipment was the first purchase and importation of American natural gas by a former Soviet state. While the quantity of gas sold was …
Lengthy FERC Confirmation Process Shows ‘New Normal’ for Infrastructure
FERC is back to full force–or at least a quorum. Eight months into the Trump administration, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is finally staffed enough to start working on approving new pipeline and electric grid projects after a voice vote on FERC confirmation and dozens of other open positions. Although little-known outside of industry circles, …
‘Made in America’ starts with energy
The Trump administration recently highlighted American-made products during a “Made in America Week.” To promote products manufactured in the U.S., a Made in America Product Showcase at the White House featured a product from each state. These are good ways to promote the casual consumption of U.S. goods. That said, American energy has the potential …
Federal agency should provide greater oversight of gas pipeline safety
As the economy recovers, use of natural gas continues to increase and excavation and development projects ramp up nationwide. Protecting underground pipelines continues to be important. Unlike most issues where regulatory primacy is left to the federal government or the states, pipeline safety is one of the rare areas where jurisdiction is shared. Interstate pipelines …
McCown Delivers Opening Remarks at 2017 Pipeline Safety Conference
In April, Brigham McCown delivered the opening keynote at the 2017 Pipeline Safety Conference in San Antonio, Texas. To read the whole speech, please click here: PSC 2017 As Delieverd
Trump Declares “Build It Now” In Newly Issued Infrastructure Actions
Today marks an astounding reversal for supporters of infrastructure projects who have felt their voices were not heard during the Obama years. From the Oval Office, President Trump issued one Executive Order and four Presidential Memorandums today, declaring open season for those wanting to build new transportation, energy, and social infrastructure throughout the country. Administration …
Arctic Infrastructure: The Unintended Victim Of The Administration’s Offshore Energy Ban
The Friday afternoon before Christmas, the Obama Administration announced its long expected offshore oil and gas leasing program for 2017 – 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly given the timing of the statement, the decision was a controversial one; both of the Arctic leases in the proposed plan had been cut, leaving the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska’s …