Yearly Archives: 2013

Doc Hastings defends fantasy jobs, leaves western water in the dust
2013-03-27
House Natural Resource Committee Chairman Doc Hastings proved again last week that he’s more interested in protecting Big Oil subsidies than taking a smart approach to energy that protects western water. On Friday, the Department of Interior finalized a smart, balanced approach for oil shale on public lands that helps to ensure drought-stricken communities aren’t… Read more »
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Tobacco, Tea Party, and Dirty Energy: Lobbyist C. Boyden Gray
2013-03-25
As someone with deep ties to right-wing political circles, and strong financial ties to the tobacco industry, C. Boyden Gray fits the bill as the ideal lobbyist for the dirty energy industry. Dirty energy in many ways is the successor to the tobacco industry, given how it uses front groups and pundits to avoid public… Read more »
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Colorado oil production up nearly 50 percent since 2010
2013-03-18
According to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) oil production exceeded 48 million barrels in 2012, a 49 percent increase over 2010 levels. The 2012 oil production levels are the highest since 1961 and are in increase of 24 percent over 2011 levels. According to COGCC gas production reached its highest level since… Read more »
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Wall Street Journal Editorial Twists CRS Report Like a Drill Bit
2013-03-13
In an editorial today, the Wall Street Journal claimed a “sharp drop in production on federal lands is the direct result of Obama Administration policies.” They cherry pick statements from a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report to try and support their claim, but ignore sections of the report that directly refute them. The CRS report… Read more »
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Senators get it wrong on oil & gas production at Jewell nomination hearing; Industry is following the oil to nonfederal lands
2013-03-8
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources convened, Thursday, to question President Obama’s Interior Sec. nominee, REI Chief Executive Officer Sally Jewell. The three-hour hearing was generally friendly, but some Senators couldn’t pass up the chance to repeat oil and gas industry talking points, rather than deal in facts. The Checks and Balances Project watched the… Read more »
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Denver Post Looks at Public vs. Private Lands Drilling
2013-03-8
In a post on his “Balance Sheet” blog, Mark Jaffe at the Denver Post wades in to the debate about drilling on public lands. He writes: When Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, he replied, or at least is said to have replied: “Because that’s where the money is.” And so it is… Read more »
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Industry and allies twist facts on U.S. oil and gas production report
2013-03-6
Price and geology have incentivized oil and gas companies to drill on nonfederal lands in recent years.  Yet this fact hasn’t stopped industry group Western Energy Alliance (WEA) and Congressmen Ed Whitfield (R-KY.), who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, from mischaracterizing a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) report on… Read more »
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New Report: Drilling Rigs Following the Oil to Nonfederal Lands
2013-03-5
The Center for Western Priorities released its new Follow the Oil report today. CWP Policy Director, and report author, Greg Zimmerman used GIS mapping technology, EIA data, and other information to show that economic, technological and geological forces are moving drillers to private land. The report includes great infographics, and pretty much flies in the… Read more »
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