Polyethylene Demand Climbs but Market Uncertainty Slows Expansion
Polyethylene demand keeps rising, but tight margins, high interest rates and investment risk are slowing new petrochemical project development.| blog.burnsmcd.com
The pace of change in the power industry continues to accelerate. Though many renewable energy sectors faced setbacks under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, battery energy storage systems emerged largely intact.| Burns & McDonnell Blog
Polyethylene demand keeps rising, but tight margins, high interest rates and investment risk are slowing new petrochemical project development.| blog.burnsmcd.com
As power industry veterans, Gabriel Chavez and Stephen Henson have an insider’s perspective on asset management and life extension issues facing the nuclear power industry. With most nuclear power units approaching the end of their first license renewals, the feasibility of extending service lives with another 20-year operating license is a topic of consideration by many nuclear plant operators.| Burns & McDonnell Blog
As solar and storage facilities approach midlife, many owners are facing critical decisions on maintaining or replacing equipment. Repowering a solar facility refers to the process of upgrading or replacing key components of an existing solar power system. These may include inverters, PV modules, and even supporting structures or electrical infrastructure.| Burns & McDonnell Blog
Deadlines delayed are not deadlines avoided. That is the stark reality facing electric utilities, even as many independent system operators (ISOs) and regional transmission organizations (RTOs) have requested extensions for compliance with FERC Order 881.| Burns & McDonnell Blog
Doug Cheek in Connect on LinkedIn When environmental emergencies strike — whether it's a pipeline release, chemical spill or natural disaster — swift action is only part of the equation. What happens after the immediate response is just as critical. Doug Cheek, a senior hydrologist at Burns & McDonnell, has helped lead restoration planning efforts across complex environmental response scenarios. He shares insights into how proactive planning and strong coordination help smooth the transit...| Burns & McDonnell Blog
The baking and snack manufacturing industry is experiencing a profound digital transformation, fueled by automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Confronted with ongoing labor shortages, escalating costs and heightened consumer demands for quality, food manufacturers are embracing advanced technologies to maintain their competitive edge. Far from merely adapting to survive, this shift is about redefining the benchmarks for productivity, consistency and innovation across the sector.| Burns & McDonnell Blog
As electricity demand continues to increase across the U.S., utilities are looking for ways to get more performance out of their existing generation fleets. Specifically, combustion turbines, critical for delivering firm and dispatchable power, are facing increased operational stress in hotter climates and tighter energy markets. Inlet air cooling (IAC) offers a practical, proven solution for enhancing turbine efficiency and gaining valuable megawatts from equipment already in the field.| Burns & McDonnell Blog
Natural gas is emerging as the fuel of choice for high-load facilities considering behind-the-meter power solutions to counter grid constraints.| blog.burnsmcd.com
Momentum across the U.S. manufacturing sector remains mixed in mid 2025, with some indicators showing renewed growth and others reflecting ongoing contraction. Strategic investments, the adoption of emerging technologies and shifting global trade priorities continue to shape the sector’s outlook. A major driver of this shift is the new U.S. presidential administration’s America First trade strategy. In March, President Trump released his 2025 trade policy agenda, prioritizing U.S. produ...| Burns & McDonnell Blog
As electric utilities face mounting demands, digital substations offer a path to scalable, efficient modernization. Utilities are starting to embrace the benefits.| blog.burnsmcd.com
Rising power demand and AI data growth are driving renewed interest in small modular reactors (SMRs), as updated federal rules shape licensing and site reuse.| blog.burnsmcd.com
Today’s gas generation market demands a new playbook — developers must act early, secure key resources fast and take risks strategically.| blog.burnsmcd.com
The Inflation Reduction Act puts billions of dollars toward financial incentives, making the oil, gas and chemical industry a player in the clean energy economy.| blog.burnsmcd.com
