Virginia Archives - Page 5 of 18 - Checks and Balances Project

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 »

Eyes on Enefit: Conflicting Claims

2013-03-5

For over a century, conflicting claims have surrounded the rock called oil shale. Estonian oil shale company Eesti Energia, and its U.S. arm, Enefit, are no exception to this rule. Whether it’s company executives, other oil executives or financial experts, we’ve seen numerous inconsistencies about Enefit’s financial health, technological capability, impact on the environment, and… Read more »

2013-02-28

This week, Alan Prendergast wrote in Westword about a new Environment Colorado campaign to protect Colorado’s national parks from drilling: “When you’re a bureaucrat under fire, accused of being a tool of Big Oil, there’s nothing like a big, wet kiss from your critics to let you know you’re being watched — closely. Particularly if… Read more »

2013-02-27

Eesti Energia, known as Enefit in the U.S., has been under fire from both the Estonian press and high-level Estonian officials for its poor investment record. As Raimo Poom, a columnist for Estonian publication Eesti Paevaleht wrote: “Eesti Energia’s plan to build up a huge shale oil industry raises a lot of questions; financing the… Read more »

2013-02-14

In Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, President Barack Obama stated: “Now, in the meantime, the natural gas boom has led to cleaner power and greater energy independence. We need to encourage that. That’s why my administration will keep cutting red tape and speeding up new oil and gas permits.” House Natural Resources Committee… Read more »

2013-02-6

Today, President Obama nominated Sally Jewell as the next Secretary of the Interior. Ms. Jewell would bring a diverse and accomplished background to the department. She is well positioned to expand upon the Administration’s balanced approach toward energy development on public lands. This approach is necessary to reign in oil and gas companies that act… Read more »

2013-02-5

Today Former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt outlined a vision for balanced public land management in a speech at the National Press Club. Secretary Babbitt urged President Obama to permanently protect one acre of public lands – potentially as a national park, wilderness area, or national monument – for every one acre of our… Read more »

2013-02-5

“It’s disappointing to see Rep. Whitfield and House Republicans recycling the same old failed energy ideas. Despite being awarded billions in taxpayer funds, all these oil shale speculators have to show is failure. We need real energy solutions, not more speculation and failed investments,” said Ellynne Bannon, western lands program manager for the Checks and… Read more »

2013-02-4

“All it takes is one spill, and we’re toast.” – rancher, Landon Deane “I can’t guarantee you there won’t be a spill,” – Colorado BLM deputy state director for energy and minerals, Lonny Bagley Worried what unchecked oil and gas drilling would do to their communities and livelihoods, Coloradans are up in arms about the… Read more »

2013-01-14

Colorado Congressman Scott Tipton’s close and questionable ties to oil companies have been a source of controversy since he was first elected. These include: His campaign contributions from oil companies; His financial investments in oil companies lobbying for the Keystone Pipeline – which he voted in favor of , and His ties to SG Interests,… Read more »