Energy Tomorrow Blog
Industry-Led Efforts Improve Pipeline Safety Performance
pipeline safety infrastructure industry standards
Sam Winstel
Posted May 18, 2020
America’s extensive network of pipelines and energy infrastructure safely connects our abundant natural gas and oil resources with refineries, businesses and consumers. The U.S. liquids pipeline system, which stretches more than 218,000 miles, delivered 21.8 billion barrels of crude oil and refined products in 2018 – the essential link between domestic energy and Americans’ daily lives.
The industry’s commitment to safety and sustainability, through industry-led reporting, standards-setting and performance initiatives, has contributed to ongoing improvements in pipeline operations. This month, API and our partner associations released two new reports that show declining pipeline-related incidents and continuous improvement in environmental performance – both enhanced by growing use of safety management systems.
Helping the Community
energy industry community supplies
Sam Winstel
Posted May 4, 2020
As everyone in government and the private sector works to contain the coronavirus, there’s no shortage of inspiring stories from the front lines of generosity and selflessness as Americans band together to meet the needs of their communities.
We’ve all heard about courageous medical professionals, first responders and essential workers – including grocery store employees, food service workers and delivery drivers – who are leading efforts to safeguard public health and meet priority needs. In this historic pandemic, they’re true American heroes.
Celebrating STEM Education, Empowering Solution Seekers
stem education workforce energy industry
Sam Winstel
Posted November 6, 2019
To mark National STEM Day this Friday, API and a group of partners are launching the STEM Careers Coalition that focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in the K-12 grades, with an emphasis on equity and access.
API, Discovery Education, Chevron, Boeing, Best Buy, The Manufacturing Institute, and Microsoft are committed to advancing the future of education through 2025 and beyond. The goal is to improve the learning experience for 10 million students in 5,000 schools nationwide – through direct investments in classrooms, connecting industry employees and students and creating an easily accessible career portal. Ultimately, the coalition will work to bridge the STEM workforce skills gap – which may leave 2.4 million positions unfilled between 2018-2028, according to the Manufacturing Institute.
For Public Health, Safe Operations in Colorado – And Everywhere
colorado safe operations industry standards regulation emission reductions
Mark Green
Posted October 18, 2019
There’s nothing more important to our industry than protecting health and safety – of our skilled workers and the communities where they are engaged in supplying Americans with affordable energy for every aspect of modern life and economic well-being.
As energy companies, we know that maintaining the public’s trust and the permission to operate hinge on our ability to work safely and responsibly – caring for the environment, reducing our footprint and continually improving technologies and operations to reduce emissions.
This is the context as we consider a new report on the potential public health effects of natural gas and oil operations by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), using 2015 data to model impacts.
Recognizing the Workforce this National Energy Awareness Month
workforce diversity stem energy industry
Sam Winstel
Posted October 15, 2019
Since 1991, October has served as National Energy Awareness Month, recognizing the importance of sustainable resource management and the dedication of the people who enable our energy economy. More recently, this also has highlighted the remarkable role of American resource abundance in strengthening the domestic economy and reducing our dependence on imported energy.
Given that the U.S. is the world’s leading natural gas and oil producer, and is expected to become a net exporter of total energy this year, the story of National Energy Awareness Month is now one of energy security and economic progress – powered, in large part, by innovation and an industrious and tech-savvy workforce.
Energy, Women and the Opportunity to Lead
women in energy industry oil and natural gas jobs
Megan Bloomgren
Posted March 9, 2019
To mark International Women’s Day, we have a new video featuring leading women from the natural gas and oil industry, including Susan Dio, chairman and president of BP America; Gretchen Watkins, president and U.S. country chair for Shell; and Stacey Nachbaur, Hess senior operations manager for upstream assets. Of course, the things these women say about the natural gas and oil industry are true every day of the year.
Our industry is high tech and critically important to the economy and powering modern life. Natural gas and oil are center stage in most geopolitical discussions, and natural gas is leading the way in reducing greenhouse emissions.
Industry Commitment to Regulatory Compliance Never Goes on Furlough
regulations safety standards government industry standards
Mark Green
Posted January 28, 2019
The reopening of the federal government is welcome news for everyone. As one of the country’s most regulated sectors, the natural gas and oil industry urged resolution, recognizing the important federal role in our nation’s energy sector – including infrastructure project review, issuing permits and other activities.
That said, we’ll point out that during the shutdown, industry operated safely and efficiently each and every day, providing the natural gas and oil that support economic expansion, deliver valuable benefits to consumers, strengthen U.S. security and help advance progress on climate and environmental goals.
Industry’s commitment to regulatory compliance was unaffected by the shutdown, including regulation by EPA, the Bureau of Land Management, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies – as well as state regulations.
Weighing In on EPA's Wastewater Study
water management recycled water epa industry standards
Reid Porter
Posted October 9, 2018
The Women of Industry: Continuing Positive Momentum
women in energy industry jobs workforce
Mark Green
Posted March 29, 2018
Women continue to advance in the natural gas and oil industry. Yes, there’s more progress to be made – and it will be made – yet, it’s clear the old narrative that our industry remains the realm of men is just so yesterday – yesteryear, really.
This week Royal Dutch Shell announced former Maersk Oil CEO Gretchen Watkins will become president of its North American operations. Last week, Susan Dio was named chairwoman and president of BP America. There are other recent examples, including Julie Robertson, president and CEO of Noble Corporation and Vicki Hollub, president and CEO of Occidental Petroleum.
Smarter, More Efficient Regulation for U.S. Energy
regulation offshore safety industry standards spill
Mark Green
Posted March 26, 2018
Let’s correct a false narrative out there, that the Trump Administration is rolling back natural gas and oil regulation to benefit industry. A different view is that federal officials are deploying smarter, more efficient, more effective regulation of industry operations, onshore and offshore – which will work best to ensure the safe and well-managed energy development America needs for economic growth and national security, today and well into the future.
By smart, efficient and effective regulation we mean clear, commonsense rules that take into account industry’s innovation, advanced technologies and experience, as well as its long, demonstrated commitment to establishing useful standards for operations, equipment and personnel. All of these have strengthened the culture of safety in our industry – particularly in its offshore activities.