Oil & Energy News
Reports on oil drilling, pipelines, and energy policy debates. Conservative analysis and commentary included from The Daily Signal.
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- News
US Poised to Shatter Records for Oil Production, Gas Exports
The U.S. is well on its way to becoming a net exporter of natural gas for the first time in decades after breaking an annual record for oil production, according to the latest government data. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects the U.S. to become a net natural gas exporter once it's compiled all the data for…Michael Bastasch -
- Opinion
Tax Reform Bill Would Give Back Alaskans Control of Their Energy Future
In a compromise tax reform package, Senate and House negotiators have agreed to include language to open Alaska’s coastal plain for energy exploration and production. If passed, the bill would finally give Alaskans more control over their energy future by opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The entire Arctic refuge comprises roughly 19 million acres…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Rather Than Drain Swamp, Rick Perry’s Proposal Would Pick Energy Winners and Losers
Picking winners and losers in the energy industry was a hallmark of the Obama administration. But it seems that pattern isn’t quite gone under Energy Secretary Rick Perry’s department. In late September, Perry directed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to develop new standards to set prices for “resiliency” in competitive electricity markets, giving them a…Katie Tubb -
- Opinion
Lebanese Leader Suspends Resignation as Rising Saudi-Iranian Tensions Roil Beirut
The intensifying Saudi-Iranian cold war is severely disrupting Lebanese politics. Lebanon’s prime minister, Saad Hariri, resigned suddenly on Nov. 4, blaming Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs and the internal threat posed by Hezbollah, Iran’s Lebanese Shiite surrogate. Hariri’s resignation speech was delivered from Saudi Arabia, which reportedly had pressured him to step down after summoning…James Phillips -
- Opinion
The Ethanol Mandate Promotes Swamp Dominance, Not Energy Dominance
Washington is known for political arm-twisting. There’s a good reason for that. It too often works, and it helps prop up bad policies like mandates to blend corn-based ethanol and other biofuels into our fuel supply. In September, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed cutting the volumetric requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard. The reductions were…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Tax Reform Bill Moves Closer to Free-Market Energy Policy
The GOP’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act makes a profound policy statement that is to be commended: The goal of the bill’s energy measures is “to move closer to a free-market energy agenda.” Free markets supply affordable energy, innovation, and a clean environment better than any heavy-handed regulatory approach to manipulate how people produce and…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Foiled Plot in Miami Is 99th Terror Plot Against US Since 9/11
The Department of Justice charged Vicente Adolfo Solano last week with attempting to use an explosive device at a Miami mall. Solano had pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. This case represents the 99th Islamist terrorism plot or attack against the U.S. homeland since 9/11. A confidential informant with the Drug…David Inserra -
- Opinion
Largest Oil and Gas Lease Sale in History a Major Win for US Energy
President Donald Trump has vowed to make the U.S. more energy dominant than ever, and the Interior Department took an important step toward that goal this week. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced on Tuesday that his department is proposing the largest oil and gas lease sale ever held in the United States. In March 2018,…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Foiled Terror Plot Raises Number of Plots, Attacks to 98 Since 9/11
The Justice Department unsealed criminal charges earlier this month against three men for plotting to attack New York City in 2016. The plotters were arrested at different times in 2016 and 2017, in different parts of the world. Since this plot occurred in the past and the first plotter was arrested in May of last…David Inserra -
- Opinion
New Bill Would Stop Energy Department From Risking Taxpayer Money
This week, Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, introduced the DOE Loan Program Repeal Act, which would prohibit the Department of Energy from offering new government-backed loan guarantees for energy projects. Weber’s bill would not only protect taxpayers, but would also prohibit government intervention that enables industry dependence on subsidies and empowers Washington to direct the flow…Nicolas Loris -
- News
PennEast Pipeline Backers Tout Lower Energy Prices in Fighting Well-Funded Green Groups
Anyone traveling along the roadways that run parallel to that part of the Delaware River where George Washington staged his famous Christmas night crossing in 1776 is sure to encounter signs that take aim at an energy project known as the PennEast Pipeline. Some of those signs invoke revolutionary language with statements that claim “We…Kevin Mooney -
- Opinion
In the Face of Evil, Americans Rush to Help Each Other in Las Vegas
The mass shooting that took place as Jason Aldean sang during a country music festival in Las Vegas on Sunday night was a demonstration of what evil men can do to fellow human beings. There were immediate calls to politicize the event, but Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, had a great response that many…Jarrett Stepman -
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Investigators Reluctant to Call Vegas Massacre an Act of Terror
It’s probably too early to judge whether the massacre at a concert in Las Vegas should be characterized as an act of domestic terrorism, government officials and experts say. The Islamic State, the terrorist group also known as ISIS, claimed credit Monday for the gunman who opened fire late Sunday night from above a country…Fred Lucas -
- News
Gunman Kills at Least 58 in Las Vegas, Thought to Be ‘Lone Wolf’
In what authorities are calling the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history, a gunman killed at least 58 people and wounded more than 500 Sunday night at an outdoor country music concert in Las Vegas by firing from the 32nd floor of a hotel. The number of deaths—updated from 50 to 58 about 11:30…Fred Lucas -
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Group Sues Vermont AG for Withholding Emails About Climate Crusade Against Oil Groups
Vermont is refusing to comply with a court order forcing officials to release communications about the state’s supposed involvement in a climate inquisition against fossil fuel groups, a conservative legal group said Monday. Vermont Attorney General T.J. Donovan denied conservative group E&E Legal’s request for communication between former Attorney General William Sorrell and New York…Chris White -
- Opinion
America’s Energy Dominance Won’t Sacrifice Environmental Quality
President Donald Trump declared during energy week that the United States would “usher in a golden age of American energy dominance.” From rolling back egregious offshore drilling restrictions and power plant regulations to a policy review to revive nuclear energy, the Trump administration is making important headway to unleash America’s vast energy resources. But energy…Nicolas Loris -
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Rick Perry’s Plans for US Energy Dominance
America is approaching energy independence, but still needs to remove obstacles, Energy Secretary Rick Perry says. “The previous administration talked about energy independence, but wouldn’t drill and transport. It was all talk,” @SecretaryPerry says. “We are very close to being energy independent,” Perry told The Daily Signal in a brief interview. “Regarding our ability to…Fred Lucas -
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Energy Department Looks at Green Impact on Power Grid
Energy Secretary Rick Perry said the upcoming Department of Energy study on power grid’s reliability is needed to address the facts after the Obama administration placed a premium on politics—but green energy is reportedly ready to push back. The study, set to be released in the coming weeks, will look at the effect of green…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Trump’s Action on Energy Empowers Local Leaders, Lays Groundwork for Prosperity
“One step forward, two steps back.” That’s how we summed up the situation the last time an offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling proposal was announced. That was in January 2015, when the Obama administration included several areas off the coast of Alaska and parts of the Atlantic coast in the 2017-2022 federal leasing…Katie Tubb -
- Opinion
Unlocking Our Immense Oil and Gas Supply Can Make America Great Again
American lawmakers would be wise to embrace the ongoing energy revolution. The Baker Hughes oil rig count for the United States increased on Friday for the 10th consecutive week to 809 operating rigs, resulting in a 20-rig increase from the week before and a 345-rig addition in the past 12 months. While OPEC countries have…Kevin Dayaratna