OIL
The overwhelming number of public comments to the recent Department of Interior (DOI) hydraulic fracturing rule is an indication of the increased role regulatory policy – and the rulemaking process – is playing in environmental policy during the second term. Overview A large number of industry representatives opposed the rule during the public comment period,…...
The overwhelming number of public comments to the recent Department of Interior (DOI) hydraulic fracturing rule is an indication of the increased role regulatory policy – and the rulemaking process – is playing in environmental policy during the second term. A large number of industry representatives opposed the rule during the public comment period, emphasizing…...
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement has proposed stricter standards for offshore oil and gas production systems to keep pace with evolving technologies. On August 21, 2013, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposed a rule to strengthen offshore oil and gas production systems in order to keep pace with industry advancements that…...
EIA data shows 40 percent growth in oil and gas industry employment from 2007 through 2012, compared to one percent growth in total private sector employment. On August 8, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report comparing job growth in the oil and gas industry with total private sector employment growth, drawing on…...
Lake Charles Exports, LLC becomes the third facility to obtain DOE authorization to export U.S. LNG to non-FTA countries. On August 7, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced conditional authorization of Lake Charles Exports (LCE), a jointly-owned subsidiary of BG Group and Southern Union Company, to export U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) to non-free…...
EPA’s revised 2012 VOC emissions standards for oil and natural gas storage tanks provides phased-in emission control deadlines, addressing higher-emitting tanks first and providing sufficient time to install controls. On August 5, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released final revisions to its 2012 New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions…...
The House Natural Resources Committee has advanced a bill aimed to protect states’ rights in regulating hydraulic fracturing and prevent duplicative federal regulations. On July 31, 2013, the House Natural Resources Committee approved the Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act (H.R. 2728) aimed to prevent duplicative federal and state hydraulic fracturing regulations…....
EIA projects a 56 percent growth in world energy consumption by 2040, driven by economic growth in emerging countries. Over its 2010-2040 projection period, renewables and nuclear are the fastest-growing sources, though fossil fuels continue to supply 80 percent of energy consumption. On July 25, 2013, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its 2013 International…...
At the Senate hearing on the FAIR Act, the DOI declined support for the bill, saying it lacks definite conservation or energy policy goals, would increase the federal deficit, and reduce return to taxpayers. At the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing held on July 23, 2013, the Department of Interior’s (DOI) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Budget,…...
The Energy Consumers Relief Act, approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, would prevent EPA from finalizing major energy-related rules without DOE approval. On July 17, 2013, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved three energy-related bills – H.R. 1582, H.R. 1900, and H.R. 83 – aimed to promote economic growth and energy…...
DOE released a report examining the impacts of climate change on the nation’s energy and electricity infrastructure, including an assessment of ongoing efforts and potential opportunities to improve the energy sector’s climate resilience. On July 11, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a report examining current and future impacts of climate change on…...
OPEC forecasts that demand for its crude will decline by 2.6% despite notable growth in global oil demand, citing U.S. production growth as a major projection driver. On July 10, 2013, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) released its 2014 oil market outlook, assessing OPEC’s performance in the global market. The report projects that…...