Energy Tomorrow Blog
Benefits of U.S. Natural Gas are Out of This World
Jessica Lutz
Posted February 14, 2020
We’ve talked at length about the domestic benefits of natural gas – for families, communities, the environment and national security, just to name a few – but today we’re looking beyond the emissions reductions, economic growth and energy resiliency afforded by this abundant domestic resource. More specifically … to infinity and beyond!
NASA recently unveiled 16 scientific experiments and technology demonstrations that will hitch a ride to the moon in July 2021, half of which will be launched on ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket clad with Jeff Bezos’ BE-4 rocket engines – fueled with liquefied natural gas (LNG).
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.
SOAE 2020: This is Lansing
economic growth michigan state of american energy oil and natural gas development
Mark Green
Posted February 11, 2020
Lansing, Michigan, has come a long way since the days of high unemployment and general malaise, when people joked that the last person to leave Michigan should turn out the lights. Today, Lansing is on the rise – one of many communities across the country that have been helped by the empowering nature of abundant U.S. natural gas and oil (see API’s 2020 State of American Energy report).
Lansing is home to new auto manufacturing plants, and the municipal utility, Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL), is replacing the last of its coal-fired generation facilities with a $500 million natural gas-fueled power plant.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.
EIA’s Outlook: Natural Gas and Oil Remain Integral to U.S.
eia forecast economic growth oil and natural gas production us energy security
Mark Green
Posted February 5, 2020
The federal government’s latest energy projections are out, and they portray a U.S. energy future that continues to be driven by natural gas and oil.
It’s a future noteworthy for continued production growth, greater efficiency, the U.S. as a net energy exporter and emissions progress. All are connected in various ways to shale reserves and safe, modern hydraulic fracturing – and at risk if fracking were banned as some have advocated.
Americans understand how far the United States has come in the past decade and a half, thanks to shale and hydraulic fracturing, helping advance the goal voiced by U.S. presidents since Jimmy Carter of seeing this country end its reliance on foreign energy. Indeed, in December the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) confirmed the United States as a net exporter of energy in total for the first time since the 1950s. This is an historic sign of new U.S. global energy leadership, and it shouldn’t be thrown away with foolish policy choices.
American Energy Powers the State of the Union
state of the union american energy Energy Security
Mike Sommers
Posted February 4, 2020
For decades, American presidents across the political spectrum have outlined their policy proposals to Congress at the State of the Union. Ideologies come and go with each transition of power. But every president from Jimmy Carter to Donald Trump has agreed that affordable, reliable, and homegrown energy is essential to the country’s economic growth, national security, and overall prosperity.
Historically, U.S. energy policy was driven by our ambition to reduce dependence on foreign natural gas and oil, but times have thankfully changed. In 2020, the State of American Energy is one of domestic leadership in natural gas and oil production and progress toward global climate solutions.
SOAE 2020: This is Eau Claire
state of american energy oil and natural gas development wisconsin economic growth
Mark Green
Posted February 3, 2020
Energy – essential for growth and opportunity – is America’s strong suit, thanks to abundant domestic natural gas and oil. It’s a key driver in the national economy and also local economies, in places like Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
This is Energy Progress, the theme of API’s State of American Energy report. They’re living it in Eau Claire.
Largest, Most Competitive Natural Gas Market Benefits Consumers
natural gas consumers energy exports
Dean Foreman
Posted February 3, 2020
So far this year, U.S. natural gas prices at Henry Hub have made for the lowest January record in over 45 years, adjusted for consumer price inflation.
As of Jan. 29, the U.S. natural gas spot price at Henry Hub was $1.94 per million Btu – nearly 35% below the price of one year ago and 76% lower than in 2008.
In fact, we know from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that U.S. households saved an average of more than $120 per year on natural gas in 2018 compared with 2008. That’s $10 per month for more than 127,000,000 households – or $52 billion less spending on home and water heating.
What’s the Hold Up? On Key Infrastructure, Too Often It’s NEPA
infrastructure environmental review environmental impact statements
Mark Green
Posted January 30, 2020
Further down in this post take a look at just a few of the important U.S. infrastructure projects that have been held up by the review processes directed by the current National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
As noted in Sam Winstel’s post earlier this month, NEPA reform proposals recently offered by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) are sorely needed. Some of the projects below are not just years on hold, but decades. And NEPA affects all kinds of infrastructure development, not just our industry’s projects. House Democrats, who just unveiled a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure proposal this week, should take note.
CEQ proposals would improve NEPA permitting and approval processes on energy and other vital infrastructure projects while still ensuring the appropriate environmental assessments and protections are undertaken.
Best-in-Class Standards Improve Global Safety and Environmental Protection
api standards program mexico safety standards
John D. Siciliano
Posted January 29, 2020
The U.S. natural gas and oil industry’s commitment to safety and environmental protection standards is attracting respect and recognition worldwide, with many countries aiming to make API standards a key part of their future energy plans.
This week API, the International Association of Gas & Oil Producers (IOGP) and Mexico’s Asociación Mexicana de Empresas de Hidrocarburos (AMEXHI) signed a memorandum of understanding for enhanced coordination, joint forums on specific issues, the sharing of best practices and technical workshops.