Energy Tomorrow Blog
Maryland and Fracking
maryland safe operations hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling fracking natural gas development shale energy tax revenues royalty payments lng exports
Mark Green
Posted December 2, 2014
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s recent announcement – that he plans to lift the state’s three-year moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, possibly clearing the way for future natural gas development – is potentially good news for the state, its citizens and America’s broader energy picture.
A new report by the state’s Department of the Environment and the Department of Natural Resources details some of the possible benefits:Garrett County in western Maryland could gain as many as 2,425 new jobs while realizing $3.6 million in tax revenues and $13.5 million in severance tax revenues.Neighboring Allegany County could see as many as 908 new jobs, $1.8 million in tax revenues and $2.3 million in severance tax revenues over 10 years. “Royalty payments to the owners and lessors of mineral rights could provide significant income,” the report says.
Significantly, the department concludes what a number of other states have found and are demonstrating – that advanced hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling to develop natural gas and oil from shale and other tight-rock formations can be conducted safely and efficiently.
Energy and Leadership
energy policies oil and natural gas development domestic production energy exports access regulation offshore drilling hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling
Mark Green
Posted December 1, 2014
There’s a new global energy order – with the United States at the hub. That’s the assessment in a number of articles following last week’s meeting of oil-exporting countries.
The benefits to America are manifold. The U.S. as global energy’s new center of gravity means economic strength here at home through jobs, consumer benefits and greater energy security, and the opportunity to project positive American values abroad – by impacting global markets as discussed above and by helping friends overseas through energy exports. All result from America’s energy revolution, built on safe development of oil and natural gas reserves from shale and other tight-rock with advanced hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.
Thankful For… American Energy
american energy oil and natural gas production shale energy hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling fracking crude oil exports gasoline prices
Mark Green
Posted November 27, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving everybody.
When it comes to energy there’s much for which Americans can give thanks.
We have plentiful and accessible reserves of oil and natural gas that fuel healthy, mobile, modern lifestyles.
We enjoy safe and secure crude oil imports from Canada, our neighbor and ally and No. 1 source of imported oil.
Our country is served by a vibrant, modern industry – one that’s second to none in the use of safe, hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, offshore development and environmental awareness.
America keeps running thanks to a vast pipeline network and the world’s biggest, most-efficient refineries. And there’s more.
The NY Times’ Hot Air on Methane
methane emissions epa regulation oil and natural gas development greenhouse gas emission reduction industry standards hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling
Mark Green
Posted November 26, 2014
The New York Times has an editorial urging Washington to regulate emissions of methane – no surprise as “The Gray Lady” has to uphold her “green” bonafides. But methane as an “overlooked” greenhouse gas, as the editorial’s headline states? Hardly.
While the Times may have just discovered methane, industry has been working to reduce emissions – and is succeeding, at a rate that casts doubt on the need for a new federal regulatory layer.
Finding the Balance on Fracking
safe operations energy development hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling federal lands natural gas exploration
Mark Green
Posted November 21, 2014
Credit the U.S. Forest Service for adopting a revised plan for the George Washington National Forest that will allow safe and responsible energy development using hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling.
As others said of the plan, science won out in the sense that hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling can be conducted safely while protecting the forest itself as well as the watershed within it.
The Popular Case for the Keystone XL Pipeline
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Mark Green
Posted November 14, 2014
The Fix (Washington Post): President Obama is fond of telling Congress that it should pass things with the overwhelming support of the American people, including (among other things) comprehensive immigration reform, increasing the minimum wage, and increasing gun background checks.
And yet, Obama could soon be in a position of vetoing something with a similar amount of support: the Keystone XL pipeline.
Poll after poll has shown support for Keystone is somewhere between very strong and overwhelming. A Pew Research Center survey this month showed support for the project at nearly two-to-one, 59 percent to 31 percent. And that was about the lowest level of support we've seen to date. Support has registered as high as two-thirds of Americans.
Shale Energy’s Consumer Benefits
shale energy lng exports fracking chemicals hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling natural gas pipelines
Mary Schaper
Posted November 12, 2014
EIA Today in Energy Blog: Increased natural gas production is projected to satisfy 60% to 80% of a potential increase in demand for added liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the Lower 48 states, according to recently released EIA analysis. The report, Effect of Increased Levels of Liquefied Natural Gas Exports on U.S. Energy Market, considered the long-term effects of several LNG export scenarios specified by the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy (FE). The study also considered implications for natural gas prices, consumption, primary energy use, and energy-related emissions. Effects on overall economic growth were positive but modest. A discussion of caveats and limitations of the analysis is also included.
And the Winner Is … Energy!
american energy oil and natural gas development economic growth job creation keystone xl pipeline shale energy hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling
Mark Green
Posted November 4, 2014
Even before Americans went to the polls Tuesday, it’s clear American-made energy is this year’s winner. You could see it in pre-election public opinion surveying showing overwhelming support for increased production of domestic oil and natural gas as a job creator (90 percent), a national priority (87 percent) and as a boon to consumers (79 percent).
Regardless of who wins the most seats in Congress, the nation’s leaders should view policy choices with the knowledge that Americans strongly believe the ongoing U.S. energy revolution is a catalyst for individual prosperity, overall economic growth and national security. API President and CEO Jack Gerard, in a guest post for The Hill:
It may take weeks and a few run-off elections to determine control of Congress. But the American people have already given the House and Senate a clear mandate: create jobs, boost the economy and advance America’s energy security through commonsense energy policies.
Here’s how we know this is true: As you look across the expanse of America, represented in the different state contests for the U.S. Senate, there’s broad bipartisan support for U.S. energy.
Nothing Spooky About U.S. Energy's Jobs, Strengthened Security
keystone xl pipeline construction oil production shale energy alaska texas hydraulic fracturing horizontal drilling
Mary Schaper
Posted October 31, 2014
Fox News:Why is the White House Delaying the Keystone XL Decision?
Read more: http://bit.ly/1pbMGbR
The Importance of Fracking
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Mark Green
Posted October 30, 2014
A new study details the essential tie between America’s ongoing energy revolution and advanced technologies of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling. Specifically, virtually every barrel of domestic oil production growth over the past five years can be attributed to fracking and horizontal drilling – which has positively impacted global crude markets and saved consumers billions of dollars.
Kyle Isakower, API vice president for regulatory and economic policy, discussed the ICF International study during a conference call. The study calculates the impact of safe fracking and horizontal drilling on crude markets and prices at the pump. Isakower:
“Economists are still debating where the markets might go from here. But for the average consumer, there’s no question that America’s energy revolution has provided a welcome source of savings. … By comparing historical price and production data against a scenario without advanced drilling, it paints a clear picture of where we would be without the technology-driven energy revolution.”
