As world leaders gather at the COP29 climate summit, a surprising trend is emerging: some of the biggest oil companies are scaling back their renewable energy efforts. Why? The answer is simple—profits. Fossil fuels deliver higher returns than renewables, reshaping priorities across the energy industry.

The global oil market is full of potential but also fraught with challenges. Demand and production are climbing to impressive levels, yet prices remain surprisingly low. What’s driving these mixed signals, and what role does the U.S. play?

The U.S. faces a pressing waste crisis as global waste levels rise and recycling remains largely ineffective. Traditional landfills, responsible for massive methane emissions and water contamination, continue to grow, and the energy-intensive recycling process for plastics remains hotly debated. With artificial intelligence (AI) now revolutionizing landfill management and pushing energy companies like Exxon Mobil to address their role in plastic waste, the question is: can technology bring us closer to a sustainable future?

The rapid growth of natural gas production in the Permian Basin is pushing existing infrastructure to its limits, and additional pipeline projects are on the horizon to meet rising demand, according to East Daley Analytics. Despite ongoing price volatility—marked by repeated declines—demand for expanded energy markets continues to surge.

Landfills are essential to America’s waste management system, yet they face several operational, environmental, and regulatory challenges. With over 2600 active municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills across the country, they occupy an average of more than 600 acres, which is roughly equivalent to 500 football fields. Methane emissions from landfills contribute significantly to global warming, accounting for 15.1% of U.S. methane emissions. As the waste sector is a major contributor to methane emissions, there is a growing emphasis on improved monitoring, reduction technologies, and the integration of renewable natural gas (RNG) solutions to mitigate the impacts of these emissions.

California has long been at the forefront of renewable energy in the United States, from its vast solar farms to its growing battery storage capacities. But beneath the headlines of a "clean energy revolution" lies a complex reality—one shaped by ambitious targets, grid challenges, and the everyday experiences of Californians grappling with rising energy costs and increasing grid instability. As California pushes towards its 100% clean energy goal, the road is full of both promise and pitfalls.

Texas is taking bold steps toward a future powered by clean energy. Once known mainly for its oil and gas, the state is now a leader in wind, solar, and battery storage. But as electricity demand grows, so do the challenges of balancing energy needs with infrastructure limits. Here’s a look at how Texas is transforming and what hurdles lie ahead + find out who works with Facebook’s parent company Meta on new technology across the U.S.

Power Plants: 124955 MW Solar: 63726 MW Wind: 2204 MW Biodisel Plants: 1.5 Mmgal/yr capacity Source: Rextag Energy DataLink

The United States government has announced a significant investment of $7.3 billion from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to support clean energy initiatives led by rural electric cooperatives. These projects aim to reduce energy costs, enhance reliability, and promote sustainability for rural communities, where energy costs tend to be higher than in urban areas. This investment marks a substantial effort toward decarbonizing rural America while supporting job creation and infrastructure improvements.

Solar energy is quickly becoming one of the most popular and sustainable ways to generate power. As more people and businesses turn to renewable energy, finding the best spots in the United States to build solar farms is crucial. This is where Geographic Information Systems (GIS) comes in. GIS technology helps us analyze the environment, land features, and land use to identify the best places for solar energy projects. By using GIS, we can boost energy production and reduce the environmental impact, all while helping the country meet its renewable energy goals.

Last week, Exxon Mobil, Shell, BP, and ConocoPhillips all reported second-quarter earnings that exceeded analysts' expectations, while Chevron’s results fell short, largely due to challenges in its refining business. A significant portion of these multi-billion dollar earnings came from oil and gas production. The companies' executives have indicated that they plan to increase spending on new exploration projects moving forward. While this doesn't suggest that investors are ignoring climate goals at these major oil firms, it does show that they are focusing more on the profits generated from production.

Renewable diesel, a cousin to traditional petroleum diesel, stands out as a standalone fuel and a blendable option. In 2022, it accounted for about 8% of all U.S. biofuel production and 9% of its consumption. For decades, diesel has been the stalwart choice for both shippers and carriers, valued for its reliability. Yet, as sustainability becomes a priority, these industries are now navigating the complex world of alternative fuels. This shift has its challenges; the array of choices comes with varying information about availability, cost, performance, and environmental impact. Amidst these options, renewable diesel is gaining traction.

The global investment in upstream oil and gas is also set to rise by 7% in 2024 to $570 billion, continuing the growth trend from 2023. National oil companies in the Middle East and Asia primarily drive this increase. This year, the global shift toward clean energy will see investments reaching a monumental $2 trillion, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This amount is double what is being invested in fossil fuels. In its annual World Energy Investment report, the IEA highlights that for the first time, total energy investment will surpass $3 trillion in 2024.

Power companies argue that natural gas is essential for meeting energy demands when renewable sources like wind and solar aren't producing enough electricity. Despite the increasing role of renewables, which are setting new records in U.S. power generation and are favored to replace coal, the intermittency of these sources presents challenges that could keep natural gas in the mix through at least 2030. According to the U.S. Energy Information Association, the U.S. has enough natural gas reserves to last approximately 86 years. However, the finite nature of these reserves highlights the need for a continued shift towards more renewable and sustainable energy sources.

In January, US natural gas production dropped to 102 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) from December's record of 106 Bcf/d due to bad weather. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects it to recover soon, hitting 105 Bcf/d by March. The EIA's outlook for 2024 predicts an average production of about 104 Bcf/d, slightly down from the earlier forecast of 105 Bcf/d. By 2025, production is anticipated to climb over 106 Bcf/d.