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 oil and shale gas boom will not achieve U.S. energy security, according to senior military officials speaking at New York Energy Week. Instead, the shale boom could intensify national security problems if it leads away from investment in renewable energy development. Panelists who spoke at the Redefining U.S. Energy Security for the 21st Century…...
An industry economic analysis report estimates that BLM’s revised draft of regulations governing hydraulic fracturing on public lands would cost at least $345 million. On July 22, 2013, the Western Energy Alliance and the Independent Petroleum Association of America released an analysis of compliance costs of the Department of Interior’s (DOI) revised draft rule governing…...
NETL has stated nothing of concern has thus far been found for preliminary results of its ongoing hydraulic fracturing study at Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale. On July 19, 2013, the Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) released a preliminary statement of its ongoing hydraulic fracturing study at two Pennsylvania drilling sites. NETL stated that…...
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…...
BLM has approved a 234-mile natural gas pipeline to transport natural gas liquid products across New Mexico and to markets in Texas. On July 4, 2013, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved the construction and operation of the Western Expansion Pipeline Project III, a 234-mile natural gas pipeline from northwestern New Mexico to the…...
DOE has released a draft solicitation for advanced fossil energy projects that could be eligible for up to $8 billion in loan guarantees, as part of Obama’s Climate Action Plan. On July 2, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE) released a draft loan guarantee solicitation for advanced fossil energy development projects aimed to reduce greenhouse…...
President Obama’s second-term climate agenda includes sweeping measures to cut carbon emissions from power plants, boost renewable energy production, increase fuel economy standards, and advance international initiatives to combat climate change. On June 25, 2013, President Barack Obama outlined a comprehensive Climate Action Plan prioritizing measures to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to set a…...
WGA’s “10-Year Energy Vision” calls for collaborative interstate initiatives to achieve energy security by increasing energy production, improving energy efficiency, and expanding energy distribution infrastructure, among other energy goals. On June 28, 2013, the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) released the “10-Year Energy Vision,” a regional plan articulating the energy goals of 19 member states, American…...
The FRESH Act would grant states sole authority to oversee hydraulic fracturing operations on any lands within their borders and prevent duplicative federal regulations. On June 26, 2013, a group of 18 senators led by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the 2013 Fracturing Regulations are Effective…...