Energy Tomorrow Blog

The Un-Energy Bill

domestic access  energy policy  leasing  over regulation  legislation  energy resources 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 17, 2009

The Committee on Natural Resources in the U.S. House of Representatives held a hearing today on a proposal called the Consolidated Land, Energy and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009. While it's often referred to as an energy bill, it's actually an Un-Energy bill. 

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Economic Hope on the Horizon

demand  distribution  energy  gasoline 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 16, 2009

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke yesterday proclaimed that the recession appears to be ending. He based his comments in part on new data showing that consumer spending in August hit its highest level in three years. 

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Terminating Royalty-in-Kind

energy  energy policy  revenue  royalties  royalty-in-kind 

Mark Green
Posted September 16, 2009

Today, U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced that he would terminate the Royalty-in-Kind (RIK) program, which collected $6.6 billion in oil and gas deliveries in fiscal 2008, and is one of the government's largest sources of non-tax revenue. The program is an effective means of ensuring that the American people receive fair compensation for development of federal resources.

Terminating this straight-forward method of handling royalty payments runs the risk of raising administrative costs and adding additional layers of paperwork required to determine the value of oil and gas production. The Minerals Management Service itself noted administrative efficiencies brought on by the program, and pointed out that another benefit of RIK is the reduction in costly lawsuits tied to product valuation.

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An Energy Partnership with Canada

canada  domestic energy  energy  energy policy  oil sands  revenue 

Mark Green
Posted September 16, 2009

This week, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will visit the United States, and high on the agenda in discussions with President Obama should be our country's energy partnership with Canada.

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Energy Tomorrow Radio: Episode 89 - Energy Citizens Across America

energy citizens  over regulation  waxman-markey 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 16, 2009

This week's episode tells the story of the Energy Citizens rallies, which provided concerned Americans the opportunity to voice their opinions on the Waxman-Markey climate bill. The series of 20 rallies held across America gave people from all walks of life the chance to let their representatives in Washington know they need to protect jobs and support responsible energy legislation.

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Climate Legislation and Higher Prices in Your State

climate change  congress  energy  energy policy  over regulation  prices  waxman-markey 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 15, 2009

In this blog, I've discussed a Heritage Foundation study that finds gasoline prices would increase significantly in order to meet emissions limits imposed by the Waxman-Markey legislation.

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Editorial: "Who Was Masquerading?"

energy  energy citizens  energy policy 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 14, 2009

An editorial from today's Oil & Gas Journal makes an important observation at a time when Congress is poised to enact wide-ranging energy and climate change laws. The editorial notes, "...affiliation with the oil and gas industry discredits whatever a person might say on the subject of energy." The author argues that this tactic muffles the industry's political voice and expertise and exposes the United States to costly mistakes on energy.

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The California Lab

domestic energy  over regulation  prices 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 14, 2009

If you're looking for a laboratory where environmental and energy policy is being tested, look west toward California. Over the past several years, California's elected officials have enacted some of the strongest requirements to curb air pollution, create its own recipe for gasoline and transition to a new form of diesel fuel earlier than anywhere else in the country.

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Yesterday on the Hill

congress  domestic energy  energy  energy costs  energy policy  obama  taxes 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 11, 2009

Yesterday, API Chairman J. Larry Nichols told Congress that the Obama administration's $80 billion tax increase on America's oil and natural gas industry is based on myths and would result in less oil and natural gas for consumers, higher energy costs and kill jobs at a time when the nation's economy needs all the help it can get.

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Increased Access = MORE Jobs, Revenue

access  domestic energy  energy policy 

Jane Van Ryan
Posted September 10, 2009

Back in February, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that he was extending the public comment period for the Draft Proposed Program on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy development. The comment period ends right around the corner--September 21, 2009--and at this time the Minerals Management Service (MMS) will analyze comments and make recommendations.

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