Texas, North Dakota, Alaska, and Oklahoma are four of the five top oil- and natural gas-producing states, and they derive a significant share of their unrestricted operating revenues from taxes on oil and natural gas production. Although California produces more oil than both Alaska and Oklahoma, its economy is much larger, making it relatively less affected by changes in oil and natural gas prices and production.
Tesla can now sell directly to consumers in New Jersey
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed a bill that will let Tesla sell its electric cars directly to consumers — handing Elon Musk’s company a major victory over traditional dealerships that opposed the move.
Iran’s nuclear deal could open oil flood
Iranian exports in recent years have been essentially capped by Western sanctions aimed at pressuring Tehran over its nuclear ambitions. A deal easing those sanctions could eventually translate into half a million barrels or more a day in Iranian crude heading into a currently glutted global market.
Why ethanol ain’t going away anytime soon
At the Iowa Ag Summit in early March, only two of the GOP “contenders” outright called for an end to ethanol subsidies; Texas Senator Ted Cruz and former New York Governor George Pataki. Every one else kissed Big Corn’s ring.
Elon Musk says Tesla software update will eliminate range anxiety
From Elon Musk’s Twitter feed, @elonmusk: Tesla press conf at 9am on Thurs. About to end range anxiety … via OTA software update. Affects entire Model S fleet.
NY Times fails to disclose oil funding behind pro-oil op-ed
The New York Times recently published an op-ed attacking renewable fuels from the Manhattan Institute’s Robert Bryce without disclosing his ties to the oil industry, despite a directive from its former public editor for the paper to fully disclose its op-ed contributors’ financial conflicts of interest.
If Alaska is the canary in the climate coal mine, we’re in trouble
Alaska is heating up at twice the rate of the rest of the country—a canary in our climate coal mine. A new report shows that warming in Alaska, along with the rest of the Arctic, is accelerating as the loss of snow and ice cover begins to set off a feedback loop of further warming.
At last, a Western country stands up to Saudi Arabia on human rights
The Swedish government this week decided to scrap an arms deal with Saudi Arabia, effectively bringing to an end a decade-old defense agreement with the kingdom. The move followed complaints made by the Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom that she was blocked by the Saudis from speaking about democracy and women’s rights at a gathering of the Arab League in Cairo.
Oil-price drop cuts tax revenues in highest-producing states
Texas, North Dakota, Alaska, and Oklahoma are four of the five top oil- and natural gas-producing states, and they derive a significant share of their unrestricted operating revenues from taxes on oil and natural gas production. Although California produces more oil than both Alaska and Oklahoma, its economy is much larger, making it relatively less affected by changes in oil and natural gas prices and production.
Canada proposes stricter standards on oil-train cars
Canada proposed tough new oil tank car standards on Wednesday and said even improved tank cars coming into service now would have to be off the rails by 2025 at the latest. The announcement comes after a rash of fiery derailments in Canada and the United States, including some that involved the newer, improved rail cars.
Unlike temperatures, climate change deniers are falling fast
If you’re hoping to deny the reality of global warming, things aren’t looking so good for you right now. A couple of events are making it ever more clear that those vocal about it are in trouble. Deservedly.