Energy Tomorrow Blog
API Opposes Government Intervention in Response to Market Downturn
crude markets us energy security opec trade
Sam Winstel
Posted March 25, 2020
There seems to be no shortage of flawed ideas in response to ongoing crude oil market instability.
Last week, a U.S. senator asked the Commerce Department to impose tariffs on imported crude oil, and a Texas state energy regulator called for statewide oil production quotas – isolating measures that don’t serve the interests of American consumers and don’t help our industry do its job of supplying the country with needed energy.
Energy Industry Preparedness & Response to COVID-19
safe operations fuel supply workforce
Sam Winstel
Posted March 20, 2020
As the world copes with a mounting health and economic crisis, America’s natural gas and oil industry remains focused on preserving the health and safety of its workers and delivering critical energy supplies to communities across the country. As an industry, we are committed to operating safely and reliably despite the unpredictable circumstances, implementing contingency plans that ensure the continuity of fuels to market.
These were points of emphasis by emergency preparedness experts at leading energy trade associations during a joint press conference this week that detailed industry readiness and response during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (listen here).
Fracking Ban Could Hamstring Important Energy Producing States
hydraulic fracturing fracking economic losses job losses
Sam Winstel
Posted March 2, 2020
The U.S. is the world’s leading producer of natural gas and oil, and a net exporter of total energy, but unrealistic policy proposals could put America’s progress is at risk. A nationwide ban on hydraulic fracturing and federal natural gas and oil leasing could erase a generation of industry growth and innovation, according to API’s latest economic analysis, and several U.S. states are in the crosshairs.
Modern hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – has delivered widespread economic and environmental progress. But per API’s report, a fracking ban could result in the loss of $7.1 trillion in cumulative GDP and millions of jobs by 2030 and could trigger a U.S. recession.
Natural Gas Continues to Drive Down CO2 Emissions
natural gas emission reductions electricity coal
Sam Winstel
Posted February 28, 2020
Some welcome news from the International Energy Agency (IEA) this month on global carbon dioxide emissions. IEA’s report finds that global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions flattened in 2019 – even as the world economy expanded by 2.9% – in large part due to the increased use of natural gas. And closer to home, the news gets even better. The U.S. recorded the largest emissions decline of any country, down 140 million tons (Mt) from the previous year.
NEPA Reform Needed to Improve Local Infrastructure
environmental review infrastructure permit delays
Sam Winstel
Posted February 24, 2020
The nation’s infrastructure needs some love.
To reverse the deteriorating state of the U.S. transportation, communication and energy supply networks – which recently earned a D+ from the American Society of Civil Engineers – we need a national commitment to more purposefully and efficiently get important projects off the drawing board and into development. Without it, America’s ability to compete in the 21st-century economy will be hindered.
As we’ve discussed (here and here), proposed reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) are critical to accelerating much-needed infrastructure improvements in every state and, in turn, creating good-paying jobs and spurring economic growth. Review processes under NEPA – which was last updated in 1978 – have significantly impeded infrastructure progress, delaying projects for years and years.
Natural Gas Severance Tax Punishes Pennsylvanians
pennsylvania severance tax natural gas production
Sam Winstel
Posted February 18, 2020
Another year, another punitive natural gas tax proposal from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, his sixth bid for a severance tax in six years.
We say “punitive,” because Wolf’s tax hike would effectively punish an industry that has been good for Pennsylvania, contributing $1.7 billion in impact fees since 2012 while boosting the commonwealth’s economy and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.
For NEPA Reform in Colorado & Across the U.S.
environmental review infrastructure colorado pipeline expansion
Sam Winstel
Posted February 12, 2020
You won’t find better examples of how the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has blocked much-needed infrastructure than in Colorado – where the first of two public hearings on implementing the regulation was held this week.
Numerous projects in Colorado have been – or are currently – on-hold due to NEPA reviews, including the Interstate-70 widening near Denver that will deliver much-needed safety and capacity improvements for drivers. The Environmental Impact Statement for this highway took 13 years to complete and totaled nearly 16,000 pages, finally receiving construction approval in 2017.
Policies to Support American Energy Leadership
state of the union american energy Energy Security
Sam Winstel
Posted February 6, 2020
During this week’s State of the Union address, President Trump kept with the decades-long tradition – and agreed with each of his six predecessors – by acknowledging the economic importance of domestic natural gas and oil production and outlining the policy pathways to a stronger energy future. The president noted that the U.S. has become the No. 1 producer of natural gas and oil anywhere in the world, by far, and that energy jobs are a record high.
Today, America is not only the world’s leading energy producer, for the first time in nearly 60 years, the U.S. is also a net exporter of total energy. As recently as 2009, energy imports represented 44% of the national trade deficit, but dropped to 5.2% in 2018 and then 1.2% in the first 10 months of 2019.
Rising Energy Revenues Boost State Budgets in Texas and New Mexico
energy development revenues permian basin texas new mexico
Sam Winstel
Posted January 29, 2020
The U.S. shale revolution keeps rolling, and with it strong support for state and public priorities. Texas and New Mexico each achieved record highs for industry contributions to statewide revenues and royalties, according to new reports from the Texas Oil and Gas Association (TXOGA) and the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA).
In 2019, America’s natural gas and oil industry posted a record-setting year in terms of production and exports. And last fiscal year, energy operators paid billions of dollars in state and local taxes that fund education, infrastructure and healthcare facilities for residents across the southwestern U.S.
SOAE 2020: This is Red Wing
minnesota american energy oil and natural gas development
Sam Winstel
Posted January 22, 2020
American energy abundance has been foundational to growth and opportunity across all business sectors – from agriculture and manufacturing, to logistics and banking. The natural gas and oil industry, and its extensive supply chain, supports job creation and consumer savings in U.S. communities like Red Wing, Minnesota.
API’s State of American Energy report spotlighted Southeastern Minnesota, where residents are experiencing the unique benefits of the U.S. energy revolution.