Heading into another weekend, here's a look at some of the positive ways energy is affecting life in these United States:

Michigan Marathon - The Detroit Free Press reports that expansion work on Marathon's Detroit refinery is expected to peak this fall, employing 1,300 workers. The $2.2 billion project started three years ago and will let Marathon process more Canadian oil sands. Marathon promises to add 60 jobs and 75 contract positions after work is completed in the second half of next year, the paper reports. The expanded refinery is expected to generate $230 million in additional city tax revenues over the next 20 years, plus an estimated $85 million in state and local taxes.

(Oil) Boomer Sooner - You might have seen this earlier in the week, but a new study about the impact of oil an... more »

While the response to the Deepwater Horizon accident has focused on BP, it's not the only energy company that is working 24/7 to plug the leaks and manage the spill.

As Chris John, president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association observed in the podcast below, many other companies have volunteered to send equipment and personnel to help in the response activities.

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) recently compiled a list of companies that have offered to help with response effort. Many API members are included:

• Marathon - Two support vessels; deepwater drilling experts; and ROV hot stab equipment.

• Chevron - Chevron's Venice, La., base for spill response activities; personnel from its Pascagoula refinery to assist the Coast Guard's... more »