Comments on the potential of U.S. natural gas from new Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, in a video posted to his Facebook page:

“The way I look at it is that this natural gas boom is a boon. First of all, we all know that it is partially responsible for the decrease in CO2 emissions that we have experienced over the last years in the absence of, at least, over-arching legislation. Secondly, what I would argue is that the way to look at it – and, you know, as gas as kind of a bridge to a very low carbon future – is that it affords us a little bit more time to develop the technologies, to lower the costs of the alternative technologies, to get the market penetration of these new technologies.”

In other words, Moniz is saying that developing our natural gas reserves is key to our ener... more »

The Hill – Keep Climate Change Out of Keystone XL Decision, GOP Warns

In a letter, 24 Senate Republicans urged President Obama not to tie the Keystone XL pipeline project to “wholly unrelated and economically disastrous new regulatory policies.”

Bloomberg – FracFocus Drillers’ Registry to Create Chemicals Database

A revamped FracFocus website – expected next week – will now allow regulators to search and aggregate data. The Environmental Defense Fund’s Mark Brownstein called it  “a substantial improvement.”

Penn Energy – Port Arthur Stem Cracker Now Processing Shale Gas Ethane

Not commonly known, hydraulic fracturing also produces ethane – a  feedstock for manufacturers. Capitalizing on the abundance of shale production in Texas, a Port Arthur steam cracker plant will now be ab... more »

Gasoline prices have been rising with the approach of the summer driving season – up to about $3.66, according to AAA – pushed there by rising crude oil prices. U.S. consumers need help. And they could get it – if the administration pursued a number of energy policies to put downward pressure on global crude costs, while abandoning other choices that could harm consumers.

API Chief Economist John Felmy’s reporter briefing Thursday focused attention on two paths: one that will increase domestic production of oil and natural gas and one that won’t. Unfortunately, the administration – via proposals to increase energy taxes and a new wave of questionable regulation – looks headed down the wrong path, a recipe for disaster for American energy:

Felmy:

“The White House says it’s con... more »

Richmond Times-Dispatch – Warner, Kaine Introduce Bill to Allow Offshore Energy Leases

Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine want the current offshore drilling moratorium lifted off the coast of their state. Under their legislation, leases for offshore oil and natural gas drilling as well as wind farms could take effect in 2020. 

Fuel Fix Blog – W.Va. to launch New Oil, Natural Gas Job Training Center 

Two West Virginia colleges are opening training facilities focused on oil and natural gas development. Both schools will house indoor and outdoor laboratories to simulate drilling operations and will offer a variety of training programs to prepare students for jobs in the industry.

The Hill – The President’s Legacy on Energy

Economist Michael Economides argues for the Keyst... more »

You’ve got to wonder if New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gets tired of his state being compared to other states that are taking forward-looking approaches to energy development – and are seeing job creation and economic growth as a result.

Unfortunately for the governor, that’s what you can expect when you’re keeping significant shale reserves underground – delaying jobs and growth – while other states are realizing both from shale development, states like Pennsylvania, Texas, North Dakota and soon, Illinois.

Lawmakers in Illinois have approved a bill for state regulation of hydraulic fracturing that would clear the way for development of its shale reserves. The measure was crafted with input from industry and environmental groups, including the Sierra Club.

New York continues to dither,... more »