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Time for Congress to Reform the Renewable Fuel Standard

Semi truck on open road

With renewed debate on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), CEA’s David Holt discusses how Congress’s failure to review the standard has negatively affected America’s families, farmers, and small businesses.

Congress relied on several key assumptions when it expanded the program in 2007. Lawmakers also set a schedule that requires refiners to blend up to 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels into the nation’s gasoline and diesel supply by 2022. Among these assumptions: that fuel demand would significantly increase every year and that advanced biofuels — such as ethanol from food waste — would be technologically feasible.

Unfortunately, these assumptions were wrong. Today, America is using less gasoline and diesel, largely because of improved fuel economy. The country also isn’t producing nearly as much advanced biofuel product as projected. These missed assumptions have led to major problems with the implementation and management of the RFS — negatively affecting families, farmers, and the nation’s refining infrastructure.

Read more – Real Clear Energy

First Phase of EPIC Pipeline Begins Operation

New pipelines are allowing the petrochemical industry in Corpus Christi to expand, providing new job opportunities to residents throughout the area.

In Corpus Christi, at the other end, EPIC is building a fractionation complex to accommodate the pipeline’s volume as well as a purity product pipeline distribution system, including an ethane pipeline in the Markham area.

Read more – Midland Reporter-Telegram

Commissioners’ Decision on Offshore Drilling Resolution Was the Right Call

Two machinists working on machine

CEA’s Tim Page discusses the importance of having a respectful dialogue on the development of North Carolina’s energy resources and how families across the state can benefit from lower energy costs.

Rather than thwarting efforts to have civil discussions, like some antagonistic individuals have done, we need to learn more about how offshore energy resources could benefit North Carolinians while protecting the environment and well-being of families and small businesses across Brunswick County and the state.

Read more – The Brunswick Beacon

Texas Oil Output Surge Clogs Pipelines, Depresses Prices

Man putting gas in car

Last month, we mentioned the growing problem of constrained pipelines in Texas.  Production increased faster than anticipated, with pipelines now reaching near maximum capacity preventing additional oil and natural gas to reach end users.

The Permian basin in Texas is leading the way as U.S. oil production has reached an all-time high, but the prolific output is causing bottlenecks as pipelines transporting the crude have filled up more quickly than expected.

Read more – U.S. News and World Report

Pipeline ‘Sabotage’ Bill Sent to Iowa Governor Carries Tough Penalties

Pipeline worker in pipe

More state legislatures are reviewing critical infrastructure laws in light of increasingly violent anti-development protesters who have shot at pipelines in residential areas, attempted to shutoff manual safety valves, and sabotaged equipment used to build and maintain pipelines.

Those who intentionally damage or try to damage infrastructure deemed critical to the safety and economic well-being of Iowans could face a criminal charge carrying a 25-year prison term and a fine of up to $100,000 under a bill passed by the Senate this week and sent to Gov. Kim Reynolds.

 Read more – Globe Gazette

Natural Gas Is Good for Virginia

Woman Fueling Car

CEA’s Tim Page talks about how important natural gas production has been to expanding Virginia’s economy and reducing emissions across the country.

Natural gas is also a very versatile fuel. It’s both a transportation fuel and a source used to heat homes and power homes, buildings and plants. It’s also the cleanest-burning fuel we have. In fact, industry-related emissions have declined nearly 14 percent nationwide since 2005, thanks largely to record upticks in natural gas usage, which has simultaneously grown the economy and in 2016, accounted for a 33 percent reduction in total emissions.

Read more – The Roanoke Times

Pennsylvania Must Do More to Keep Energy Affordable

Pennsylvania farm near Gettysburg

With energy prices increasing in recent weeks, CEA’s Mike Butler discusses how to keep energy affordable for families while also ensuring our environment is protected.

It’s critical that industry does everything possible to reduce air emissions and ensure clean water. The state and region are leading the world in environmental progress, and by every measure, our air and water are cleaner today than they were five, 10, even 30 years ago. We’re making progress. That must continue.

Read more – North Penn Life

Texas-Sized Gas Conundrum Plagues America’s Busiest Oil PlayTexas-Sized Gas Conundrum Plagues America’s Busiest Oil Play

Constrained infrastructure is quickly leading to problems getting oil and natural gas to end-users in Texas.

A pipeline shortage that’s leaving gas trapped in West Texas’ Permian Basin means prices for the fuel there are the lowest of any major U.S. hub…

…All that gas production is creating a dilemma for drillers, who may be forced to curtail oil output if they can’t get their gas to market.

Read more – Bloomberg

Pipelines, Power Plants and Potential: Oil and Gas Industries Continue to Provide

Pipeline construction with welder

IOGA’s Charlie Burd was recently interviewed on why pipelines are necessary to continue the boom of energy production in West Virginia, and how energy-intensive manufacturers will be attracted to West Virginia as a result.

If co-tenancy regulations are established and the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines are completed on schedule, there is expected to be a spike in the state’s oil and gas production numbers, Burd said.

“I suspect it would only go up; it would be significant,” he said. “It’s growing by leaps and bounds. Every one of these wells seems to be very prolific, that’s why we need the pipeline takeaways and the downstream (manufacturing).”

Read more – WV News

Offshore Energy Expansion Could Produce More Low-cost Energy for State Manufacturers

Production assembly line for manufacturing of engines

CEA’s Brent Greenfield looks at the growing manufacturing presence in Alabama and how low cost energy has helped the state attract and retain jobs.

Paper manufacturer International Paper, citing growing demand, recently announced it’ll spend more than $500 million to upgrade its facility in Selma. Mazda and Toyota are investing $1.6 billion in a new plant in Huntsville, adding up to 4,000 jobs, and Shaw Industries Group is investing $184 million in its facility in Andalusia…The state’s history of producing low-cost, locally-made energy is a big reason why.

Read more – Birmingham Business Journal

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