Washington Post – Why We Should Speed U.S. Gas Exports

In an op-ed for the Post, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming writes that the United States has a rare opportunity through natural gas exports to simultaneously create jobs, strengthen our foreign policy hand and help allies abroad. “Make no mistake: Our allies need energy to grow,” he writes. “If the United States does not supply that energy, someone else will.”

The Telegraph – U.S. Having Real Energy Revolution with Oil Surge

“Despite disruptions to oil supply in Africa and parts of the Middle East, rising US output ensured that global oil production continued to grow,” writes Garry White.

Houston Chronicle – FracFocus Becomes More User-Friendly

The hydraulic fracturing chemical registry has been updated to allow users to... more »

In a blog post earlier this month Kristy Moore of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) took some shots at testing by the Coordinating Research Council (CRC) that showed higher levels of ethanol in fuel could damage the engines of millions of U.S. vehicles. A separate CRC study found that higher ethanol blends also could damage fuel pump systems, potentially leaving motorists stranded on the road and/or stuck with repair bills.

Obviously, both findings complicate RFA’s mission to increase ethanol use – which explains RFA’s cavalier dismissal of sound research and sound science, as well as its disingenuous defense of mandates in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which is forcing more ethanol on the public than is safe.

Moore’s post, “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: CRC’s Engi... more »

The energy stimulus from shale development last year in Pennsylvania is big – big as in approaching a number with nine zeroes:

• $202.4 million collected in state impact fees from energy producers.
• $731 million in rents and royalties paid to land and mineral rights owners.

That’s nearly $1 billion from the oil and natural gas industry in terms of tax revenues for government to allocate (more below) and payments to individuals.

Pennsylvania officials announced this week $202,472,000 was collected in producer-paid impact fees in 2012. About $204 million was collected for 2011, bringing the two-year total to more than $406.6 million, state officials said. Public Utility Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson:

“The PUC is entrusted by the Governor and the legislature with th... more »

Fuel Fix Blog – Report: Renewables, Natural Gas Should Work Together On the Grid

According to a new report by the Texas Clean Energy Coalition, natural gas and renewables “have a strong complimentary relationship” that is beneficial for providing the energy Americans need every day.

Today in Energy – U.S. Crude Oil Production Could Reach 10M Barrels Per Day By 2040

EIA projects that thanks in large part to increased tight oil production – shale development – domestic production could continue to expand to 10 million barrels per day or higher by 2040.

Savannah Morning News – Let’s Admit the Ethanol Mistake

In a guest post, J. Winston Porter writes that “the ethanol in our gasoline increases the cost to fill our cars, is heavily subsidized by taxpayers and has considerable enviro... more »

Wall Street Journal – U.S. Oil Notches Record Growth

In the latest sign that  the shale revolution is remaking world energy markets,  the WSJ cites BP’s 2012 Statistical Review showing crude production in the U.S. jumped 14 percent last year to 8.9 million barrels a day. (subscription publication).

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette – Pennsylvania to See $202.47 Million in Per-Well Fracking Impact Fees

A new Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission report notes that more than $200 million from hydraulic fracturing impact fees will be distributed to local governments across the state. Bradford County in the state's northeast will collect the most at $7.3 million while Washington is second at $4.7 million. Lycoming and Tioga counties follow with $4.4 million each.

The Hill – GOP Warns of $1 Tri... more »