Americans heard President Obama talk about his “all-of-the-above” energy strategy during last year’s campaign. They heard him praise the revolution in natural gas production from shale while hailing the rise in oil production on his watch. The words were encouraging, but it’s time for action. Erik Milito, API’s group director for upstream and industry operations, outlined the stakes during a conference call with reporters:

“We hope the president will take actions to match the ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy that was a central theme in his re-election campaign. We’ve heard rhetorical support for oil and natural gas, but it will take the right policies to meet the administration’s own projections that show oil and natural gas will be critical to meeting America’s energy needs for d... more »

It’s tempting – while contemplating a rebuttal to the latest claim that oil companies pay billions of dollars to “sit” on federal oil and natural gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico – to simply refer to previous rebuttals when the claim was made in 2009 and again last year.  But then we wouldn’t get to summon our colorful Yogi Berra image from the bullpen:

Yeah, it really is déjà vu all over again on this one – some House Democrats claiming oil companies are sitting on huge energy reserves while asking for more areas to be opened up for drilling. Here are some big reasons why the claim is as absurd as some of the beloved Yankee catcher’s truisms:

• Capital expenditures: The oil and natural gas industry spent more than $230 billion in 2010 and more than $260 billion in 2011 and is on... more »

OK, we’ve talked about increased domestic energy access and a common-sense regulatory structure that considers cost-effectiveness in conducting industry oversight. The third element of a made-in-America energy plan is an approach that fosters investment in a sector that’s a proven job-creator and economic growth generator.

Unfortunately, this is an area where current policy hasn’t matched some of the pro-energy rhetoric coming from Washington. The administration has touted growth in domestic oil and natural gas production on its watch, but the reality is that production on federal lands and waters is declining, as the chart below shows. Overall production is up because of increases on state and private lands.

We can do more, but it will take new policies and procedures to create t... more »

The president spoke about energy again Thursday, saying his all-sources strategy will ensure a prosperous future:

“If we’re going to avoid being at the mercy of these world events, we’ve got to have a sustained, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every available source of American energy.”

The president is right: A sustained strategy that uses all of America’s energy sources is the key to U.S. energy security. API President and CEO Jack Gerard:

“More oil and gas development here at home would benefit the nation. It would increase the security of our energy supplies, create jobs, boost revenue tour government and help put downward pressure on prices at the pump.”

Ah, but the president’s so-called all-of-the-above strategy actually appears to be an almost-none-of-the-a... more »

In his State of the Union message last month, President Obama staked out the administration’s position on trade, citing new deals with a number of countries around the world and the quest for new trade opportunities:

“We’re also making it easier for American businesses to sell products all over the world. Two years ago, I set a goal of doubling U.S. exports over five years. With the bipartisan trade agreements we signed into law, we’re on track to meet that goal ahead of schedule. And soon, there will be millions of new customers for American goods in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.  … I will go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products.”

Some in Congress apparently didn’t get the memo about new markets for American products. There’s an effort afoot to re... more »