Under President Obama’s second term, energy industry officials and analysts are keen on the Administration’s priorities for the energy sector, envisioning regulatory reforms and policies to advance the nation’s energy and economic security. Key areas to watch include Keystone XL Pipeline talks, recognizing the primacy of states in regulating oil and natural gas development, and…...
Sequestration refers to a package of automatic $1.2 trillion across-the-board spending cuts that is a part of the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA), passed in August 2011. The spending cuts would affect some 1200 government programs, including those that fund energy research and development initiatives. The cuts are scheduled to begin on January 2, 2013…...
On November 13, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to issue its decision on whether or not to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2012-2013. Waiving the RFS could reduce demand for the crops used to make biofuels, potentially offsetting some of the impacts of this year’s drought and reducing crop prices…...
The 112th Congress recessed for the 2012 elections in late September and is expected to return for official business on November 13 for the remainder of the year. Several energy- related issues that have been contested during the presidential campaign will be affected by lawmaker action — or inaction — when Congress reconvenes. During this…...