The Obama administration has released plans to open up the US Atlantic coast to offshore oil drilling for the first time. Drilling in the Atlantic had been banned for decades, but the ban expired in 2008. The Obama administration declined to issue leases in the Atlantic after the ban expired, and clamped down even tighter… Keep reading →
The US Department of Interior released today an Environmental Impact Statement regarding US East Coast offshore seismic surveys, which constitute early-stage oil & gas exploration. The east coast has been off limits to oil companies for 30 years, but a favorable EIS could presage permitting activity. A Record of Decision would be the next step… Keep reading →
MidAmerican Energy Holdings, a unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, has agreed to buy nearly 450 2.3-megawatt wind turbines – with an estimated collective value of over $1 billion – from Siemens. “MidAmerican is expanding in wind as costs fall.” [Bloomberg] China’s move to tackle air pollution could push major Australian coal mining operations from… Keep reading →
The Interior Department held a live online chat with Secretary Sally Jewell yesterday in advance of National Public Lands Day on September 28. Naturally, questions arose about how the Department manages competing calls to use public lands to generate more domestic energy, and to keep energy development off of public lands. Secretary Jewell suggested that… Keep reading →
“I’ve fracked wells before.” – Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. [National Journal] Former UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne, who was recently released from jail after serving part of a sentence for “perverting the course of justice”, has been named chairman of Houston-based Zilkha Biomass Energy’s European business. [The Guardian] There’s a National Clean Energy Summit being… Keep reading →
Opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to exploration and development has long been a contentious issue, and Alaska Governor Sean Parnell made a push earlier this week to reopen the debate. Parnell presented Interior Secretary Sally Jewell with a detailed proposal for a seven-year program to conduct 3-D seismic exploration of ANWR area 1002… Keep reading →
Alaska Governor Sean Parnell is urging recently-confirmed Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to push ahead with exploration of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Parnell presented Secretary Jewell with a 187-page proposal for a seven-year program to conduct seismic surveys of ANWR area 1002, which would help to better define the area’s oil and gas potential.… Keep reading →
