In November, I wrote about the revolutionizing of the common thermostat and Nest Labs’ innovative product, commonly referred to as the “Smart Thermostat.” The Nest helps homeowners reduce energy use by tracking home occupants’ behavior, noting daily patterns, and adjusting the settings accordingly. Sony’s product has a similar strategy and goal in mind. Noting that sockets are the one part of Japanese homes that “hasn’t evolved at all for half a century,” the WSJ describes how Sony’s product can “recognize a gadget or appliance that is being plugged in, and automatically monitor energy consumption and possibly control power supply to optimize efficiency.” As reported in PCWorld.com, “Sony hopes to employ technology from its touch-card platform, Felica, which uses RFID (radio-frequency identification) technology and is widely used in Japanese trains, mobile phones and credit cards for electronic money. The new system puts the equivalent of Felica ‘readers’ in outlets and equips plugs with the ‘card’ technology, so that the equivalent of a ‘touch’ occurs when a power cord is plugged in and the two sides meet.”

As with any new technology, there are many hurdles on the path to mass marketing and consumption of the product. As the WSJ notes, “for the new electric socket system to maximize its potential, either electronic devices or their plugs would have to carry Sony’s smart chips, while housing and construction companies would have to agree to use the new sockets instead of conventional ones in new homes.” While Sony is currently focusing on Japan for deployment and adoption of its new technology, I think there is a place in the US market for such a product.  As I noted in November, the residential sector accounted for 23% of America’s energy consumption in 2010. If the price is right on this product, and Sony is able to get the partnerships it needs to make the product viable, I think this could be a critical piece of the puzzle in reducing buildings’ energy consumption. I’m excited to watch Sony’s next steps and will be interested to see if the product starts to gain some US recognition. 

“Earlier this month, Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company announced it will invest $98 million at its largest auto engine plant, which produce components for its new transmission technology. The company’s engine plant in Anna, Ohio will make high-tech pulley components for Honda’s new continuously variable transmission, which is aimed at improving fuel efficiency. This announcement builds on other recent large-scale investments by the company — since the beginning of 2011, Honda has committed to nearly $800 million in new U.S. investments and more than 1,200 new jobs across manufacturing operations in states such as Ohio, Alabama, and Indiana.”

For the full statement and list of companies highlighted, click here to read the White House release. Read the press coverage from The Detroit News here.

Energy and Power Subcommittee held a Hearing on Utility MACT on Wednesday. Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy testified, and the questioning was largely divided along partisan lines with the Republicans questioning EPA’s analysis of the rule’s economic and health impacts and the Democrats lauding the projected health benefits

On January 26th, The Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future released its final report to the U.S. Energy Secretary. Among other things, the Commission recommended that the job of carrying out the nation’s spent fuel and nuclear waste repository program be transferred from DOE to a new single-purpose, congressionally authorized entity Read the Press Release.

Congressional Outlook:

Budget: Reid announced he will not move a budget on the Floor so the only Senate Budget action will be a Committee mark-up.

Appropriations: The Appropriations process is expected to pick up immediately upon the release of the President’s budget with budget hearings beginning as early as that week. 

House: In Session 2/14-2/17

2/15: Appropriation, Homeland Security Subcommittee Hearing- FY13 Approps

2/15: Budget Full Committee Hearing- FY 2013 Budget

2/16: Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior Hearing-FY 13 Approps

Senate: In Session 2/13-2/17

2/14: Budget Committee Hearing- Fiscal 2013 Budget

2/16: ENR Hearing- Fiscal 2013 Budget

Anticipated Administrative Action:

2/13: President’s FY 2013 Budget Release

Other Important Dates:

2/29: Payroll Taxcut Package Expires

Americans Gaining Energy Independence With U.S. as Top Producer

By Rich Miller, Asjylyn Loder and Jim Polson – Feb 6, 2012

 The U.S. is the closest it has been in almost 20 years to achieving energy self-sufficiency, a goal the nation has been pursuing since the 1973 Arab oil embargo triggered a recession and led to lines at gasoline stations.

The result: The U.S. has reversed a two-decade-long decline in energy independence, increasing the proportion of demand met from domestic sources over the last six years to an estimated 81 percent through the first 10 months of 2011, according to data compiled by Bloomberg from the U.S. Department of Energy. That would be the highest level since 1992.

Continue Reading…

Transportation: House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced its Surface Transportation Bill after an all-day markup Thursday that lasted into the early hours of Friday morning. The measure is expected to go to the House floor the week of February 13^th.

Budget: A group of Republican Senators, led by Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain, introduced legislation that would wipe out automatic defense cuts by reducing the federal workforce by 5 percent and extend the freeze on federal pay through June 2014. Read the full article from The Hill.

Regulatory: EPA announced that its Greenhouse Gas Rule would now be released in February (as opposed to the original schedule of January).

Congressional Outlook:

Budget/Appropriations: The House Appropriations Committees has begun to schedule a series of Budget hearings to begin immediately after the release of the President’s Budget on February 13^th. Click Here for the Schedule.

