Ethanol advocates often assert that ethanol costs less per gallon than gasoline while trying to justify the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).  While it’s true that on a gallon-to-gallon basis ethanol historically has been cheaper than gasoline, ethanol contains far less energy than gasoline and therefore has cost consumers more to travel the same distance, as I pointed out (here, here and here).  Look at the graphics below, produced by EPA and the Energy Department: The real costs to consumers, measured in fuel economy, has been significant.

As you can see, vehicles that can run on either gasoline or E85 (average 74 percent ethanol content) get significantly fewer miles per gallon when using comparatively low energy ethanol blended fuels.  This means that in addition to the ex... more »

The Associated Press has this look at momentum for exporting U.S. natural gas, driven by an abundance of natural gas from shale via hydraulic fracturing. Bill Cooper, president of the Center for Liquefied Natural Gas, tells AP:

“LNG exports are a huge opportunity for the United States economy, our workers and our geopolitical relationships with countries such as Japan that are seeking to import natural gas. LNG exports will create jobs, increase government revenue and benefit consumers.”

Cooper is right. Studies – like this one for the Energy Department and this one by ICF International – show how America’s wealth in natural gas from shale could support demand here and overseas, to America’s benefit in terms of job and economic growth.

Currently, the Energy Department is review... more »

Associated Press – Natural Gas Export Plans Stir Debate

The AP highlights describes the  natural gas export debate, which is being driven by an abundance of domestic supply. Sen. Ron Wyden, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said officials should seek a "sweet spot" for LNG exports — allowing enough to spur drilling and increase gas supplies, but not enough to create export-driven price hikes.

Free Enterprise – Interior Secretary: Hydraulic Fracturing is "Essential"

Free Enterprise’s Sean Hackbarth recaps Secretary Sally Jewell’s recent testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee during which she stated that hydraulic fracturing is an “essential technology” that “can be done safely and responsibly.”

The Post-Journal – Hydraulic Fracturing Is A... more »

Two of the most strategic energy partners for the United States are undoubtedly Mexico and Canada. With the right policies toward our energy neighbors – approval of the Keystone XL pipeline and the U.S.–Mexico Hydrocarbon Transboundary Agreement (TBA) - we have the potential to be North American energy self-sufficient by 2030 and enhance our energy security.

Keystone XL has drawn a lot of headlines, and it is well known that the project is in the national interest. Less well known is the U.S.–Mexico TBA.

The U.S.–Mexico TBA will govern the treatment of resources in the Gulf of Mexico that are located near the maritime border with Mexico. Congress is currently reviewing the agreement and both the House and Senate have introduced implementing legislation.

Included in the House of Re... more »

New Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell is on the right track in her remarks at this week’s Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, committing Interior to providing “regulatory certainty, predictability (and) consistency” in oil and natural gas development.
This is critical to reverse recent declining development in federal areas. According to the Congressional Research Service, while oil production in non-federal areas was up 2009 to 2012, in federal areas it was down 6 percent:

Similar story for natural gas – rising production in non-federal areas compared to a 21 percent decline in areas controlled by the federal government:

The uncertainty Jewell wants to address shows in how long it takes to get a federal drilling permit, compared to the wait for a state permit (Ho... more »