A Morning Consult – Story Partners poll released this week shows 62% of likely Democrat voters support building the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Who else is supporting Keystone XL?
Houston, TX – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), an organization that advocates for energy consumers, today released 10 tips for energy consumers to save money on summer energy bills. Record high temperatures are expected from coast to coast in the coming months, likely requiring more days of air conditioning than last year and increased energy costs for consumers.
According to the federal government, the average U.S. residential electricity customer will spend 4.9% more this summer than during the same time last year, when average summer temperatures in the United States were lower than normal. Expenses for utilities are the highest during the summer months when air conditioning boosts electricity demand.
“Consumers shouldn’t have to sweat it out financially this summer from increased energy costs,” said CEA President David Holt. “By having a proper federal energy policy, American families would not have to continue facing increased fuel costs during the summer driving season and be pinched by cooling costs during a sweltering hot summer.”
Holt added: “For most American families, increased energy costs are no small matter because every dollar spent on energy is a dollar that is not being put towards savings, groceries, or this year’s family vacation. The good news is that there are simple, affordable steps that consumers can take to trim their energy costs. CEA looks forward working with all of its member companies from the energy and consuming sectors to help educate consumers on the daily actions they can take to save money on their summer energy bills.”
With America’s energy technology and diversity of resources, the U.S. remains in a time of energy abundance. However, energy prices are driven by increased demand so it is important that all available energy resources remain available to help avoid supply disruptions or unnecessary price increases.
To review CEA’s tips for beating the heat – and high energy costs – of summer, please visit http://theenergyvoice.com/energy-saving-tips/.
Gulf Coast utility executives already had much to discuss when they planned to meet on June 5, 2014 at a conference held at the Mobile Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile, Alabama.
Then the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new set of proposed rules days before the event that set a national target of lowering carbon-dioxide emissions — from 2005 levels — by 25 percent by 2020 and 30 percent by 2030. The rules also require all states to come up with 5-year plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants.
Not surprisingly, the proposed policy became a main talking point at the first annual Gulf Coast Energy Forum, co-hosted by Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) and the Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy (PACE).
Keynote addresses at the forum included U.S. Representative Bradley Byrne (R-AL), and Patrick Sheehan, Director of Florida’s Office of Energy. There was also an executive roundtable of representatives from Mississippi Power, Tennessee Valley Authority, PowerSouth, Alabama Power, and South Mississippi Electric Power.
The more than 100 in attendance heard various insight on how industry would be affected by the proposed regulations and how plans are coming together to combat them.
For instance, Jim Compton, chief executive of the South Mississippi Electric Power Association, said that the regulations would push companies toward more natural gas usage. While the U.S. remains in the midst of a record-setting boom in natural gas exploration, being too dependent on one source of generation is not advisable, Compton said.
Others, like Ed Holland, CEO of Mississippi Power, agreed. “We should learn from lessons of previous generations and not be over dependent on one fuel source,” Holland said at the forum, according to a company tweet.
Michael Zehr, Vice President of Federal Affairs for CEA, touched on the matter by discussing the opportunities that await America because of its energy renaissance as long as bad policy does not get in the way.
In additional to the new EPA regulations, other equally important topics arose for discussion. For instance, Patrick Sheehan discussed ongoing energy policy throughout Florida, commenting on how Florida remains a heavy consuming state and how it was important for Florida to embrace an all-of-the-above energy policy from natural gas to oil to renewables.
Doyle moderated the first discussion panel, which featured Mississippi Senator Terry Burton, Alabama Senator Cam Ward, Lloyd Webb, director of energy procurement for Olin Corporation, and Jennifer Grove, chairperson of the Strategic Policy Committee for CareerSource Florida and Workplace Coordinator for Gulf Power.
Later, two key speakers spoke during the event’s “Reports from the States” segment.
First, Hill discussed his ongoing efforts to promote the long-awaited but still much-disputed Keystone XL pipeline while providing an update on the memorial that he sponsored in the Florida Legislature where Florida asked the White House to approve the pipeline. The resolution, he said, passed both Houses of the Florida Legislature.
