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 »

Great energy conversation this week at Real Clear Politics’ event: Fueling America’s Future. The summit’s two panels featured representatives from all of our energy sectors as well as the issues that will play large roles as policymakers debate the path that will keep our economy fueled and individual lives prospering. You can see the event here:

RealClearPolitics Energy Summit: Fueling America's Future from RealClearPolitics on FORA.tv

Regardless of whether the energy comes from water, air, the sun or the ground, some key messages/themes were echoed by all participants:

• America is rich in energy and energy technology. Far from running out, we are “running into energy.”
• America needs a true all-of-the-above approach to energy, one that emphasizes the sources that run... 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 »