Energy and the Economy
Producing jobs and economic growth by producing more oil and gas
Energy historian Daniel Yergin has a must-read piece in The Wall Street Journal that gives a big-picture view of the unconventional oil and gas revolution transforming the American economy. The Journal piece accompanies the recent publication of a report prepared by Yergin’s IHS consulting group that highlights the economic contribution of dramatically increased oil and gas production from unconventional sources like shale and tight rock. The numbers reported by Yergin and IHS are extraordinary.
The Golden State’s “self-inflicted crisis”
Recent price spikes have led a number of California politicians to call for inquiries into alleged market manipulations. We agree California’s energy markets are being distorted – but what deserves investigation and public debate are the policies that have put California motorists in such a precarious position. Recent events are a reminder that government policy can have unintended effects on energy markets.
How to really “help the economy”
With the U.S. economy continuing to struggle, it is more important than ever for our country to come together to discuss the best ways to boost the economy and help the more than 23 million Americans who are unemployed or under-employed. Punishing the U.S. energy industry is not the way to do it.
Presidential politics could use a dose of the facts
To hear Barack Obama in last night’s first presidential debate, you would think he was running against ExxonMobil this November given his tendency to single us out for criticism. In a discussion of ways to address the federal deficit, the president repeated incorrect claims that ExxonMobil receives what he termed “corporate welfare.” Because we’ve been pulled into this debate, I feel like asking the moderator to let me respond with several points.
The view from Jack’s front yard
In a recent speech in Philadelphia, XTO President Jack Williams talked about the industry’s responsibility to communicate our commitment to planning, safety and operational integrity at every stage in the development of shale natural gas. Effective communication about this energy source is particularly critical in regions that haven’t been major energy-producing centers since the late 19th century.
An emissions success story from Canada’s oil sands
Canada has one of the world’s largest resources of energy in the oil sands regions of Alberta. The oil sands are a critical resource helping support U.S. energy security and economic growth – and industry is making continuous improvements in the environmental profile of their development. A prime example is ExxonMobil’s Kearl Oil Sands Project.
