It's mid-afternoon, and the sky is darkening with the arrival of summer showers, seemingly from every direction. Tall grasses blanketing the hillocks and swales of Wapisiw Lookout ripple in the wind as drops patter down. In the distance, a 2-year-old black bear cub bumbles across what is actually a 550-acre environmental project - in the heart of Canada's oil sands region. Go figure.

The fact is lots of people have done lots of figuring on the environment at Suncor's oil sands operation near Fort McMurray, Alberta, about 270 miles northeast of Edmonton. More on Canadian oil sands in future posts, but a big part of what's happening along the Athabasca River is the relationship that development of a valuable energy resource can have with the environment.

Suncor carefully recycles its water a... more »

Allegations that hydraulic fracturing threatens the nation's groundwater are spotty, unconvincing and contradicted by the weight of evidence, including more than 60 years of experience using the technology in more than one million wells. Multiple studies of the potential for contamination from hydraulic fracturing have failed to find significant problems. And more regulatory oversight and improved industry best practices continue to ensure that groundwater supplies used for drinking are well protected.

As outlined on our new website EnergyFromShale: "It is important to note that safe and responsible development doesn't just happen, it is the result of dedicated efforts by the oil and natural gas industry, working with regulators and local communities, to alleviate potential nuisances, redu... more »

With all due respect to Tulsa World columnist Mike Jones - who should know better being from oil and natural gas country - his Sunday piece wrongly depicts the two sides in the public debate over hydraulic fracturing. Jones wrote:

"Stopping hydraulic fracturing in gas wells altogether or allowing unlimited and unregulated fracking are the two sides of a controversial issue that we are hearing most these days."

Sorry, but that's just plain wrong. This is a contest between those who're opposed to fracking - and most likely to abundant, affordable natural gas as well - and those who support effectively regulated, responsible development of a key American resource.

Industry is demonstrating its commitment to sensible state and local regulation wherever hydraulic fracturing is under way. Here's... more »

There was a great point at the tail end of this week's hydraulic fracturing public hearing hosted by the Energy Department's natural gas subcommittee.

When asked about industry compliance with Wyoming regulations that require each oil and natural gas well to get an air-quality permit, state Department of Environmental Quality Director John Corra had positive things to say. "Industry has risen to the occasion," Corra said. "We have willing partners in this effort to make this as clean as possible."

Some might dismiss Corra's remark as anecdotal, but the subcommittee shouldn't. The panel was created to assess what's happening with hydraulic fracturing and the effectiveness of state regulatory efforts. The Wyoming example suggests a larger truth: The oil and natural gas industry is committed... 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 »