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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- Opinion
Whether Gas Prices Are High or Low, Lift the Ban on Crude Exports
Gasoline prices continue to drop across the country with the national average falling to $2.50 per gallon. Are low prices good or bad for the prospects for lifting the ban to export crude oil? The reality is it shouldn’t matter because energy free trade will benefit the United States in both the near term and…Nicolas Loris -
- News
In These 13 States, Gas Is Selling for Below $2 a Gallon
Just two weeks ago, a sole gas station in Oklahoma swept headlines for dropping gas prices below $2 a gallon. Today, 13 states have joined that list, and the trend is expanding. Gas for less than $1.90 a gallon can be found in at least one station in Oklahoma, Louisiana and Ohio, according to CNN….Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
CRomnibus Perpetuates More of the Same: Government Meddling in Energy Markets
Who needs another stimulus bill or legislation handing out taxpayer dollars for energy efficiency when they can be stuffed into the Cromnibus like a Christmas stocking at the end of the year? The Department of Energy’s budget is much of the same: bureaucrats will be spending money they shouldn’t on activities the private sector should…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Feeling Better at the Pump? Since 2008, America’s Oil Supply Has Grown by 50%
If you're like most Americans, you haven't been questioning the welcome drop in gasoline prices. You just fill 'er up and feel grateful that you're spending less. Why has this remarkable drop come about? And what can we do to help keep prices lower? Some of it, unfortunately, is beyond our control. Worldwide demand for…Ed Feulner -
- Opinion
Chart of the Day: U.S. Oil Production by the Numbers
As news stirs around OPEC's decision to not cut oil production, we've pulled together the chart below with a closer look at the surging production in the United States. Energy expert Nick Loris, the Herbert and Joyce Morgan fellow at The Heritage Foundation, argues that even if OPEC had decided to cut oil production, it wouldn't be a…Kelsey Lucas -
- Opinion
Even If OPEC Had Decided to Cut Oil Production, It Wouldn’t Be a Huge Deal. Here’s Why.
As oil prices decline, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries has decided not to cut oil production. OPEC’s production decision is not a new one. And the group of oil-producing nations could very well announce a cut in oil supply in the future if oil prices continue to fall. Either way, the price impact from…Nicolas Loris -
- News
Are Libertarians a ‘Spoiler’ for the GOP? Here’s John Stossel’s Take
Republican candidate Ed Gillespie trails Democratic Sen. Mark Warner by 16,727 votes in Virginia’s razor-thin U.S. Senate race. It’s so close the Associated Press won’t call it. The margin between Gillespie and Warner is much smaller than the 53,396 votes for Libertarian Robert Sarvis. So, was Sarvis a spoiler? On Thursday’s Varney & Co. on…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
The True Reason Gas Prices Are Falling (Hint: It’s Not Because of Green Energy)
American workers and motorists got some badly-needed relief this week when the price of oil plunged to its lowest level in years. The oil price has fallen by about 25 percent since its peak back in June of $105 a barrel. This is translating to lower prices at the pump with many states now below…Stephen Moore -
- Opinion
Governor Jindal: Energy Exports Help the U.S. Domestically and Diplomatically
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal recently spoke at the American Enterprise Institute to introduce his vision for defense policy. He pointed out that America has a tool at its disposal that isn’t the traditional weapon or diplomatic position: America’s vast energy supply. Jindal said energy exports can strengthen ties with allies who need energy and can counterbalance…Thomas Lee -
- Opinion
5 Policies That Would Make Gas Cheaper
Sick of paying too much at the pump? If you are, there’s good news: There are policies Congress and the Obama administration could implement that likely would lead to lower prices. If you’re looking to lower gas prices, first look at crude oil prices. Crude oil contributes the largest component to the price of gasoline….Nicolas Loris -
- News
This One Policy Switch Could Make Gas Way Cheaper
For nearly 40 years, there’s a been a ban on exporting crude oil from the United States to other nations in the world. Now, a just-released study from a liberal think tank says lifting the ban could boost the U.S. economy between $600 billion to $1.8 trillion and save motorists up to 12 cents a…Rob Nikolewski -
- Opinion
The Crazy Turmoil That Could Have Happened If Scotland Voted to Be Independent
Great Britain can breathe a huge sigh of relief. The people of Scotland voted Thursday to remain a part of the United Kingdom. This is great news not only for Britain, but also for the United States. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is America’s closest ally on the world stage. The…Nile Gardiner -
- News
The Scary Amount of Oil Money ISIS Makes Every Day
President Obama, laying out his strategy last night to defeat the Islamist jihadists known as ISIS, stressed that “it will take time to eradicate a cancer” such as the terrorist group represents in the Middle East. One hurdle in the way of Obama’s intention to work with allies to “degrade and ultimately destroy” ISIS (also…Kelsey Bolar -
- News
Four Legs and a Life of Service: The Fight to Allow Military Working Dogs to ‘Retire’ on U.S. Soil
For Army Staff Sgt. James Harrington, it was a day he thought would never arrive. It had been two and a half years since he last saw his golden-haired, brown-eyed girl, and Harrington had made a point to keep track of the 7-year-old’s travels, even after their lives went separate ways. But standing at Armstrong…Melissa Quinn -
- News
State Gave $69 Million Loan to Green Energy Company on Verge of Bankruptcy
Biofuel manufacturer KiOR’s financial struggles might leave Mississippi holding the title to another failed green energy project. According to the company’s quarterly report, without additional financing KiOR won’t be able to meet its financial obligations past Sept. 30. One of its biggest creditors is the state of Mississippi. The company owes the state $69.275 million on a no-interest loan…Steve Wilson -
- News
Raw Footage: Tear Gas Blasted at TV Reporters in Ferguson
Police in Ferguson, Mo., fired tear gas at Al Jazeera America TV crews last night as they recorded footage of the violent protests over the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown. According to KSDK.com, “police took down the crew’s light kit, and pointed their camera at the ground” minutes later. >>> Overmilitarization: Why Law Enforcement Needs to…Daily Signal Staff -
- Opinion
Unlocking Energy Opportunity in Africa
Visiting America for the U.S.–Africa Leaders Summit last week, heads of African nations had plenty to say about the need to increase access to reliable, affordable energy. Yet some are trying to dissuade African investment in conventional energy sources such as coal and natural gas in an effort to stave off global warming. Roughly 550…Katie Tubb -
- Opinion
We’d Have an Energy Boom … If the Government Got Out of the Way
There’s been something of an energy boom taking place in the U.S. over the past few years, and it’s given the American economy a real boost. Now we just need the federal government to get out of the way and open opportunities to freely trade energy, and those benefits will grow substantially. U.S. coal exports…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Ghana Woes a Warning to Other Oil-Rich African Countries
African leaders are in Washington this week for the White House–sponsored U.S.–African Leaders Summit, a meeting of nearly 50 African heads of state meant to promote trade and investment. But for Ghana, the optimism surrounding the conference and a second U.S. aid compact have been drowned out by economic troubles at home. One of West…Ryan Olson -
- Opinion
Energy: U.S. Should Pay Attention to Mexico’s Reforms
In recent years, the United States has seen a huge oil and natural gas boom fueled by hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) and horizontal drilling. Now, American energy companies may have the opportunity to put their expertise into practice in a new energy market: Mexico. Mexico recently passed a series of energy reforms that ended the 75-year-long…Andrea Rodriguez