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
Can Oil-Rich Guyana Avoid the Venezuela Curse?
The battle for the future of economic freedom in Guyana is being waged right now. Its gross domestic product growth has improved in anticipation of an oil boom that is now coming on stream. The oil revenues could transform the country, as a petrostate, into the fastest-growing economy in the region. Alternatively, the country could…James M. Roberts -
- Opinion
Don’t Gaslight Us on #BelieveWomen
Many of us were startled to open The New York Times last week and find ourselves accused of hijacking and weaponizing the phrase “believe all women.” According to journalist Susan Faludi, the phrase always has been “believe women,” and never has been associated with a demand for automatic and unquestioned belief that those who allege…Amy Swearer -
- Opinion
In Responding to Low Oil Prices, Patience Is a Virtue
Sometimes the preferred policy solution is to do nothing at all. Take the oil industry, for instance, where many of the proposals from federal and state policymakers would have done far more harm than good by distorting markets and harming consumers. America’s oil producers are by no means out of the woods yet, but the…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Don’t Expand Federal Energy Loan Programs. Unplug Them.
Amid the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, some in Congress are calling for more stimulus programs to jump-start and sustain an economic recovery. Many policymakers are calling for it to be done in a climate-friendly way, which has renewed interest in the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office. The Loan Programs Office offers taxpayer-backed loans…Nicolas Loris -
- News
Jesse Jackson Stands up for Natural Gas Development in Struggling Community
The Rev. Jesse Jackson is bucking many of the environmentalists who believe natural gas production perpetuates a world in which climate change is disproportionately hurting black communities. Jackson is prodding local, state, and federal officials in Illinois to OK the construction of a $8.2 million, 30-mile natural gas pipeline built for a community, Axios noted in a report…Chris White -
- Opinion
Why Eco-Warriors’ Bid to Ban Natural Gas Appliances Is Wrongheaded
Could the 80-year-old phrase “Now we’re cooking with gas” soon become a relic of the past? Several cities are studying proposals to restrict the use of natural gas in commercial and residential buildings as a way to combat climate change. In the latest push to ban natural gas appliances in homes, a Sierra Club-commissioned report…Nicolas Loris -
- News
Ocasio-Cortez Deletes Tweet Hailing Oil Price Crash That Risks Big Job Losses
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., tweeted—and then quickly deleted—comments that appeared to show adulation over the price of oil dipping below $0 a barrel, which will ultimately lead to job losses. Ocasio-Cortez on April 20 reacted gleefully at news that the price of oil had dropped below $0, saying that such a milestone would mean the United States…Jason Hopkins -
- Opinion
What Collapsing Oil Prices Mean for America
Warmer weather usually means more people getting out and driving—to stores, restaurants, baseball games, or sometimes, just to drive. Projections that gas prices could soon fall below $2 per gallon would usually be cause for celebration. But these aren’t usual times, are they? The reality is the implications for the U.S. economy are unclear. They…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
A Misguided Approach to Nuclear Power in ‘Energy Innovation’ Bill
Being “well intentioned” isn’t the same as doing well. Look no further than the recently introduced American Energy Innovation Act. The bill proposes an extensive federally funded and directed research, development, and demonstration program for advanced nuclear technologies through the Department of Energy. It’s Act 2 of the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, the first half…Katie Tubb -
- Opinion
Senate’s ‘Energy Innovation’ Bill Wasteful, Redundant
When you think of the word “innovation,” what comes to mind? Maybe it’s something new and inventive—or something cutting edge, original, and creative. Or, if you’re in Washington, “innovation” is trotting out the same, stale approaches to policy that have done less to empower innovators and families and more to empower special interests. The latest…Nicolas Loris -
- News
Oil Production on Federal Land Tops 1 Billion Barrels, Reducing OPEC’s Impact on Markets
Oil production on federal lands topped 1 billion barrels in 2019, marking a 29% increase from the Obama administration, Department of the Interior officials announced Tuesday. Technological advancements over the last decade in hydraulic fracturing helped drive the increase, as did President Donald Trump’s rollback of his Democratic predecessor’s environmental regulations. Production was up 122 million barrels…Chris White -
- Opinion
How the Shale Revolution Became the MVP of US Energy Production
America’s oil and gas production is like Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. Defies expectations. Continually amazes. Sets new records. Makes a lot of people very happy. Within the past decade, the United States has seen remarkable benefits as a result of the shale revolution. Fueled by innovation and American entrepreneurial grit, the U.S. surpassed Russia as the world’s largest…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
How the Oil Production Boom Has Benefited America
“We can’t just drill our way out of the problem.” That was the oft-repeated phrase of President Barack Obama, who throughout his presidency argued that the key to beating higher gasoline prices was to subsidize alternative energies, such as solar and wind. It was a common sentiment from those who fretted that the world had…Jarrett Stepman -
- Opinion
Omnibus Spending Bill Misses Mark on Nuclear Energy Leadership
Don’t get me wrong. I love nuclear energy and think it has the power to change the world for the better. But Congress is working its way toward creating a new, $230 million-plus subsidy program for the nuclear energy sector that’s a waste of taxpayer resources, is problematic for the industry, and that totally ignores issues…Katie Tubb -
- Opinion
Scrap Energy Tax Favors for Better Reform
It’s that time of year again when Congress, feeling the pressure of budget negotiations and the year’s end, provokes the issue of expired or soon-to-expire energy tax credits. Congress has on the table roughly a dozen renewable energy tax subsidies covering wind, solar, electric vehicles, biofuels, and others. There’s a host of reasons why these…Katie Tubb -
- Opinion
Here’s Why Californians Pay Way More for Gasoline Than Everyone Else
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 19, 2018. It has been updated to include California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for an investigation into oil companies, California’s recent gas price increases, and news of the state’s wildfires. A gallon of gas costs more in California than in the rest of the country for…Chris White -
- Opinion
More Ethanol Means Higher Prices, and Not Just for Gasoline
Over the summer, President Donald Trump tweeted that his administration was working on an ethanol package that would be “Great for all!” Now that we have the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft proposal, we can see he was half right. It’s great, all right—for the politically connected. It’s costly for everyone else. The Renewable Fuel Standard,…Nicolas Loris -
- News
Pump Price Over $4 a Gallon Gives Californians Gas Pains
A dollar won’t take you very far in California these days. Today, the state has an average gas price of $4.18 per gallon, more than $1.50 higher than the $2.64 per gallon average from every other state, according to the American Automobile Association. California has the highest gas taxes in the nation at an average…Jackson Elliott -
- Opinion
How Natural Gas Exports Are Giving America a Key Edge
According to a new report published by the International Energy Agency, the United States could become the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas as soon as 2024. Growing U.S. liquefied natural gas trade builds the domestic industrial sector and supports our national security interests abroad by providing America’s allies with more energy choice and…Nicolas Loris -
- Opinion
Oil-Rich Countries Need to Diversify and Liberalize
Americans have been relieved by the drop in gas and oil prices in recent years, but other oil-producing countries aren’t so thrilled. Last week, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to continue to pinch oil production as it desperately tries to prevent a further drop in oil prices. Strong U.S. production has caused…Anthony B. Kim