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For the third year in a row energy played a central role in President Obama's State of the Union address, with the president leaning hard this year on the twin themes of increased domestic oil and gas production and the need to invest more in renewable sources.
In an effort to ratchet up the pressure on President Barack Obama on the Keystone XL oil pipeline, a group of Senators that includes Mike Johanns of Nebraska and John Thune of South Dakota introduced the North America Energy Security Act that would require the President to approve the pipeline.
The State Department on Thursday announced that it's punting a decision on the controversial Keystone XL pipeline until at least the first quarter of 2013. House Speaker John Boehner responded: "More than 20,000 new American jobs have just been sacrificed in the name of political expediency".
79 percent of registered voters said they would like to see America import more of the oil it needs from Canada, "rather than other foreign countries...if America continues to need to import some oil to meet our energy needs."
A big selling point for the Keystone XL pipeline is that its billions of barrels of Canadian crude oil would provide "energy security" for the United States, with a long-term, reliable supply of petroleum from a friendly ally. But some critics of the pipeline are saying much of the oil could end up as gasoline and diesel fuel exported to Europe and Latin America.
In 2011, the International Monetary Fund estimates Canada will grow at 2.9%; and unemployment is now 7.3%. One explanation for Canada's more robust growth is its strong commitment to energy. Alberta is now producing two million barrels per day but expects that number will grow to four to five million within a decade.
Russell K. Girling of Calgary, Alberta, president and chief executive officer of TransCanada Corp writes a Guest Opinion in the Billings Gazette about the Keystone pipline safety standards.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote next week on legislation aimed at improving offshore drilling safety (i.e. stiffen penalties, strengthen well blowout-prevention standards and increase offshore inspections). Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) said Thursday she would offer an amendment that provides coastal states a significant share of revenues from offshore energy development in federal waters.
Bill Menner has visited 36 communities. As state director of the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development his mission is to educate communities about available resources. Grain dryer improvements, wind farms, solar panels and other technologies are eligible for grants.
The Energy Department plans to provide a $105 million loan guarantee for the expansion of an ethanol factory in Emmetsburg, Iowa, that intends to make motor fuel from corncobs, leaves and husks.
