In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon accident, one of the most often asked questions is: What does this mean for the future of offshore drilling?

While many people are understandably concerned about the safety and environmental risks associated with offshore drilling, we are encouraging all Americans not to rush to judgment on this issue until we've learned what went wrong. This tragic accident shouldn't be used as an excuse to roll back the gains that have been made in developing new technologies to explore and develop our own energy resources.

The fact is that energy demand is growing, and this nation will need more oil and natural gas to meet the demand in the coming decades.

"...whatever the magnitu... more »

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed a law that would allow his state to file eminent domain proceedings against the federal government.

The goal: to gain control of state lands where energy development cannot occur because they are surrounded by protected federal lands.

Since the U.S. Constitution prohibits condemning federal lands, it's unlikely that Gov. Herbert will prevail in court, but his action is sending a message to Washington where energy-rich lands have been put off-limits by the federal government.

"When the donkey doesn't move," the governor said at a news conference, "you need to hit him across the head with a two-by-four just to get their attention." (The Wall Street Journal)

Energy development can generate well-paying jobs and provide economic opportunity. Pennsylvania, for... more »

U.S. gasoline production and gasoline demand set new records for a February, according to API's Monthly Statistical Report issued this morning.

February gasoline production increased 0.4 percent to a record February high of 8.8 billion barrels per day. Meanwhile, gasoline demand grew by 2.2 percent over the same month a year ago.

Gasoline (and components) imports fell in February by 25.9 percent from the same period last year to 813,000 barrels per day.

"These numbers clearly show that the refining industry is making the gasoline consumers are demanding--and making it at record levels," API Chief Economist John Felmy said.

U.S. crude oil production also increased in February to the highest level since June 2005. Baker Hughes reported the U.S. rig count climbed by 6.6 percent over January a... more »

Many of the world's most knowledgeable energy experts are meeting in Houston this week at the 29th annual CERAWeek conference. CERAWeek is sponsored by IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, Inc. to provide insight on the future of energy.

Although the speeches and panel discussions often focus on oil, this year natural gas is taking center stage.

As reported by Houston Chronicle blogger Tom Fowler, energy executives from Italy and the United States used their speeches to call attention to natural gas's potential in meeting future energy needs, while U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu only acknowledged shale natural gas.

In his speech, Sec. Chu discussed the development of new technologies to store power coming from windmills and suggested that natural gas be used to generate back-up elec... more »

Today's debate over energy policy is often defined as an either/or proposition: Either the nation embraces and invests in renewables, or it continues to rely on fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas.

Against this confrontational backdrop, it's refreshing to hear from someone who takes a holistic approach to energy policy and injects some common sense into the discussion.

Enter John Felmy, API's chief economist, and the author of a guest post at New Energy and Fuel. In a few short paragraphs, he discusses the benefits and possible shortcomings of various forms of energy and suggests a path that makes sense for America:

"This nation needs a rational energy policy. Yes, we'll need energy efficiency. Yes, we'll need alternatives, but we're going to need more oil and natural gas as well. W... more »