Richmond Times-Dispatch – Warner, Kaine Introduce Bill to Allow Offshore Energy Leases

Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine want the current offshore drilling moratorium lifted off the coast of their state. Under their legislation, leases for offshore oil and natural gas drilling as well as wind farms could take effect in 2020. 

Fuel Fix Blog – W.Va. to launch New Oil, Natural Gas Job Training Center 

Two West Virginia colleges are opening training facilities focused on oil and natural gas development. Both schools will house indoor and outdoor laboratories to simulate drilling operations and will offer a variety of training programs to prepare students for jobs in the industry.

The Hill – The President’s Legacy on Energy

Economist Michael Economides argues for the Keyst... more »

The Advocate – Our Views: Riches Await in the Gulf

The Baton Rouge, La., paper touts the energy potential in the Gulf of Mexico after Interior Secretary Sally Jewell’s recent visit to an offshore rig there. The editorial backs Jewell’s statement that “maintaining the public’s trust in the safety and environmental performance of oil and gas production is critically important as we continue to tap into the Gulf’s abundant resource potential.” 

TribLIVE – How’s the Economy? Looking Up

Washington County, Pa., leads the greater Pittsburgh region in terms of economic development projects, energy production and job creation – thanks to natural gas development and hydraulic fracturing. 

The Oklahoman – Proposed EPA Standards  Could Fuel Higher Gasoline Prices

The newspaper  highlights... more »

The Hill – The Case for Keystone XL Goes Beyond Jobs and Energy Independence

In a guest column, Brigham McCown argues the benefits of  the Keystone XL pipeline would extend beyond  jobs and energy security to  safety. According to government statistics, pipelines are the safest way to transport energy supplies, writes McCown.

U.S. News and World Report – Lawmakers: Natural Gas Exports Could Erode Political Might of U.S. Adversaries

U.S. News recaps today’s House Subcommittee on Energy and Power hearing, which focused on legislation that would expedite U.S. natural gas exports. Supporters  say shipping natural gas to allies could strengthen diplomatic ties, undermine political leverage of adversaries, while also shaving the U.S. trade deficit and creating jobs.

The Journal News  –... more »

Take a look at the map below, one we’ve used before to show the vastness of America’s offshore oil and natural gas reserves – the overwhelming majority of which (in red) that’s off-limits for development.

That should be changed – and could be changed with the right policies in Washington. Legislation introduced today in Congress to allow drilling off Virginia’s coast is a step in that right direction. The bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell of Virginia would require the Interior Department to sell at least one offshore lease for oil and natural gas development there, mandating that a portion of any federal revenue be shared with the commonwealth.

Access to areas offshore and onshore is vital to the kind of expanded domestic oil and natural gas production needed to make the Un... more »

The map below makes clear that while there’s talk in Washington of an all-of-the-above approach to energy, there’s much to be done in applying that concept to our outer continental shelf (OCS) oil and natural gas reserves. Other claims notwithstanding, the number to focus on is 87 – as in the 87 percent of federal offshore acreage that’s off limits to oil and natural gas development, indicated in red. Areas open to development are colored blue.

America’s vast OCS energy potential remains largely just that, potential. Also on hold are jobs and economic growth associated with increased energy development. Key points:

• 88.6 billion barrels of oil and 398.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas are believed to be held in the OCS, according to the Bureau of Ocean Exploration and Managem... more »