Dedicated to where the energy geosciences, public policy, politics, and business meet—both in the United States and abroad.

Energy Policy Blog

A cautionary tale on the use of scientific data.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

Senate bill S. 761, the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, passed the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is expected to be voted on by the full Senate during the week of July 29.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

The Reformulated Fuel Standard (RFS) was established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and was expanded and extended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). RFS requires set volumes of biofuel (ethanol, biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuels) be blended into motor vehicle fuels.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

The Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreements Authorization Act (H.R. 1613) passed the House on June 27, 2013 with a bipartisan vote of 256-171. The bill, sponsored by Representatives Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Doc Hastings (R-WA), and Matt Salmon (R-AZ), would enact the terms of an agreement signed in February 2012 by the Obama Administration and Mexico to govern how to explore, develop, and share revenue from oil and natural gas resources along the maritime border in the Gulf of Mexico. The bill awaits consideration by the Senate.

Show more
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

The President announced his Climate Action Plan at a speech at Georgetown University on June 25. The President also stated that he would reject the Keystone XL pipeline project if it “significantly exacerbates the problem of carbon pollution.” Pundits expect this language means that he will approve the pipeline permit.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

For the past decade, wind has been the fastest growing energy technology worldwide, with an annual growth rate of over 30 percent. By the end of 2012, wind turbines supplied 282.5 GW of electricity worldwide and wind energy comprised 3.5 percent of US energy generation. However, technical and cultural barriers have thus far prevented wind power from contributing more substantially to world energy needs. Most significantly, winds are intermittent, and other sources of baseload power are needed when wind speeds are too low or too high for turbines to generate electricity.

Show more
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

The state of Wyoming announced on June 20 that it will further investigate drinking-water quality in areas east of Pavillion, Wyo. With this announcement the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ended its study and withdrew its draft report.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

The Federal government spends about $3 billion each year to encourage and support students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has established the Ocean Energy Safety Institute to “provide a forum for dialogue, shared learning and cooperative research among academia, government, industry and other non-government organizations in offshore-related technologies and activities that ensure safe operations with limited impact to the environment.”

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)
Energy Policy Blog

Subsidized production of ethanol generates strong opinions. Either it is saving the world from greenhouse gas emissions or endangering our food and water. This blog has a few unbiased statistics to guide your opinion.

American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)

Energy Policy Blog RSS

Energy Policy Office

Other AAPG Blogs