In today's episode, I interview API President and CEO Jack Gerard about his "State of American Energy" speech. He stressed the need for sensible policies that create jobs, generate government revenue, and strengthen U.S. energy security.

Use the audio player below to listen to information about the article and follow along with the show notes. I hope you find the podcast informative.

00:17 At the beginning of every new year, people all over America tend to reflect on the past 12 months and think about what they hope to accomplish during the next 12 months. Here at API, we're doing something similar. We're examining the state of American energy and providing our thoughts on how domestic energy resources can help the economy grow and improve U.S. energy security. To talk about this t... more »

In today's episode, I interview George Clark, president of Manufacture Alabama, about the impact of the drilling moratorium on Alabama's economy and jobs. Use the audio player below to listen to information about the article and follow along with the show notes. I hope you find the podcast informative.

00:16 BP has stopped the oil from flowing in the Gulf and the remaining oil appears to be dissipating rapidly, but the economic damage from the spill continues. Companies of all types operating in the Gulf states are experiencing difficulties due to the spill or the de facto offshore drilling moratorium, and many Gulf Coast citizens are worried about their jobs. To give us his perspective on the economic impact in Alabama, we have George Clark, president of Manufacture Alabama, a tr... more »

In today's episode, I interview Dr. Tim Considine of the University of Wyoming about his recent study that quantifies the economic impact of developing natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation, which stretches beneath large portions of New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. His study also looks at state policies that could hinder natural gas production in the region and slow economic opportunities.

Use the audio player below to listen to information about the article and follow along with the show notes. I hope you find the podcast informative.

00:17 One of the most significant energy developments in recent years is the production of natural gas from shale rock formations. Technological advances such as the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have ma... more »

A bipartisan bill was introduced today by Virginia Congressmen Bob Goodlatte, Glenn Nye, Robert Wittman, Rick Boucher, Frank Wolf, Tom Perriello, Eric Cantor and Randy Forbes to take legislative action to move forward with Lease Sale 220, an oil and natural gas lease sale off Virginia's coast.

This sale was originally scheduled for 2011, but put on hold by the Interior Department.

We commend this bipartisan effort to allow oil and natural gas leasing in federal waters offshore Virginia, a policy that more than two in three citizens of the Commonwealth support.

Virginians-along with their governor, both of their Democratic senators, much of the congressional delegation and the city council of Virginia Beach, off which much of the development would take place-understand that offshore leasing... more »

Another voice in the news can be added to the list of those favoring increased access to our nation's offshore oil and natural gas resources. Last week, a Florida Sun-Sentinel op-ed authored by Dave Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, discussed the new jobs, increased revenues, and energy security that offshore energy development could bring to the nation and the state of Florida--all with minimal impact to the surrounding environment.

Mica says:

"Through advanced technology, the oil and natural gas industry has reduced its environmental footprint, minimizing the impact on ecosystems and wildlife. The industry finds, develops and delivers oil and natural gas while leaving the Earth nearly untouched -- a fact all Americans need to remember. With these technological de... more »