Afterward, Dr. Nick Tew, Alabama’s State Geologist and Oil and Gas Supervisor, spoke on behalf of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley by detailing Alabama’s extensive energy policy.
Brown moderated the second panel discussion, which featured a pair of executives from each of the aforementioned utilities. The discussion returned to the new industry buzz – the proposed EPA rules regarding emissions for existing power plants – and the dangers it possesses for consumers.
Byrne closed the event by discussing his support for an all-of-the-above energy policy and how the U.S. can have a balanced approach between protecting the environment and promoting America’s energy security and economy.
CEA could not agree more. America is currently in the middle of an energy renaissance that is helping to create jobs and support energy security and economic growth. Like many other parts of the country, the Gulf Coast is benefitting from developments in the energy sector and CEA was pleased to highlight these positive stories at the Forum.
Stay tuned for more details on next year’s Gulf Coast Energy Forum. For more information on the event, please contact Kevin Doyle at kdoyle@consumerenergyalliance.org.
Memorial Day and Independence Day, surf waves and heat waves. It’s time to get ready for summer!
After a long, cold winter which saw increase consumer energy spending, can now enjoy more hours of daylight and warmer temperatures.
But when outside temperatures go up, energy bills will to.
With Mother Nature is expected to show no mercy in the coming months, many families across the U.S. will predictably sweat it out financially via increasingly costly electric bills. That’s where energy saving tips and tricks can come in handy!
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasted that the average U.S. residential electricity customer will spend 4.9% more money this summer on energy bills. And the forecast for this summer already calls for hotter temperatures – likely requiring more days of air conditioning than last year. According to the EIA, expenses for utilities are the highest during the summer months when air conditioning boosts electricity demand.
For most American families increased energy costs are no small matter. However, the good news is that there are simple ways to trim your energy costs without agonizing through 90- or 100-degree days and nights without air conditioning.
So, as the temperatures rise, be sure to implement these easy fixes to prepare for that soon-to-come heatwave and avoid that jaw-dropping energy bill.
These are just a handful of guidelines that can help you save money while keeping your family safe and comfortable during this summer.
Consumer Energy Alliance Mid-Atlantic Director Mike Butler penned a blog for ShaleReporter about how an energy project at Pittsburgh’s airport will boost the local economy.
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIA) was once one of the biggest hubs in US Airways’ route network and in the 1990s the airport was remodeled to be a state-of-the-art facility built largely to accommodate US Airways’ needs.
Unfortunately, two bankruptcies in the early 2000s prompted the airline to close its hub, slash more than 500 daily flights, and gut a workforce that surpassed 12,000. So, what was once one of the nation’s busiest airports with more than 600 daily departures, now only has an average of 151 per day.
The closing of the US Airways hub has been a blow to the regional economy, but fortunately the airport’s property has great economic opportunity as it holds 9,000 acres of land suitable for energy production. In late February, Southpointe-based Consol Energy Inc. completed a deal to drill for natural gas and oil at PIA. Allegheny County Council approved the contract, with Consol paying a $46.3 million signing bonus to the Allegheny County Airport Authority on Feb. 22nd.
Last year, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) testified at a public hearing held by the Allegheny County Council in support of the proposal to allow safe, responsible energy production on the land surrounding the airport. By approving this plan, the County Council was in a better position to reduce costs and landing fees to bring in more carriers to PIA – translating into additional economic development and revitalization for the region.
Under the deal, Consol agreed to pay 18 percent royalties on future production, expected to total $450 million over two decades. The Federal Aviation Administration requires all revenues generated by production on airport property to be reinvested within the airport system.
The airport said it will use the money to lower airline costs in hopes of attracting more flights, and for capital improvements. The initial payment of $50M, which was paid by Consol Energy to Allegheny County upon the signing of the lease in March, will be used to lower bond rates that will enable the airport to reduce gate fees.
According to a story by ShaleReporter, Allegheny County Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald said this project is perfect for the land around the airport and will be an economic generator for the facility and the region.
“The access to the airport is one of the reasons … It’s really in a great location and with the Shell cracker plant being built 10 miles down the road, it’s really creating synergies for that land to be really valuable.”
