Chicago Tribune – Illinois Governor Signs Bill to Regulate Fracking

Illinois is one step closer to  hydraulic fracturing after bipartisan legislation regulating the process was signed into law by Gov. Pat Quinn. Lawmakers say they hope the new regulations will encourage the oil and natural gas industry to invest in Illinois, helping to create jobs.

Fuel Fix Blog – Colleges Plan Training for Gas Drilling Jobs

Two colleges in southern Illinois are getting a jumpstart on possible oil and natural gas development in the state. Southeastern Illinois College and Rend Lake College are planning to provide training programs focused on safety and other areas related to  energy development.

ExxonMobil Perspectives – A Funny Idea of What “Back In Business” Means

Ken P. Cohen writes that oil... more »

CNN Money – Energy Helps North Dakota Grow Five Times Faster Than Nation

Propelled by a massive energy surge,  North Dakota’s economy grew  13.4 percent  in 2012, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis figures – nearly three times as fast as Texas, the No. 2 state. The oil and natural gas industry is a big economic driver, as well as manufacturing industries.

National Review Online – No More Energy Protectionism

In a guest post, the Heritage Foundation’s Nicolas Loris writes that, “In a free economy, goods and services go to their highest valued use. Natural gas is no different, and it should be treated the same as any other good the U.S. trades around the world.”

Radio Free Europe – An Interview with Daniel Yergin

The IHS CERA chairman  notes that the U.S. oil surge has crea... more »

President Obama’s decision on the Keystone XL pipeline turns on whether he believes the full project is in the U.S. national interest – whether he thinks it is good for our country’s national security, our energy future and our economy. The facts, the science and the American people say it is.

The last part first. The Keystone XL choice has obvious political implications. Over the almost five years the project has been under federal review, Americans have come to understand the Keystone XL’s importance, and they are rendering their opinion, as voters, in the strongest terms: Building the full Keystone XL is in the national interest. That’s what 82 percent of registered voters say in a new Harris Interactive Poll:

Breakdowns on the national-interest question by party identification... more »

Fox Business – Oil and Natural Gas Industry Readies for Hurricane Season

API’s Rayola Dougher stopped by Fox Business and outlined measures the industry takes to prepare its employees and facilities for the threats posed by hurricanes. “Worker safety is the industry’s top priority,” Dougher said.

CNN Money – U.S. Steps Up Natural Gas Exports

With  the Energy Department granting a second liquefied natural gas export license last month, the U.S. might soon see the approval pace quicken on the remaining export applications, CNN reports. 

San Francisco Gate – BP Announces Investment Plans After Alaska Oil Tax Change

The company says it  will invest another $1 billion for oil production in Alaska over the next five years. BP plans to  bring nine drilling rigs to the North Slope,... more »

CNN Money – Women Snag Big Chunk of New Oil & Natural Gas Jobs

Nearly half (46 percent) of new oil and natural gas jobs in the first quarter of 2013 were filled by women – a  shift for an industry that is still 80 percent male.

Breaking Energy – Everything’s Better with Bakken

Thanks to increased production out of the Bakken shale region, East Coast refineries are making a comeback. BE notes that Phillips 66’s  Bayway plant in New Jersey is  making gains in refining while also housing  a merchant co-generation GE power plant and a DuPont chemical manufacturing operation.

The Seattle Times – Industry Giant GE Digs Deep into Oil and Natural Gas Drilling

Advances in hydraulic fracturing and increased natural gas production has  General Electric  investing billions into U.S. oil an... more »