Hurricane Sandy’s impact on large parts of New Jersey and the New York City area made for riveting and sobering television, prompting an outpouring of responses – including those from the oil and natural gas industry, including:

• Hess Corporation, ExxonMobil, the Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery and the BP Foundation made donations to relief funds in New Jersey and New York, as well as the American Red Cross. In addition Hess offered a matching gift program for employees who wish to make a personal contribution to those relief efforts.
• BP contributed 13 18-wheeler trucks of emergency response supplies (generators, water and other items) to the Salvation Army. In addition, BP provided fuel for emergency response in New York, as well as to ConEd, Verizon and United Water, the northern N... more »

OK, so the administration is targeting tax code provisions that historically have encouraged domestic oil and natural gas exploration and development. The idea is to eliminate certain deductions currently allowed to energy companies and other industries - although the administration's only talking about ending them for oil and natural gas - and direct $4 billion to other purposes.

While the administration argues more taxes are needed because of higher gasoline prices, there's simply no economic connection between the two. "Raising taxes on oil and natural gas companies - or even a handful of the biggest U.S. energy companies - won't reduce gasoline prices," API President and CEO Jack Gerard told reporters recently. So why do it? Politico Pro's Morning Energy explains (subscription): "Democ... more »

The Rally for Jobs in Joliet, Illinois, was a reminder of the can-do spirit that is emblematic of America's Midwest. The event exuded patriotism, pride, perseverance--the hallmarks of the 1,000 union members as well as business and industry leaders who took a stand for jobs and the economy at the Pipefitters Training Center.

Among those who participated in the rally were Mike Ditka, the legendary Chicago Bears football coach; Jim Cornelison, the vocalist who sings the National Anthem at the Chicago Blackhawk hockey games; and national and local union leaders representing the blue-collar workers who have built America. Standing before the podium facing the crowd were veterans who recently received training as welders. You'll see them in the video below.

Rallies for Jobs were held in fiv... more »