The Marcellus Shale, a 400 million-year-old rock formation that contains large amounts of natural gas available through a process called hydraulic fracturing, is living up to its potential. Two unexpected discoveries in northeastern Pennsylvania last week demonstrated shale gas formations don't just hold promise, they deliver.

Meanwhile, according to news reports, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is backing a new study that says the state can safely permit "fracking" without endangering groundwater. This is consistent with findings by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ground Water Protection Council that there's no direct link between hydraulic fracturing operations and groundwater impacts. Recall that President Obama said he believes fracking will play a key role in our country's... more »

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson says the natural gas industry needs to be out front on hydraulic fracturing regulations. With all due respect, that's already happening.

Fracking has been used to free oil and natural gas trapped in subterranean rock formations for six decades - safely. Recall that none other than Administrator Jackson told a congressional committee in May she knew of no instances of water contamination caused by hydraulic fracturing.

That's because the industry members who're producing this important energy source are committed to best practices and guidelines, developed from field experience and in cooperation with API.

For example, in Texas, where the Barnett Shale and Eagle Ford plays are producing clean-burning natural gas - more than 4 billion cubic feet a day in the Ba... more »

A warm shout out to our friends in Canada, where today they celebrate Canada Day, marking the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North American provinces back in 1867. Canadians will spend the day picnicking, attending parades and watching fireworks.

Here in the United States, let's celebrate the fact we have Canada as our No. 1 energy partner - supplying more crude oil than any other country (21 percent of imports to Saudi Arabia's 12 percent). Thanks, Canada, for providing dependable and safe energy that translates into security, U.S. and Canadian jobs and mutual economic growth.

The fact is Canada is key to America's energy present and future. With the right domestic policies and construction of the Keystone XL pipeline - delivering upwards of 833,000 barrels of oi... more »