White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer put up a blog post last week, fact-checking his boss’ all-of-the-above energy strategy – perhaps because others have found the president’s energy assertions are more myth than fact, that he’s really offering an almost-none-of-the-above approach. Let’s review the White House’s defense.

Pfeiffer:

“The fact is, oil is bought and sold in a world market. And just like last year, the biggest thing that’s causing the price of oil to rise right now is instability in the Middle East.”

This important acknowledgement – echoed by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke – accurately depicts the reality that crude oil is a global commodity whose pricing is affected by global events. Keep that in mind as we continue.

Pfeiffer:

“The truth i... more »

Here’s President Obama, campaigning Thursday in New Hampshire, calling for a vote on higher taxes on America’s oil and gas companies:

“We can put every single member [of Congress] on record: You can either stand up for the oil companies or you can stand up for the American people."

Respectfully, Mr. President, this is no it’s-either-us-or-them situation.

America’s oil and natural gas companies are the American people. We support 9.2 million jobs, contribute billions to the national economy annually and provide $86 million a day to the U.S. Treasury.

Even in a tough economic environment, this industry is a job creator, provides stimulus and pays its fair share of taxes – and we can do more. With the right policies our industry could create 1 million new jobs by 2018 and 1.4 mi... more »

Shale oil and natural gas development in the United States has been a clear economic success story during a time when successes have been few.  Our industry has been producing energy, jobs and revenue at a strong clip.  And yet we’ve only begun to realize the benefits of energy from shale.  

The industry is committed to producing this energy safely and responsibly, and in addition to strong industry standards, there are appropriate federal and state regulations in place for oil and natural gas operations, including those that employ hydraulic fracturing.  And many state rules have recently been strengthened. 

So it is a concern that there are now 10 separate federal government agencies looking to study and potentially add new and unnecessary layers of regulations on hydraulic fractur... more »

Just saying…

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In Carrollton, Ohio, it’s all business – the businesses around town and across Carroll County that are experiencing a renaissance because energy-rich deposits of shale that have brought oil and natural gas development to eastern Ohio.

Donna Saur, restaurant owner:

“I moved back home after 16 years of being gone. I needed a job. People starting coming into town, and we started hearing about shale.  I would say we’ve seen a 30 percent increase in business over the last year, which 30 percent is – big.”

Bill Newell, owner of a realty and auction business:

“We’ve seen an increase in our business here through this past year with the oil and gas workers coming.”

Tom Wheaton, Carroll County commissioner:

“It’s the first time we’ve been under 10 percent unemployment in, go... more »