Energy Today - June 21, 2011
Rayola Dougher
Posted June 21, 2011
The Billings Gazette: Pipeline would Boost Eastern Montana Economy: Eastern Montana's economy will receive a much-needed boost from the building of and ramping up to the Keystone XL pipeline. The approval process is currently being held up by concerns from the federal government agencies with concerns expressed by environmental groups about the effects on air quality standards by greenhouse gas emissions. The Obama administration, the State Department and the Environmental Protection Agency all have delayed final approval of the Keystone XL pipeline, which could export as much as 500,000 barrels of additional crude oil into the U.S. by the end of 2013. The proposed Keystone XL pipeline allows Bakken and Three Forks oil shale production to ramp up in addition to the crude oil being shipped from Saskatchewan, Canada, through Eastern Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, ending up at the major crude oil terminal hub of Cushing, Okla. New York Post: Keeping the Jobs Promise to Upstate: Why then is the governor not working to lift the state's moratorium on "fracking" -- which has the potential to unlock vast quantities of natural gas Upstate, creating thousands of jobs where New York needs them most?...While New York "studies" the issue, Pennsylvania and other states are reaping the rewards. A recent Manhattan Institute study -- authored by Tim Considine, an energy economist at the University of Wyoming, and Robert Watson, chairman of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board -- estimates that if New York followed Pennsylvania's lead and dropped its drilling moratorium, the economic benefits could be enormous. By 2015, the state could enjoy $1.7 billion in added economic activity, 16,000 more jobs and $214 million in extra tax revenue if its natural gas reserves were developed. From 2011 to 2020, New York could gain $11.4 billion in economic output, 90,000 to 108,000 new jobs and $1.4 billion in tax revenues
ExxonMobil Perspectives: Facts on the Hydraulic Fracturing Process: While public discussion is focused on the safety of hydraulic fracturing, those of us in the energy industry remain focused on making sure every step of the process - from set-up to drilling to fracturing to producing - is conducted safely and responsibly. The industry has used hydraulic fracturing on more than 1 million wells over the course of 60 years. And we don't count on a successful track record alone; we rigorously implement safety and environmental plans at every site and seek continuous improvements. Unfortunately, the facts on hydraulic fracturing have been overshadowed by inaccurate accounts of natural gas production - the documentary GasLand is just one example (take a look at Energy In Depth's debunking of the claims made in this film). So moving forward, what do we need to do to have a rational discussion about natural gas development, including hydraulic fracturing? Those of us in the industry can help by explaining what we do and how we do it safely - in terms that everyone can understand. Those in local, state and federal governments can help by creating sound policies based on scientific study and fact, not unfounded claims. And, the American public can help by looking at all sides of the debate and insisting on a facts-based discussion.
Additional Resources:
Oil & Gas Journal: DOI's Permitting Problems Unresolved, API Official Charges