Illinois Energy Forum Feed

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions declined in 2012

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in 2012 were the lowest in the United States since 1994, at 5.3 billion metric tons of CO₂. With the exception of 2010, emissions have declined every year since 2007.

The largest drop in emissions in 2012 came from coal, which is used almost exclusively for electricity generation. During 2012, particularly in the spring and early summer, low natural gas prices led to competition between natural gas- and coal-fired electric power generators. Lower natural gas prices resulted in reduced levels of coal generation, and increased natural gas generation - a less carbon-intensive fuel for power generation, which shifted power generation from the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel (coal) to the least carbon-intensive fossil fuel (natural gas).

Keystone XL Pipeline Draws Broad Support

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

As the Obama administration approaches a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, a national survey finds broad public support for the project. Two-thirds of Americans (66%) favor building the pipeline, which would transport oil from Canada’s oil sands region through the Midwest to refineries in Texas. Just 23% oppose construction of the pipeline.

Support for the pipeline spans most demographic and partisan groups. Substantial majorities of Republicans (82%) and independents (70%) favor building the Keystone XL pipeline, as do 54% of Democrats.

European industry flocks to U.S. to take advantage of cheaper gas

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0400

The gap in natural gas prices has opened quickly, leaving companies that make investment decisions years in advance scrambling to catch up. As recently as 2007, U.S. natural gas prices were only about 20 percent lower than Europe's, not enough to fundamentally reshape markets.

But with the boom in U.S. shale gas production, driven largely by fracking, U.S. prices last year dropped to a quarter of the European price. Most analysts expect that U.S. prices will stay low even if they rebound from their rock-bottom levels, providing a boon to all U.S.-based manufacturing through lower electricity prices.

The New Truck Stop: Filling Up With Natural Gas for the Long Haul

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0400

All along the millions of miles of highways that crisscross North America, wheels are in motion to remake the truck stop. Signs rise like palm trees from these oases for thirsty big rigs, shouting out $4-a-gallon diesel fuel. But this year will mark the first major deployment of service stations adapted to new energy realities; they'll offer 18-wheelers a place to pull in for a fill-up with natural gas.

Keystone XL pipeline clears hurdle as State report downplays climate impact

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500

A draft State Department report concludes that building the Keystone XL pipeline would not speed up development of Canada's oil sands, dealing a blow to environmentalists who claim Keystone would worsen climate change.

The report from the State Department says the Canada-to-Texas pipeline would have little impact on the environment.

"Approval or denial of the proposed project is unlikely to have a substantial impact on the rate of development in the oil sands, or on the amount of heavy crude oil refined in the Gulf Coast area," the report says.

53 senators urge approval of Keystone XL pipeline

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

More than half the Senate on Wednesday urged quick approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, ramping up pressure on President Barack Obama to move ahead with the project just days after he promised in his inaugural address to respond vigorously to the threat of climate change.

A letter signed by the 53 senators below said Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman's approval of a revised route through his state puts the long-delayed project squarely in the president's hands.

John Hoeven (R-N.D.)
Max Baucus (D-Mont.)
Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)
Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.)
Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.)
Mark Kirk (R-Ill.)
John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
Mike Johanns (R-Neb.)
Deb Fischer (R-Neb.)
Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)
Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.)
Dan Coats (R-Ind.)
Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
David Vitter (R-La.)
John Cornyn (R-Texas)
James Risch (R-Idaho)
Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
James Inhofe (R-Okla.)
Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)
Richard Burr (R-N.C.)
Ron Johnson (R-Wis.)
Richard Shelby (R-Ala.)
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
John McCain (R-Ariz.)
Roger Wicker (R-Miss.)
Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.)
Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.)
Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.)
Susan Collins (R-Maine)
John Thune (R-S.D.)
Ted Cruz (R-Texas)
Mike Lee (R-Utah)
Pat Toomey (R-Pa.)
John Boozman (R-Ark.)
Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)
Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa)
Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)
Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
Tom Coburn (R-Okla.)
Thad Cochran (R-Miss.)
Dean Heller (R-Nev.)
Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)
Mark Begich (D-Alaska)
Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.)
Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.)
Mary Landrieu (D-La.)
Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)
Mark Pryor (D-Ark.)
Mark Warner (D-Va.)
Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)
Kay Hagan (D-N.C.)

GOP governors, Canadian leader press Obama to approve Keystone pipeline

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500

Ten GOP governors and the premier of Saskatchewan are putting fresh pressure on President Obama to greenlight the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring Canadian oil sands to Gulf Coast refineries.

Premier Brad Wall and the governors, in a letter to Obama Thursday, call the project “fundamentally important” to the future economic prosperity of the United States and Canada.

Fracking could have billion-dollar impact on Illinois: study

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Hydraulic fracturing in Southern Illinois has the potential to create more than 47,000 jobs and more than $9.5 billion in economic impact, according to a study released Thursday by the Illinois Chamber Foundation.

The study, conducted over the last four months, is the first of its kind to focus entirely on the state's potential with regard to increased horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the chamber said.

New Oil and Natural Gas Study Weighs Economic Benefits for States

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

A new IHS Study measures economic benefits of Unconventional Oil and Gas Production for each State in the United States Lower 48. The study measures the impact in terms of jobs, economic value and government revenue for each state, and is a follow-up to the national-level study which found that unconventional oil and gas production currently supports more than 1.7 million U.S. jobs and will support nearly 3 million by the end of the decade.

To access the study, click here.

Liquefied natural gas exports will help, not harm economy, environment

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

As our nation's leaders work to improve our nation's struggling economy, there is one opportunity we cannot overlook: a responsible exports policy.

U.S. Senators and Representatives from across the country have voiced their support for natural gas exports as a unique American opportunity that will create jobs and strengthen our energy security.