Energy Tomorrow Blog
Lizards, Energy and Effective Habitat Protection
endangered species act conservation texas new mexico oil and natural gas
Mark Green
Posted May 11, 2018
Protecting the environment is a core industry value. The environment belongs to everyone, and our companies and their employees are committed to producing natural gas and oil as safely as possible. This commitment includes preserving habitat and looking out for wildlife.
In this 2016 post and this post earlier this year, API colleague Kate Wallace detailed how companies have monitored elk populations in Wyoming and polar bears in Alaska, created artificial reefs off the Gulf Coast, developed pollinator gardens and bee sanctuaries and more. Companies also worked across five western states to create conservation areas for the lesser prairie chicken and preserve habitat for the sage-grouse. Our commitment is backed up by action.
That’s why we’re optimistic a constructive and comprehensive plan can be crafted to take care of the dunes sagebrush lizard in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico while also maintaining critically important natural gas and oil production in the region – which would be unlikely if a new effort to list the lizard as endangered under federal law succeeds.Ending NAFTA Investor Protections Will Harm U.S. Energy Security
trade investments canada mexico
Mark Green
Posted May 8, 2018
There’s no denying that North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been very good for U.S. energy over the years. Yet, whether we will be able to say the same about NAFTA 2.0 years down the road is an open question.
That’s because the Trump administration has signaled a key NAFTA provision safeguarding U.S. energy investments in Canada and Mexico shouldn’t be included in a revised agreement. It’s an outcome that would be a significant setback for our energy and security interests.
Videos: NAFTA Supports U.S. Jobs, Security
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Mark Green
Posted May 3, 2018
More on NAFTA – the North American Free Trade Agreement – which U.S., Canadian and Mexican negotiators are working to modernize.
Critically important to U.S. interests in any NAFTA 2.0 is keeping investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) protections in the deal so that American investments and American property are protected against unfair treatment by host nation governments. ISDS is fundamental to this, which supports continuing U.S. investment in natural gas and oil projects outside this country. That, in turn, is fundamental to U.S. energy and national security. A couple of new videos underscore those points.
Gulf Lease Sale Good, But We Need to Explore New Areas
offshore leasing plan gulf of mexico us energy security economic benefits access
Mark Green
Posted May 2, 2018
The most recent federal Gulf of Mexico oil and natural gas lease sale was described in some media reports as “disappointing,” “modest” and “tepid.” But there’s another, more positive way to look at it.
First, every offshore lease sale the federal government holds is welcome by industry, because each represents new opportunity for the market to work as it should – with companies making investment decisions based on the potential for significant natural gas and oil production.
A more important point underscored with the Gulf sale is one we’ve been making for some time – that the federal government needs to make available new offshore areas for study, research, exploration and development.
Keep NAFTA’s ISDS Protections for U.S. Investors
trade canada mexico us energy consumers jobs investments
Mark Green
Posted October 10, 2017
With talks between the U.S., Canada and Mexico on modernizing NAFTA heading for a fourth round this week, our negotiators can help ensure the global competitiveness of U.S. energy companies by working to retain strong protections for U.S. investments abroad through the agreement’s investment protections and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provision.
ISDS sounds a little wonky, but its basic mission is pretty straightforward: It helps protect U.S. investors from being treated unfairly by host nation governments. Conversely, there’s potential jeopardy if the U.S. allows ISDS to be weakened or removed in the current talks. It could undermine ISDS provisions globally in other treaties and agreements.Broad Business, Industry Support for NAFTA and Free Trade
trade mexico canada oil and natural gas petroleum products
Mark Green
Posted September 22, 2017
U.S. businesses and industries continue to press the case for preserving and strengthening NAFTA provisions that have supported U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico. A number of business and industry sectors joined an API-hosted conference call with reporters to underscore the need for ongoing negotiations between the U.S., Canada and Mexico to sustain treaty features that foster North American trade, including North American energy integration.
Go For ‘Robust’ in New Offshore Leasing Program
offshore leasing offshore energy safe operations us energy security eastern gulf of mexico atlantic ocs spill
Mark Green
Posted August 18, 2017
Here’s the case for expanded opportunity within a new offshore oil and natural gas leasing program that federal officials are assembling: Safely developing American oil and natural gas on the outer continental shelf (OCS) is vital to the United States’ long-term energy and national security; we need new access to offshore areas, such as the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Including them in the federal five-year plan will allow surveying to determine the location and size of oil and gas reserves; safe oil and natural gas production on the OCS could significantly boost local, regional and state economies; and advanced technologies, strong industry standards and a robust regulatory system work effectively together to protect workers, communities and the environment.
Keep NAFTA’s Support for North American Energy
trade canada oil and natural gas mexico economic growth us energy security
Mark Green
Posted June 22, 2017
Ordering Up Increased Offshore Access
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Mark Green
Posted April 28, 2017
API, CAPP, and AMEXHI committed to strong North American energy alliance
canada consumers economic policy Energy Security energy policy mexico
Brooke Sammon
Posted April 24, 2017
The North American energy flows continue to grow and the U.S. is building even stronger energy ties with its closest neighbors – Canada and Mexico. This week, API met with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and the Mexican Association of Hydrocarbon Companies (AMEXHI) to discuss priorities and policies that would foster this North American energy alliance.