Effective January 2014, the cost per enplaned passenger at PIA will drop from $14.11 to $13.92, which is in addition to the $.55 reduction made in July 2013. This is the lowest rate for airlines flying into PIA since 2008. Reducing operating costs for airlines serving PIA will allow it to become more competitive and marketable to major airlines and can contribute to improving air service in Pittsburgh.
Consol has also announced it is adding to its workforce to support the significant projected growth of its Marcellus drilling program, which includes the airport project. The company anticipates hiring 50-75, with openings primarily for drilling and completions engineers. The multiplier for each of those hires is 4-6 contractor or support jobs for each full time job, so the total number and variety of job openings increases dramatically.
With the energy-based economy that is emerging in the Pittsburgh region fueled by the growth of the responsible production of the Marcellus Shale formation, Consol’s operations at PIA is another great example of the opportunity to generate jobs and bring much-needed financial stability to the region and specifically to the airports.
The Norfolk Daily News reports on insights shared by CEA’s Michael Whatley, one of three experts to speak at the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce about the Keystone XL pipeline.
A lot has been said and written about the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline.
Dr. J. Berton Fisher, a board certified hydrogeologist and instructor at the University of Tulsa, said it’s been said that when there is a controversy, the first victim is almost always the truth.
“I think that’s happened here,” Fisher told a group of mostly pipeline supporters while in Norfolk on Monday.
One example of that, he said, has been the discussion about the nature of the oil that would be transmitted via the pipeline.
“The oil that will be transmitted through this pipeline is no more corrosive than other heavy crude oils that have been transmitted for many, many years through other pipelines,” Fisher said.
Fisher was one of three experts to speak Monday afternoon at a luncheon at the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce. The event was organized by Nebraskans for Jobs & Energy Independence and included about 20 elected officials, emergency mangers, first responders and reporters.
“This is not some secret, double probation oil,” Fisher said. “It’s crude. It’s heavy crude. That’s what it is.”
Like other crude, it’s ultimately going to be refined and used as fuel, he said.
The 1,179-mile project is proposed to go from Canada through Montana and South Dakota to Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines to carry crude oil to refineries along the Gulf Coast.
One of those who spoke at the event Monday was Brigham McCown, the former administrator for the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, which regulates the transportation of hazardous materials.
McCown said there are more than 2.6 million miles of pipeline in the United States, including almost 2 million miles of natural gas pipelines. That’s enough pipelines to wrap around the world more than 100 times, he said.
Virtually all the gas and diesel fuel used in Nebraska was delivered by a pipeline, including the gas people have in their cars now, he said.
McCown said pipelines and trains are both extremely safe ways to transport crude oil, but pipelines are safer.
Nebraska already has two significant pipelines, the Platte Pipeline, which goes from northwest Nebraska to southeast Nebraska, and the Jayhawk Pipeline, which is in southern Nebraska and goes through Kansas.
The Platte Pipeline was been operating since 1952. The Jayhawk Pipeline has been operating since 1957. Together, these two pipelines have transported 5 billion barrels of oil, McCown said.
The Keystone XL pipeline will be the safest pipeline that can be built, he said, comparing it to cars. A person might have a car from 1960 that is a favorite, but it would not have the safety features of a 2014 model. That is similar to pipelines and all the safety features there are now, he said.
Michael Whatley, executive vice president of the Consumer Energy Alliance, said there are 250 million cars and light trucks on the road in the U.S., which average 11 to 13 years of use.
Gasoline and diesel fuel are going to power those vehicles easily for the next 15 years, Whatley said, and gas usage will go up in spite of electric cars and an ever increasing supply of ethanol.
That means the nation needs a stable supply of oil that can be refined into gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel and heating oil, Whatley said.
When the U.S. spends $1 on Middle East oil, only 13 cents is re-invested in the U.S. economy. When $1 is spent on oil in Canada, 96 cents of it is re-invested in the U.S., Whatley said.
“If you want to take a look at the economic impact of oil, look at Dubai,” Whatley said. “Who needs an indoor ski slope in the middle of a desert? They have so much of our money that they don’t know what to do with it.”
