Energy Tomorrow Blog
Yes, Keystone XL is in the National Interest
keystone xl pipeline economic benefits jobs creation president obama canadian oil sands bakken shale trade infrastructure senate congress
Mark Green
Posted January 31, 2015
The long trail of “process” excuses for not approving the Keystone XL pipeline is coming to an end.
Five U.S. State Department reviews – all of them basically saying Keystone XL won’t significantly affect the environment – done.
Public hearings – done.
A new pipeline route through Nebraska – done.
By Monday, federal agencies must weigh in on whether Keystone XL is in the national interest. It is, as we’ll get into below.
The point is, after more than six years of process and review by the White House, we’ve come to the end of the processing and the reviewing. The administration stretched to 76 months a pipeline approval process that typically takes 18 to 24 months. It turned Keystone XL into a political football, punted here and there for reasons that clearly weren’t in the national interest.
Revisiting Energy and Taxes
tax rates intangible drilling costs cost recovery investment jobs creation economic growth
Mark Green
Posted August 6, 2014
America’s oil and natural gas industry sends an average of $85 million a day to the federal government in the form of taxes, rents, royalties and bonus payments. Averaged over 2007-2012, the industry’s effective tax rate – income taxes paid to governments, divided by pretax income – was 44.6 percent. That’s well above the averages for other industries over the same time period.
We say all that to say this: Attacks that claim the oil and natural gas industry isn’t paying its fair share and/or that it gets special treatment are ridiculous. Industry is paying its fair share and then some – even as it supports 9.8 million jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.
On U.S. Natural Gas Exports, No False Choices
lng exports liquefied natural gas economic growth jobs creation manufacturing hydraulic fracturing energy department
Mark Green
Posted March 21, 2014
The Huntsman Corporation’s Peter Huntsman has this op-ed in USA Today that invokes a poll in which people were asked to respond to these statements:
Some say that exporting American natural gas to other countries will increase economic growth, keep thousands employed, and help increase domestic production of natural gas. Others say that American natural gas should be used here at home, where it can lead to thousands of new manufacturing jobs, grow the entire American economy, and keep prices of natural gas affordable. Which comes closest to your view?
Actually, it’s a false choice, a little bit of opinion polling flim-flammery. We can have both – as careful, scholarly research (see here and here) has shown. We have ample natural gas reserves to supply the needs here at home as well as those of friendly overseas buyers.
An Energy, Jobs, Security and Growth Agenda
energy development keystone xl pipeline jobs creation economic growth access fracking energy exports renewable fuel standard
Mark Green
Posted January 27, 2014
Indications are that President Obama’s State of the Union message tomorrow night will key in on making 2014 a “year of action” to create jobs and grow the economy, which he addressed earlier this month in one of his weekly radio addresses:
“… we’ve got to keep our economy growing, and make sure more Americans have the opportunity to share in that growth. We’ve got to keep creating jobs that offer new opportunity, and make sure those jobs offer the wages and benefits that let you rebuild some security. … This will be a year of action. I’ll keep doing everything I can to create new jobs and new opportunities for American families – with Congress, on my own, and with everyone willing to play their part.”
America’s oil and natural industry is ready to play a part in an action agenda that helps advance a number of the president’s goals, including job creation, economic growth, income inequality, environmental protection and energy security.
Energy is an Economic Dynamo
economic impacts jobs creation drilling oil and natural gas development cost of energy
Mark Green
Posted December 23, 2013
Every now and then we see items questioning the economic impact of domestic oil and natural gas development from a jobs standpoint. As we’ve pointed out, industry’s benefit to the country isn’t measured just in direct oil and natural gas employment. Its positive impact must be seen in jobs and economic activity that otherwise wouldn’t exist, as well as benefits to consumers. More supporting evidence:
Investment – A new API survey on drilling costs found that about $153.7 billion was invested in drilling in 2012, a 23.1 percent increase over 2011.
Have a High-Energy Halloween!
job growth jobs creation domestic energy development pipeline construction
Mark Green
Posted October 31, 2013
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween! And, thanks to America’s enormous wealth of oil, natural gas and other energy sources, plus investment and ingenuity supplied by the oil and natural gas industry, it is a high-energy Halloween. No tricks, just treats.
Nebraska Clears Way for Keystone XL
keystone xl keystone pipeline jobs creation energy policy downstream
Mark Green
Posted January 22, 2013
The decision by Nebraska’s governor to OK a new route through his state for the Keystone XL pipeline is based on a factual assessment of the project’s safety, as well as the economic benefits that would accrue.