Energy Tomorrow Blog
Energy, the Common Ground for Our Union
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Mark Green
Posted February 6, 2019
Tuesday night’s State of the Union message was aimed at Washington finding common ground to work for the American people. President Trump said policymakers should embrace the “boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good.” It struck a chord; more than seven in 10 Americans said they liked the speech’s approach and tone.
The challenge now is to move beyond rhetorical flourishes to action. Think: energy. In the quest for the common ground to do the common good, lawmakers can start with energy.
Energy is America’s strong suit.Energy Makes State of Our Union Strong
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Mark Green
Posted January 31, 2018
The Imperative of the U.S. Energy Trade [R]evolution
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Dean Foreman
Posted January 30, 2018
For the first installment of my API Chart of the Month series, let’s look at a pair of charts that show the strengthening of U.S. trade positions for petroleum – crude oil and refined products – and natural gas – supported by trade pacts such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This is especially timely given the possibility trade will come up during tonight’s State of the Union address.
Keep U.S. Energy Gains Going
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Mark Green
Posted January 29, 2018
U.S. Energy Revolution Missing in State of the Union
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Jack Gerard
Posted January 21, 2016
“Gas under two bucks a gallon ain’t bad, either,” he continued.
The New York Times was quick with a rebuttal, writing: “Private oil and gas companies, however, were a driving force behind the most important changes in the United States’ energy landscape over the past seven years: lower fossil fuel emissions and a reduction in dependence on imported oil. … A glut of domestic oil has helped lower prices and imports. The new supply of domestic natural gas has helped lower greenhouse gas emissions. Electric utilities have traditionally relied on coal as the cheapest fuel source, but turned to natural gas as it became cheaper.”
Natural Gas for Energy, Economy and the Environment
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Mark Green
Posted January 12, 2016
During his last State of the Union address, President Obama could declare victory – an energy victory that has seen surging domestic production, lower consumer costs, economic growth and environmental progress, all happening together, on his watch. The president can say this U.S. model is winning the day, because it is. He should say this model is exportable to the world, because it is.
Fact: The U.S. is the world’s No. 1 producer of oil and natural gas. The domestic revolution in the production of oil and gas has reduced net oil imports and positioned the U.S. to claim its place as a major player in global energy markets. At the same time, the U.S. is leading the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Fact: Affordable natural gas – the average price at the national benchmark Henry Hub in 2015 was the lowest since 1999 – is largely the reason wholesale electricity prices at major trading hubs (on a monthly average for on-peak hours) were down 27 percent to 37 percent across the U.S. last year compared to 2014. That’s a real benefit for consumers.
Fact: Natural gas is winning in the marketplace. This is reflected in data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showing the change in annual U.S. energy consumption by fuel source over the past decade.
These are all characteristics of the U.S. model, a market-driven model for energy growth, consumer benefits and climate progress. The president can own it. We wouldn’t mind a bit.
Energy Rhetoric vs. Action
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Mark Green
Posted January 21, 2015
In a State of the Union address that mostly skimmed over energy issues – remarkable, given the generational opportunities stemming from America’s ongoing energy revolution – President Obama still underscored the yawning disconnect between his all-of-the-above energy rhetoric and his administration’s failure to put that rhetoric into action.
Talking about the need for infrastructure investment, the president said:
“Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let’s set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. Let’s pass a bipartisan ... infrastructure plan that could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year and make this country stronger for decades to come. Let’s do it. Let’s get it done.”
We agree. America’s infrastructure needs are greater than a single oil pipeline – the political football known as the Keystone XL – which the president has been punting around for more than six years.
But there’s no good reason, no good excuse, for not making the Keystone XL pipeline Job No. 1 in a procession of infrastructure projects. President Obama hasn’t offered any beyond calling “temporary” the 42,100 jobs the U.S. State Department has said Keystone XL would support. Yet, those jobs are no more temporary than the ones that would be supported by building bridges, roads and other projects the president routinely cites.
That’s the disconnect between what President Obama peddles in speeches to Congress and around the country – and what his administration is doing.
The State of American Energy is Strong
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Mary Schaper
Posted January 21, 2015
On Energy, Oil and Natural Gas – Time to Follow Through
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Mark Green
Posted February 13, 2013
President Obama’s State of the Union message clearly indicated he understands the role domestic oil and natural gas development can play in creating jobs and lifting the economy. Now, will he act? Will he do things to help foster an array of benefits the oil and natural gas industry can provide our country? Let’s go over what we heard Tuesday night.
The Deficit
The president: “Our work must begin by making some basic decisions about our budget – decisions that will have a huge impact on the strength of our recovery. … We are more than halfway towards the goal of $4 trillion in deficit reduction that economists say we need to stabilize our finances. Now we need to finish the job. And the question is, how?"
State of the Union: The Thinking Game
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Mark Green
Posted February 12, 2013
OK, so here’s the deal: Seldom is the annual State of the Union message going to be confused with the Gettysburg Address for lyric quality. Historically, presidents use the speech to set out detailed policy agendas. As listeners seek focus during an oration that might stretch an hour or more, we’re here to help.