The Pine Bluff Commercial reports how U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Tom Cotton appeared together at event organized by Consumer Energy Alliance to protest ongoing delays in approving the Keystone XL pipeline.
Senate campaign rivals Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton appeared together Monday at Welspun Tubular in Little Rock to protest ongoing delays to the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.
The two Senate candidates joined other state lawmakers, business and labor leaders at Welspun, where 350 miles of steel pipeline is being stored as the Obama administration continues to review the construction proposal.
“Building the Keystone XL pipeline is a no brainer. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting on the president to approve this project,” said Sen. Pryor, D-Ark.
“Approving the Keystone XL pipeline is a win for Arkansas’s economy. The House voted to approve the pipeline last year, but unfortunately it remains stalled in the Senate, where it so far has to even be scheduled for debate,” said Rep. Cotton, R-Dardanelle.
Welspun is one of the manufacturers tapped by TransCanada to build the 36-inch-diameter steel pipe needed to complete the 1,100 miles of pipeline that will carry crude oil from Alberta Canada to Nebraska. The Obama administration has already approved construction of the southern section that runs to oil refineries in Texas.
Monday’s event was organized by the Consumer Energy Alliance to highlight the economic impact that the pipeline would have on Arkansas.
The Pine Bluff Commercial reports how U.S. Senator Mark Pryor and U.S. Representative Tom Cotton appeared together at event organized by Consumer Energy Alliance to protest ongoing delays in approving the Keystone XL pipeline.
Senate campaign rivals Mark Pryor and Tom Cotton appeared together Monday at Welspun Tubular in Little Rock to protest ongoing delays to the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.
The two Senate candidates joined other state lawmakers, business and labor leaders at Welspun, where 350 miles of steel pipeline is being stored as the Obama administration continues to review the construction proposal.
“Building the Keystone XL pipeline is a no brainer. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting on the president to approve this project,” said Sen. Pryor, D-Ark.
“Approving the Keystone XL pipeline is a win for Arkansas’s economy. The House voted to approve the pipeline last year, but unfortunately it remains stalled in the Senate, where it so far has to even be scheduled for debate,” said Rep. Cotton, R-Dardanelle.
Welspun is one of the manufacturers tapped by TransCanada to build the 36-inch-diameter steel pipe needed to complete the 1,100 miles of pipeline that will carry crude oil from Alberta Canada to Nebraska. The Obama administration has already approved construction of the southern section that runs to oil refineries in Texas.
Monday’s event was organized by the Consumer Energy Alliance to highlight the economic impact that the pipeline would have on Arkansas.
National Journal asked David Holt to weigh in on the political liability of the EPA regulations on coal power plants.
Here is what he said:
“When it comes to a debate over the cost of basic necessities such as heat or electricity voters will not give candidates much wiggle room. The candidate who can make the case that their vote will support policies that make prices affordable is going to win over their electorate.” —David Holt, president, Consumer Energy Alliance
Mobile, AL was the site for the Gulf Coast energy forum. Consumer Energy Alliance partnered with PACE to host the forum on the future costs of energy in the Southeast. Speakers raised concern that the U.S. is limiting its ability to generate affordable electricity if the EPA places new restrictions on coal-based power plants.
Most companies are still unpacking the contents of the 645-page proposal, but pledges to litigate have already been made. Attorney General Luther Strange said he was considering legal action to protect the state’s 16,000 coal-related jobs.
At least until next year or the earliest lawsuit is filed, power companies must consider ways to limit coal usage, the cheapest form of energy.
At the forum Thursday, Jim Compton, chief executive of the South Mississippi Electric Power Association, said the regulations push companies toward more natural gas usage — which is a mistake in his view.
“The (EPA) rule — I’m afraid — will bring us to a situation where we will be dependent on one source of generation that will be natural gas,” Compton said. Natural gas exploration has been a boon for the U.S.
The executives used the opportunity to envision what would happen if another wave of Polar Vortex-like cold creeped down into the deep South again. On Jan. 7, energy use climbed when the below-freezing temperatures swept across most of the country.
