Energy Security
Where is the job growth? Take a look at the U.S. energy industry
Although today’s jobs report is slightly more encouraging than generally expected, most Americans would agree that it’s nowhere near enough. Many are asking “how can we create more jobs?” It’s not an easy question. But one obvious place to start would be to encourage sectors in which jobs are already growing – including the U.S. oil and natural gas industry.
ExxonMobil’s earnings, and America’s bottom line
Yesterday, ExxonMobil announced its second-quarter results – recording earnings of $10.7 billion. And while commentators talk about the contribution of this result to the company’s bottom line, it’s also important to note that it’s good for America’s bottom line, too. As I’ve talked about in previous posts, ExxonMobil contributes billions into the U.S. economy through federal and state taxes, royalties, jobs and capital projects while helping ensure continued supply of energy for U.S. consumers and businesses.
A state-level look at how energy companies create economic opportunity
Many Americans, including many in Washington, are looking for ways to stimulate job growth and economic recovery. I suggest they look at what’s happening in the U.S. oil and natural gas industry, which – with its emphasis on innovation and technology – continues to be a powerful resource on both of these fronts.
Debunking Myths on Crude Oil and Gasoline Prices
It is not uncommon to read articles or hear of claims that international oil companies somehow “set” the price of crude oil and use this power to drive profits. But a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) would, I hope, convince readers otherwise. This online report, called “What Drives Crude Oil Prices?” shows that there are a multitude of factors that influence the price of oil and gasoline – and demonstrates that oil companies simply aren’t able to set prices.
Seconding the motion: “End the gas-price blame game”
“The economics of gas prices are comprehensible. It’s the politics that don’t make sense.” That’s a quote from a recent Washington Post editorial about the rise and recent fall of gas prices, aptly titled “End the gas-price blame game.” The editorial, published before last week’s announcement of the release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, summarizes an all-too-familiar scenario in the U.S. political game: When gas prices rise, politicians look to place the blame in a variety of places – oil companies, opposing political parties, Wall Street traders, Federal Reserve policies, and others.
Is North America a land of opportunity for energy?
Last week, we announced a major oil and natural gas discovery in the Gulf of Mexico – one of the largest there in the last decade. For those who assume that oil only comes from the Middle East or other overseas locations, this find might come as a surprise. It shouldn’t. North America has enormous untapped energy potential that we could develop for American consumers – if governments provide access and uphold sound, stable regulatory frameworks.
