Oil Industry

Auto Industry Reluctant to Support Trump Plan to Freeze Fuel Economy Standards
The auto industry appears to be balking at supporting the Trump administration's plan to freeze vehicle emission standards at 2020 levels even though they initially asked Trump to loosen the rigorous Obama-era fuel efficiency rule that goes to 2026.

Who's Advocating Rolling Back Fuel Economy Standards?
Conventional thinking is that the auto industry, wanting to sell more fuel-gulping SUVs, are pushing for weaker fuel economy standards, but Hiroko Tabuchi, climate reporter for The New York Times, exposes Big Oil's stealth campaign.

Trump Announcement Unites Big Oil and Environmentalists
President Trump announced at a campaign rally in Iowa that he would lift the ban on summertime sales of a 15 percent blend of ethanol, expected to increase smog levels. Both environmentalists and the oil industry oppose the action.

Alaskans to Choose Between Salmon Habitat Protections and Resource Extraction
A contentious initiative on the Alaska ballot next month pits protecting salmon habitat protections against the interests of the oil and gas industry and mining companies.

Paying for Climate Change Mitigation at the Pump in California
Two market-based programs add about a quarter to every gallon of fuel purchased in the Golden State, but don't expect to see the prices listed anywhere. Furthermore, costs to comply with the Low Carbon Fuel Standard are expected to increase.

The 'Shale Crescent,' Also Dubbed the 'Plastic Belt,' Removes the Rust
The region spanning Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania is claiming a new name.

Another Environmental Regulation Rollback Finalized by Trump Administration
A one-year suspension of an Obama-era rule to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas drilling on Federal and Indian lands will increase global warming and reduce federal revenue. Trump took action after Congress failed to repeal the rule.

Global Subsidies for Fossil Fuels: $5 Trillion a Year
A new study from researchers at the International Monetary Fund finds the cost of doing fossil fuel business.

New Oil Refineries Queuing Up in Texas
The return of the refinery: after several decades without any new refineries, two plans are moving forward in Texas.

EPA Administrator Transitions from Climate Change Skeptic to Denier
Perhaps there never really was much difference between 'skepticism' and 'denial'. Scott Pruitt certainly proved that on Thursday when he answered CNBC's Joe Kernen's question if carbon emissions are the primary cause of climate change.

What if Oil Is About to Have a Coal Moment?
It's always good to be wary of wishful thinking, but it's also a good idea to consider of what the world might look like ten to 20 years from now.

Trump Announces 'America First' Energy Plan
The Trump Campaign made a big play for the carbon industry's votes this week at an event in Pittsburgh.

Report Details Strategies for Energy States to Weather Booms and Busts
Some states relied more on the most recent energy boom than others, and some prepared more for the inevitable bust. A report by the Brookings Institution recommends actions for energy states to build resilience in the face of boom and bust cycles.

All Jokes Aside: Do Oil Companies Avoid Wealthy Areas?
Environmental justice alarms sounded when an oil industry executive made public remarks about how drilling sites get selected.
Oil Woes: Houston Housing Prices Falling Quickly
The price of oil has been on a steady decline since 2014, and the housing markets of oil industry towns are on their own, similar slide.
California Won't Require 50 Percent Reduction In Oil Consumption After All
An ambitious energy-climate bill strongly backed by Gov. Jerry Brown was stripped of one of its three goals—to reduce oil consumption in half by 2030. The other two goals, increasing the renewable portfolio and increasing energy efficiency, remain.
Strong Housing Market a Lesson in Contrasts to the Slumping Oil Industry
Houston's housing market is chugging along, although one of the area's key industries is struggling.
Oil Industry Dumping in Healthy Aquifers Amid California's Drought
Inadequate state enforcement of protected underground aquifers led to a group of emergency cease and desist orders. The failure of regulators is "especially disturbing" in a state stricken by a historic, economy- and life-threatening drought.
Oil Boom Lays Waste to North Dakota's Air and Ground
A pair of articles in The New York Times look at two different kinds of waste generated from North Dakota's booming oil industry: natural gas from oil wells is burned due to the absence of pipelines, and the disposal of waste in landfills.
Nation's Toughest Fracking Bill To Be Signed By CA Gov. Jerry Brown
SB 4 passed the legislature over strong objections from the oil and business community. California will go from having no well stimulation (includes acidizing) regulation set in statute to the nation's toughest, so why are environmentalists unhappy?
Pagination
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