Common sense should be applied to a federal transparency proposal – the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s pending Section 1504 rule that would make U.S. energy companies disclose what they pay foreign governments and the U.S. government for projects in those countries. The rule also should be consistent with administration policy … as in a directive from the president himself.

The president’s May 1, 2012, executive order, promoting international regulatory harmony and reducing unnecessary business costs by aligning U.S. regulations with those in other nations, appears applicable to Section 1504 – which looks like a harmony wrecker and more.

In written comments to the commission, API Vice President and General Counsel Harry Ng argues Section 1504 could bring U.S. companies int... more »

According to the Energy Information Administration, oil and natural gas supply more than 60 percent of the energy we currently use and will supply near that level for decades to come. The question is, how will America meet the challenge of that energy reality?

A presidential election year is an excellent opportunity for a conversation about energy policy. This week API presented a policy roadmap to the two political parties that takes into account the country’s ample oil and natural gas resources and discusses ways to use them for more jobs, a better economy and greater national security. API President and CEO Jack Gerard:

“The question facing America is not whether we will continue to need oil and natural gas in the decades to come. The question is: Where will we get it? Will we... more »

The Congressional Budget Office has a new report out on energy security that’s sure to spark conversation.  Much of that will seem muddled and polarized – not because of the speakers, but because of the nature of the report itself.  Let’s start with its basic premise:

“One widely used definition of energy security – and the one used in this report – is the ability of U.S. households and businesses to accommodate disruptions of supply in energy markets. Households and businesses are ‘energy secure’ with respect to a particular source of energy if a disruption in the supply of that source would create only limited additional costs.”

CBO is correct that the cost of energy matters, but having actual energy also matters. The report notes, for example, that the U.S. lacks “alternatives... more »

Keith Hennessey with a reminder:

"If (when?) battery technology leaps forward to make hybrid or electric vehicles a significant share of the market, then electricity and its sources will begin to act as significant substitutes for gasoline and diesel fuel. At that point R&D to reduce the cost of solar power, wind power, nuclear power, hydro power, and natural gas power could start to affect the price at the pump enough for you to notice. But until then fuel and electric power are for all practical purposes separate issues, and when an elected official’s response to high fuel prices is more research on or subsidies for some form of electric power production, he is either confused or misleading you. More from the EIA here.

But until then fuel and electric power are for all practic... more »

According to reports, members of the recent protests that have descended on lower Manhattan and Chicago plan to rally at the final State Department public hearing for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, scheduled Friday in Washington, D.C.

Certainly, the public square is big enough for all voices. Here are some others being heard on the Keystone XL, from Lincoln, Neb., Topeka, Kansas and, below, from last week's public hearing in Austin, Texas:

It's important to hear what these folks are saying: energy security, energy reality and, of course, jobs.

Oil from Canadian oil sands represents abundant energy from a secure source, our friend and ally to the north. As Bobby Petty said, more oil from Canada directly bears on the United States' access to reliable supply. Canadian oil is a key part o... more »