Thursday, September 19, 2024

Senate Energy Committee News

Senate Panel Set to Advance Quest for Oil in Alaska Refuge

(Photo: USFWS)

Oil drilling in a vast Alaskan wildlife refuge could move a step closer to reality on Wednesday as a Senate panel votes to open part of the reserve coveted by conservationists. Republicans, who control Congress and the White House, have…

Arctic Oil Expansion Panned by Scientists

Image: © Nightman1965/Adobe Stock

A group of 37 U.S.-based scientists whose research focuses on Arctic wildlife asked two U.S. senators in a letter on Thursday not to open the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, according to a copy seen by Reuters.

Former EPA Employees Oppose Trump's Nominee

Despite nearly 800 former Environmental Protection Agency officials urging the U.S. Senate to reject President Donald Trump's nominee to run the agency as the chamber moved closer on Thursday to approving his pick, Scott Pruitt, the attorney…

Senate Committee Approves Trump Picks for Energy, Interior

The Senate Energy Committee on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved President Donald Trump's nominees to head the Interior and Energy Departments. The panel approved Ryan Zinke for the Interior Department by a vote of 16 to 6 and Rick Perry, a former governor or oil producing Texas…

U.S. Senate Starts Debate on Broad Energy Bill

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday began debate on the country's first major energy bill in over eight years, featuring measures aimed at protecting the electric power grid against cyber attacks and speeding the export of liquefied natural gas.

Senator Urges Obama Admin to Detail Oil Swaps with Mexico

Senator Lisa Murkowski

One of the U.S. Senate's top advocates for lifting the ban on domestic crude exports urged the Commerce Department on Thursday to disclose whether any oil swaps with Mexico have actually been finalized after the agency approved the transactions in August.

US Senate Energy Panel Votes to Lift Oil Export Ban

The U.S. Senate Energy Committee on Thursday passed a bill that would lift a decades-old ban on the export of crude oil. The 22-member panel passed the bill to allow the United States to export oil and boost state revenue-sharing for offshore oil and gas drilling by a vote of 12-10.

Senators ask Spy Chief to Advise on Energy Boom

Four Republican senators on Tuesday urged the director of national intelligence to keep policymakers informed of the global security implications of booming U.S. energy output as Congress considers repealing the ban on domestic oil exports.

US Crude Export Would Help Europe -Czech Republic

Lifting the U.S. ban on oil exports would bolster energy security in Europe by allowing countries to find alternative sources, the Czech Republic ambassador to the United States told lawmakers considering a bill to do away with the trade restriction.

White House Seeks Greater Power over Emergency Oil Stocks

The Obama administration wants greater authority from Congress to tap the emergency oil reserve to control spikes in global petroleum prices, seeking a more aggressive role for the 40-year-old stockpile. Authorized by Congress in 1975 after the Arab oil embargo…

Oil Export Debate Has Geopolitical Dimension

Lifting the longstanding ban on U.S. crude oil exports would boost the country's economy and enhance its global leadership, a former senior Obama administration official will tell senators on Thursday, introducing a strategic dimension to the growing debate over selling American oil abroad.

Lawmakers Push for Crude Exports to Mexico

The chairman of the U.S. Senate's Energy Committee and 20 colleagues on Wednesday urged the Commerce Department to allow crude oil exports to Mexico, saying it would benefit the economies of both countries. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski…

US Senators Press Keystone XL Despite Obama Veto Threat

U.S. Senate Republicans were poised to move ahead on Thursday with a bill to approve construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, their top priority in a new campaign to roll back President Barack Obama's policies. The Senate Energy Committee…

Republicans Set to Challenge Obama

Republicans take full control of the U.S. Congress this week with an agenda of trying to force approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline and push back on President Barack Obama's sweeping policy shifts on Cuba and immigration. After years of battles over the budget and other issues…

Senate Panel to Introduce Keystone XL Bill

The head of the Senate energy committee plans to introduce a bill next week to force approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, though the full chamber faces a battle in obtaining needed votes to overcome any veto by President Barack Obama.

Senate Panel to Introduce Keystone XL Bill Next Week

The head of the Senate energy committee plans to introduce a bill next week to force approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, though the full chamber faces a battle in obtaining needed votes to overcome any veto by President Barack Obama.

US House to Hold Hearing on Oil Export Ban

Photo: U.S. House of Representatitves

A House of Representatives panel will hold a hearing on Dec. 11 to explore whether a decades-old law that prohibits the export of crude oil makes sense in an era of domestic energy abundance. The House subcommittee on energy and power, chaired by Representative Ed Whitfield…

US Senator to Propose Vote to Approve Keystone Pipeline

Senator Mary Landrieu

U.S. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu said she will propose debate later on Wednesday and a vote on Thursday to approve the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada. Landrieu of Louisiana, who faces a runoff election in December to retain her seat…

Senator Says 2015 Could Be Time for US Oil Export Bill

The top supporter in the U.S. Congress for reversing the 40-year ban on crude oil exports, Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, said next year could be the time for a bill on lifting the restriction. "I think it may be timely then," Senator Lisa Murkowski…

Senate Panel Ponders Expedited LNG Export Reviews

Senator John Hoeven

U.S. lawmakers on the Senate Energy Committee will vote on a bill this week aimed at speeding up the Department of Energy's review of liquefied natural gas export applications. The panel will weigh a bill introduced by Senator John Hoeven…