OIL
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia represent the three highest natural gas producing states in the Marcellus Shale Region. While state legislation has complimented production levels, increased local scrutiny over industry methods could impact future production. Overview The Marcellus Shale Region is rich in natural gas reserves and underlies southern New York, much of Pennsylvania and…...
President Obama has ordered a comprehensive energy strategy review to ensure federal policies continue to address changing energy requirements. On January 9, 2014, President Obama signed a memorandum establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) to enhance the federal government’s capability to provide a comprehensive and integrated energy strategy to meet challenges posed by rising energy…...
An EIA report highlights that 2013 U.S. crude oil production reached its highest level in 24 years, contributing to global oil price stability. On January 9, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report showing that U.S. crude oil production witnessed a record annual growth of 1.0 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2013,…...
Governor Cuomo’s 2014 State of the State agenda includes new clean energy and climate initiatives with a grid resiliency and distributed generation focus. In his State of the State (SOS) address on January 8, 2014, New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo reaffirmed his commitment to clean energy, proposing significant initiatives to address energy and…...
An EIA report shows that Pennsylvania is the fastest growing natural gas producing state, advancing from seventh to third rank between 2011 and 2012. On December 17, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report highlighting significant progress in Pennsylvania’s marketed natural gas production, which increased by 72 percent from 2011-2012. The report draws…...
EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projects a 56 percent increase in natural gas production by 2040, overtaking coal as the largest share of U.S. electric power generation. On December 16, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the AEO 2014 Early Release Overview presenting updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2040. The AEO…...
In November, three Colorado cities approved hydraulic fracturing bans, and the state is now proposing new regulations governing methane emissions from oil and gas development. Overview In November 2013, the cities of Boulder, Broomfield, and Fort Collins each approved a five-year moratorium on the natural gas extraction method of hydraulic fracturing. At the same time,…...
Oil and gas industry groups have expressed disapproval of a Senate tax-reform draft citing proposals that would deter domestic investment and job creation. On December 13, 2013, a group of 14 oil and gas trade groups led by the American Petroleum Institute (API) sent a letter to Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), stating that…...
DOE has released an $8B loan guarantee solicitation to finance innovative and advanced fossil energy projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On December 12, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) launched its $8B loan guarantee program, soliciting applications to finance projects that employ innovative or significantly improved fossil energy technologies, such as advanced resource development,…...
EPA’s annual report on average fuel economy shows that MY 2012 vehicles achieved record-high fuel economy and record-low carbon emissions. On December 12, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its annual report on average fuel economy, emissions, and powertrain technology of new U.S. personal vehicles, including passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans, pickup…...
A new study finds that U.S. methane emissions are highly underestimated by current studies. A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on November 25, 2013 found that U.S. methane emissions could be 50 percent higher than current estimates. Specifically, nationwide anthropogenic methane emissions are likely to be 1.5 times…...
The House has passed a bill aimed to expedite federal review of natural gas pipeline permit applications. On November 21, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Natural Gas Pipeline Permitting Reform Act (H.R. 1900), a bipartisan legislation aimed to expedite review of licenses, permits, and approvals pertinent to siting, construction, expansion, and operation…...