Energy Today – April 15, 2013

The Hill – Energy Taxes Are No Budget Solution

Steve Forbes writes on The Hill’s Congress Blog that higher taxes on the oil and natural gas industry would cost jobs, lower energy production and actually reduce revenue to government over time. He cites a study showing that “a new tax on the industry would sacrifice 170,000 direct and indirect energy jobs by 2014.”

Houston Chronicle – It’s Wrong to Penalize the Oil and Natural Gas Industry

“Singling out our oil and natural gas industry for taxation penalizes producers,” writes the newspaper. “Bad guys? You mean the folks who employ our neighbors in good-paying jobs, contribute mightily to our tax base, civic life and sports and cultural/arts scenes? We don't think so.”

Star-Tribune – How Fracking Transforms Fortunes, Land

AP photographer Brennan Linsley’s gallery-style look at hydraulic fracturing operations in Rifle, Colo.

Washington Examiner – Fracking Revolution Slows Bid to Remake U.S. Energy Sector

Editorial writer Conn Carroll argues that the development of unconventional oil and natural gas through hydraulic fracturing is has blunted attempts by some to reshape the energy sector through Green energy. Some “make light of claims that the free market is perfectly capable of solving problems and creating wealth without government planning,” Carroll writes. “But that is exactly what fracking has done for the U.S. economy.”

Free Enterprise – No Mention of Keystone XL in President’s Budget

Sean Hackbarth writes that despite the call for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, the Keystone XL pipeline is not mentioned at all in the president’s 2014 budget proposal – despite analysis that has shown the project would  create jobs, generate revenue for government and would help the U.S. become more energy secure.