The big news today was an announcement that President Obama will not sign Keystone XL oil pipeline legislation currently working its way through congress. Interestingly, the announcement was made at the same time major oil and gas industry trade group American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard delivered the annual State of American Energy address, in… Keep reading →
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) confirmed the Republican-controlled senate will first consider a bill to construct the Keystone XL oil pipeline when they begin work next year. However, the legislation would still need to get by the president’s desk and he may veto it. “We’ll be starting next year with a job-creating bill that enjoys… Keep reading →
Ed. note: This is a new weekly column by Elie Mystal, Managing Editor of Above the Law Redline. This space will focus on the laws that exist, should exist, and should be put out of their misery. OVER-REGULATED Chinese Diplomacy: Let me get this straight: our new “deal” with China involves the U.S. agreeing to… Keep reading →
Long viewed as a more expensive short-term solution to pipelines, it appears transporting crude oil via rail is likely to continue in conjunction with pipeline infrastructure. As North American oil production crept steadily higher over the past several years, the output surge overwhelmed existing pipelines and producers turned to railroads to move their product.… Keep reading →
The energy poverty issue is being drawn into stark relief in India, where the government is pursuing an aggressive coal expansion strategy as it seeks to bring electricity to the over 300 million people without. The New York Times reports air quality in cities is worse than China, rising seas will impact the country disproportionately… Keep reading →
In this LEVICK Daily video interview, LEVICK’s Lanny Davis and Jessica Lenard examine how the 2014 midterm elections will impact public policy moving forward. While there is no clear consensus on precisely what to expect on Capitol Hill, in state legislatures, and in local jurisdictions across the country, there are pressing issues that will no doubt warrant elected officials’ attention.… Keep reading →
A lawyer that represents utilities argues in an editorial the EPA’s Cross-state Air Pollution Rule enacted in 2011 causes lesser polluting states to subsidize some of the pollution reduction in states that emit greater volumes of harmful pollutants. The lesser polluting states also tend to have higher electricity costs and would thus be unfairly impacted… Keep reading →
Keystone XL and US Politics: A Sad State of Affairs
By Jared AndersonRyan Lizza’s New Yorker article about the Keystone XL Pipeline project is both insightful and depressing. The piece dissects the issue’s genesis and history, finding the proposed pipeline to be a climate change symbol seized by wealthy activists seeking to influence national politics, while advancing their own political ambitions. Unfortunately, in selecting Keystone XL opposition… Keep reading →