House: In Session 2/6-2/9

            2/8: Energy and Commerce, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Hearing- “Cybersecurity: Threats to Communications Networks and Private-Sector Responses”

           2/8: Energy and Commerce, Energy and Power Subcommittee Hearing- “The   American Energy Initiative: What EPA’s Utility MACT Will Cost U.S. Consumers”

Senate: In Session 2/6-2/10

            2/7: Budget Full Committee Hearing- “The Outlook for U.S. Monetary and Fiscal Policy”

            2/9: Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Hearing- “The State of the Housing Market”

• Promote safe, responsible development of their near 100-year supply of natural gas, supporting more than 600,000 jobs while ensuring public health and safety.

• Incentivize manufacturers to make energy upgrades, saving $100 billion over the next decade.

• Create clean energy jobs in the United States.

Resolution of Disapproval of Debt Limit Increase: On Thursday, the Senate voted against the measure (H.J. Res 98) by a vote of 44-52. The House voted in favor of the Resolution by a vote of 239-176 on January 18^th.

Congressional Outlook:

Budget: The White House announced that the President’s Budget Release would be delayed until February 13^th. Senator Conrad has scheduled a Full Budget Committee hearing entitled “Budget and Economic Outlook” on February 2^nd.

Appropriations: House Appropriations Committees are to begin holding hearings the week of February 13^th, immediately following the release of the President’s Budget.

House: In Session 1/31-2/3

            2/3: Science and Tech, Energy and Environment Subcommittee Hearing- “EPA Science Assessment”

 Senate: In Session 1/30-2/3:

            1/31: ENR Full Committee Hearing- “US and Global Energy Outlook”

            1/31: Finance Full Committee Hearing- “Extenders and Tax Overhaul”

            2/1: Budget Full Committee Hearing- “Budget and Economic Outlook”

Anticipated Administrative Action: EPA expected to release GHG Regulations in January.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq.  Together, we offered a final, proud salute to the colors under which more than a million of our fellow citizens fought – and several thousand gave their lives.

We gather tonight knowing that this generation of heroes has made the United States safer and more respected around the world.  For the first time in nine years, there are no Americans fighting in Iraq.  For the first time in two decades, Osama bin Laden is not a threat to this country.  Most of al Qaeda’s top lieutenants have been defeated.  The Taliban’s momentum has been broken, and some troops in Afghanistan have begun to come home.

These achievements are a testament to the courage, selflessness, and teamwork of America’s Armed Forces.  At a time when too many of our institutions have let us down, they exceed all expectations.  They’re not consumed with personal ambition.  They don’t obsess over their differences.  They focus on the mission at hand.  They work together.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we followed their example.  Think about the America within our reach:  A country that leads the world in educating its people.  An America that attracts a new generation of high-tech manufacturing and high-paying jobs.  A future where we’re in control of our own energy, and our security and prosperity aren’t so tied to unstable parts of the world.  An economy built to last, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded.

Read the Full Text Here

Earlier this month Bloomberg reported that North Dakota oil production surged 42% to 510,000 barrels a day in November from a year earlier as energy explorers accelerated drilling the Bakken Shale formation of the Williston Basin which underlies much of North Dakota, eastern Montana, and parts of southern Canada. Although oil was first discovered there over 60 years ago, efforts to produce it have noticeably increased in the past few years, due in large part to technological advancements in production technology.

So what does this mean in terms of US Energy consumption? MSNBC reported in December that, “it’s highly likely that this year will be the first time in more than six decades that the United States will be a net exporter of petroleum products.” EIAprovided some more statistics in its executive summary of AEO2012 Early Release: “Net petroleum imports as a share of total U.S. liquid fuels consumed drop from 49 percent in 2010 to 36 percent in 2035 in AEO2012.” (See EIA Chart).

Edward Morse, a former US energy official who now directs global commodities research at Citigroup says of the shift: “It’s dramatic. It’s transformative,” and Daniel Yergin stated, “What’s occurring is a rebalancing of the world oil supply.”

In addition to the implications for the oil market, the boom is having effects on the life and state economy in North Dakota. We like the following articles that further describe the change of pace to the small towns. This Forbes article provides more insight into the “Bakken Boom,” while NPR describes some of the downsides. 

The introduction states:

“The outlook for global energy is not just a matter for energy companies: it’s an issue for all of us. Around the world, there is a lively and important conversation taking place on the choices that face us all – as consumers, producers, investors and policy-makers. By sharing this Energy Outlook, we hope to contribute to that discussion. […]

“In this outlook we seek to identify long term energy trends, and then add our views on the evolution of the world economy, of policy, and technology, to develop a projection for world energy markets to 2030. It is a projection, not a proposition, and this is an important distinction. […]

“We also highlight potential alternative outcomes, assessing in particular a case based on more aggressive policies to address climate change, as well as sensitivities for different economic growth paths. This is done to highlight the economic mechanisms that govern global energy markets, and how these can translate alternative policies into alternative outcomes.”

Click here for a link to the full report.