As Energy Citizens are preparing to rally in North Carolina, a new study shows that as many as 87,000 jobs could be wiped out in the state if the House-passed climate bill becomes law. The study also projects that the average North Carolina household would see its purchasing power fall by as much as $840 a year, and the state domestic product would fall by 1.6 percent. The impact on the state's economy could be devastating as tax revenues shrink, taking away much-needed funds for schools, police and fire departments, and hospitals.

The study by CRA International analyzes the impact of the Waxman-Markey climate bill, which was narrowly approved by the House of Representatives in June. This fall the Senate will debate its version of a climate bill.

CRA International's findings also indicate... more »

For those of you who couldn't attend yesterday's Energy Citizens rally in Houston, we've posted a video about the event. As you'll see, the crowd donned the yellow T-shirts passed out at the door, waved signs and listened intently to the speakers.

It was obvious to me that the 3,500 participants were very sincere in their concern about the House-passed climate bill on their jobs and their families. As I walked through the crowd, several people had stories to tell.

Eric, for example, was worried about American jobs being exported overseas as a result of the Waxman-Markey legislation. He mentioned that India recently built a huge refinery with the sole purpose of exporting petroleum products. He wondered about the future of U.S. refining and how the bill could affect the economy.

Kristen sa... more »

According to API's monthly statistics report, July oil product deliveries--a measure of demand--fell 3.0 percent from a year ago, which slowed the rate of decline by half compared with the first half of the year.

Despite the overall decline in product deliveries, gasoline deliveries rose a modest 0.8 percent, and distillate fuel oil deliveries (including diesel fuel) marked their first month in almost two years without a significant dip. Jet fuel deliveries fell nearly 12 percent from a year ago to their lowest July level since 1993, and residual oil deliveries dropped by more than one-fourth.

"The data are consistent with reports the economic downturn may be flattening out," said Ron Planting, manager, information and analysis for the American Petroleum Institute. "However, U.S. oil deman... more »

About 3,500 people streamed into Houston's Verizon Wireless Center today to remind Congress that energy is the backbone of the U.S. economy. Many wore bright yellow T-shirts emblazoned with "I'm an Energy Citizen," and hundreds signed petitions opposing the House-passed climate bill. Studies have shown that the bill will greatly increase fuel prices and eliminate millions of jobs.

The rally was organized by an alliance of 18 national groups and scores of local organizations who have voiced concern about the Waxman-Markey climate bill. Together they created a forum where Americans from all walks of life could express their views on the legislation's potential impact on their jobs and lives. Before the rally began, many of the attendees chanted, "Save our jobs" and waved posters bearing slog... more »

This week's episode focuses on the recent tour of oil sands operations in Alberta, Canada that I've been posting about frequently. As I've mentioned, oil sands are a critically important resource, providing crude oil to the United States. Of the more than 2 million barrels of Canadian crude oil that are imported to the U.S. every day, about half is derived from Canada's abundant oil sands.

Use the audio player below to listen to information on oil sands and follow along with the show notes. I hope you find the podcast informative.

Show Notes:

00:30 Of the more than two million barrels of Canadian crude oil that are imported to the U.S. every day, about half is derived from Canada's abundant oil sands.

00:43 The sound you're hearing is a 380-ton vehicle rolling into a quarry to pic... more »