Global Trade
NPR helps build energy literacy
American politicians often say we should pursue the goal of “energy independence.” But it’s worth asking if achieving what that slogan implies is even possible. And if so, what would “energy independence” actually look like? Give credit to NPR’s Morning Edition for asking just those questions recently. In a series of penetrating segments, NPR exposed the problems with energy independence – and in the process helped listeners better understand what our real energy policy goals should be.
Wise words from Secretary Clinton on energy, poverty and trade
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently delivered a speech on the entwined topics of energy and diplomacy that deserves a lot more attention than it received. Secretary Clinton’s remarks amounted to a one-day news story in the middle of a hotly contested election. That’s a shame, because there’s a lot in the speech to recommend.
The national interest and exports of energy
This summer, you’re likely going to see a lot more talk about exports of American-made energy. As a result of the oil and natural gas industry’s technological innovations, including hydraulic fracturing, the United States is producing levels of oil and natural gas that no one expected just a few years ago. Under the guise of protecting American interests, some are claiming that energy resources are not like other products that are commonly traded on international markets – and therefore exports should be limited. This is a fundamentally untrue statement.
Imports, exports and U.S. energy security
We’re currently having an interesting discussion in the United States — one that few would have thought possible a decade ago. Americans are talking about the recent upswing in U.S. oil and natural gas production – and how it can benefit the U.S. economy and U.S. energy security. Technology developed by the industry has opened up vast energy resources across the country, from shale gas and tight oil to deepwater oil and gas. They’re also talking about what these new supplies mean for the United States when it comes to energy trade – what we import and what we export.
U.S. government confirms petroleum product exports not causing higher pump prices
When the price of gasoline increases, so do the misplaced theories that some commentators use to explain the phenomenon. Some, including Fox’s Bill O’Reilly, have charged large integrated oil companies with manipulating the price of gasoline by purposefully taking gasoline and diesel out of the U.S. market. I recently explained why this analysis is wrong, and now along comes independent verification from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Let’s not export the facts from discussion about gasoline prices
The recent rise in gasoline prices has resulted in a rise of misplaced explanations about the reasons behind it. The latest of these came this week from Bill O’Reilly, who argued that oil companies are to blame because they’re purposefully taking gasoline and diesel out of the U.S. market and exporting them overseas to “make bigger profits.” While his rationale may make for an entertaining conspiracy theory, the facts just don’t support it. The U.S. actually has a surplus of gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products.
