Free Enterprise – Energizing Manufacturing

Current North American energy abundance is the result of innovation and private-sector investment, writes FE. “Government policies that restrict development or prevent the market from working effectively may reduce the benefits this energy competitive advantage offers to Americans and to our manufacturing industries.”

Project Syndicate – Frack to the Future

Harvard professor and former Clinton administration economic advisor Jeffrey Frankel argues the environmental benefits of increased natural gas use, noting that “one can virtually prove that shale gas is the major factor behind the fall in US emissions.”

Forbes – Energy Reality Check: Keystone XL Crude Won’t Be Exported

Contributor Loren Steffy debunks the myth that Keystone XL crud... more »

Fuel Fix Blog – U.S. Led World in Oil Growth in 2012

According to a new BP report, U.S. oil production growth,  the largest in the country’s history, helped keep global crude prices from rising sharply. Shale development had the biggest impact on this increase in oil production.

Washington Times – U.S. Gains Global Competition as Shale Revolution Heats Up

While the U.S.  has been “the dominant player in the shale revolution until now,” the newspaper cites new estimates showing that Russia and China have potential to rise in the global market by exploiting their own shale resources.

Forbes – International Investment Could Be Coming to Oil and Natural Gas Midstream Sector

Thanks to the surge in U.S. shale production, investments from international companies could be making its wa... more »

BusinessInsider.com has an article disparaging oil and natural gas sector employment, as well as the industry’s ability to create new jobs:

… let's look at oil and gas mining. The industry really employs very few people. Less than 200K people are in the oil and gas extraction business. … And on a month over month basis, just 500 or so new jobs were created in May. … So while oil and gas is a big exciting story, it’s not directly a big source of new jobs.

Both points would be news to the more than 6,000 people now working in direct industry jobs that were added from April to May of this year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

BusinessInsider.com’s piece is fairly shortsighted, failing to acknowledge what nearly every economist acknowledges – that a business sector’s... more »

The Atlantic – How Houston Became the Most Powerful Job Engine in the Country

Texas is killing it, reports the magazine’s website A new analysis of jobs recovered since the economic downturn finds that the state’s  largest city stands apart as the most powerful job engine in the country – thanks to its ties with the energy industry.

CNN Opinion – Make Sure Fracking is Done Right

In a guest post, the Council On Foreign Relations’ Michael Levi writes that “people are right to insist that [hydraulic fracturing] is done safely, but they're wrong if they conclude that it can't be.”

Washington Times – Illinois Edges Closer to Endorsing Hydraulic Fracturing

WT has a recap of the conversation and steps that have been taken by the Illinois  legislature to bring hydraulic fracturing to t... more »

The Hill’s E2 Wire – Senators Warned of ‘Narrowing’ Opportunity to Increase Natural Gas Exports

In an ongoing series of hearings focused on American natural gas exports, the Senate Energy Committee heard from panelists on the pending LNG export applications. The president of Sempra LNG noted that “if we wait too long … we will lose the jobs” associated with U.S. LNG projects.

National Journal – Graphic: Keystone XL is More Than a Pipeline

The House is set to vote on legislation that would approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline today. In advance of the vote, NJ has an infographic that details everything from the project’s route size and how much oil it will deliver to its  supporters and opponents.

Anchorage Daily News – Governor Signs Oil Tax Cut, Budget Bills

Legisla... more »