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 »

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 »

Lots to like in President Obama’s remarks earlier this week from New York:

“When it comes to energy, not only have we been able to double our production of clean energy, but even in terms of traditional energy, we will probably be a net exporter of natural gas in somewhere between five and ten years.  And so the idea of the United States being energy independent – which seemed far-fetched as recently as 10 years ago – now is actually a possibility.”

As well as those from Texas earlier this month, where he talked about job creation and driving economic momentum:

“… we've got to make America a magnet for good jobs. … And even as we’re working to reverse the trend of communities that have been hard hit with old manufacturing leaving, we’ve got to propose partnerships with local... more »

New Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell is on the right track in her remarks at this week’s Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, committing Interior to providing “regulatory certainty, predictability (and) consistency” in oil and natural gas development.
This is critical to reverse recent declining development in federal areas. According to the Congressional Research Service, while oil production in non-federal areas was up 2009 to 2012, in federal areas it was down 6 percent:

Similar story for natural gas – rising production in non-federal areas compared to a 21 percent decline in areas controlled by the federal government:

The uncertainty Jewell wants to address shows in how long it takes to get a federal drilling permit, compared to the wait for a state permit (Ho... more »

The folks at Oil Sands Fact Check have a new video that shows strong support for the Keystone XL pipeline from union members at a recent rally in Washington:

Worth underscoring:

“The Keystone XL pipeline does not require an act of Congress; it does not require an appropriation.  It’s privately funded, it’s ready to go.  All it needs is one last permit and we go to work.”

– Sean McGarvey, president, Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO)

“It’s about jobs; that’s what it’s about – put Americans back to work again in an industry that has a 14.7 percent unemployment rate. It’s good for our economy, it’s good for our country; it’s good for our energy independence and it’s good for working men and women in the building trades.”

– Terry O’Sullivan, general president,... more »