Imports of crude oil have decreased significantly over the past four years as the U.S. has become more self-reliant in meeting its energy needs domestically. In fact, as the graph below shows, from the beginning of 2008 through the end of 2012 net U.S. oil imports have declined by more than 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) while domestic production has increased by almost 1.5 million bpd. In short, the increase in domestic production accounts for all of the reduction in imports and then some.

The 2008-to-2012 timeframe is especially significant, because the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007), which set the required ethanol volumes for the current Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), was signed into law Dec. 19, 2007.

Here’s the point: The ethanol industry and its... more »

Over the past few months we’ve talked about problems with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the risks its mandates for higher blends of ethanol in fuel may pose to vehicle engines and fuel systems, as well as to service station pumps and storage tanks. But backers of increased ethanol use – major corn growers and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) – claim that the science detailing these risks is irrelevant, that the concerns of environmental groups, consumer safety advocates like AAA, food groups, state regulators and the oil industry are unfounded and are designed to protect the oil industry’s fuel market share. Yet, as we'll discuss here, it appears that RFA’s main concern about the RFS is its market share – which may explain why the group frequently is so willing to ignore fac... more »

It’ll take more than 60 seconds to debunk the main untruths in Fuels America’s video, “The Truth Behind High Gasoline Prices in 60 Seconds” – but then fact often is more complicated than fiction.

First, a few words about Fuels America. It’s a collection of groups committed to “protecting” the flawed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), with its broken mandates for increasing use of ethanol. The organization that includes the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and major corn growers is attacking America’s oil and natural gas industry – ironically, ethanol’s biggest customer. Why? Because it has identified significant problems with ethanol mandates under the RFS, which also have generated concern from auto manufacturers, consumer safety groups like AAA, farmers, grocery manufacturers, environme... more »

Penn Energy – California City “Goes Green” with Chevron Energy Solutions

Collaborating with Chevron’s Energy Solutions, the City of Patterson is working to improve the city’s sustainability, including solar installations and energy efficiency programs that will reduce costs for consumers.

Wall Street Journal – India Is Ready for U.S. Natural Gas

There is “significant potential for U.S. exports of LNG to grow exponentially,” writes Nirapama Rao, India’s   ambassador to the U.S. “The prospect of increased Indian investment in the U.S. natural-gas market will usher in a new era for a strong and mutually rewarding India-U.S. energy partnership.” (subscription publication)

Popular Mechanics – How Will the Keystone XL Pipeline Be Built?

Interesting read on the magazine’s website deta... more »

The biofuels/ethanol debate has moved over to National Journal’s Energy Experts Blog, with this week’s posts addressing whether the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that mandates biofuel use should be left alone, amended or repealed. Some of what others are saying:

Bernard Weinstein – associate director of SMU’s Maguire Energy Institute:

“The biofuels mandate has done little or nothing to enhance America’s energy independence or security. Oil imports have dropped dramatically over the past five years, from 60 percent of consumption to around 35 percent; but the credit goes to the shale revolution that has greatly boosted domestic production. What’s more, the potential contribution of ethanol to the energy mix has been oversold. Processing the entire U.S. corn crop into ethanol would... more »