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WASHINGTON
- September 24 - Last night, the Republicans released their proposed energy bill onshore oil and gas provisions, which essentially ensure that our traditional public land values - including water, wildlife and wildlife habitat, private property rights, and wild land, archeological, cultural, and historical values -- take a back seat to oil and gas development.
As a follow-up punch, the Bush Administration and its allies in the oil and gas industry hope to significantly influence America's natural gas debate through the release of two new reports: the forthcoming Republican Natural Gas Task Force report and the National Petroleum Council's gas supply report (scheduled for release on September 25th). The anticipated message: there is a vast amount of natural gas residing beneath federal lands, but excessive "restrictions and impediments" are keeping this critical resource away from American consumers.
Below are resources you may find useful when assessing the upcoming reports.
The Facts Behind the National Petroleum Council (NPC)
A review of the roster of NPC members suggests that the task force included no constituencies other than those industries that stand to benefit financially from the implementation of the report's recommendations.
The National Petroleum Council's website, with links to a list of its members.
The Center for Responsive Politics' chart detailing the Oil and Gas Industry's long-term trend in campaign contributions.
The Economic Realities Behind the "Natural Gas Crisis"
A balanced discussion about the so-called "natural gas crisis" should begin with an honest assessment of the economics.
Oral testimony by Wilderness Society Economist Dr. Pete Morton to the House Task Force on Affordable Natural Gas on August 25, 2003 about the economic realities behind the "natural gas crisis" that threatens Western public land.
Contact: Dr. Peter Morton, The Wilderness Society, 303-650-5818 x105.
Testimony from Goldman, Sachs & Co Managing Director Dr. Jeffrey R. Currie to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 10, 2003, which points to inadequate gas storage as the cause of natural gas price spikes.
Written testimony by Wilderness Society Economist Dr. Pete Morton to the House Task Force on Affordable Natural Gas on August 25, 2003 about the economic realities behind the "natural gas crisis" that threatens Western public land
Contact: Dr. Peter Morton, The Wilderness Society, 303-650-5818 x105.
The Truth Behind "Restrictions and Impediments"-and the Impact On the Ground in Wyoming
The industry complains that environmental safeguards included in federal onshore oil and gas leases represent significant impediments. In reality, the BLM frequently waives protective "stipulations" (lease conditions usually designed to protect wildlife) and a January DOI report detailed the ready availability of 85% or more of the oil & gas resources on federal land.
The Wilderness Society's fact sheet that responds to the Interior Department's January 2003 study of "restrictions and impediments" to the development of oil and gas resources in the Rocky Mountain region.
Contact: Dave Alberswerth, The Wilderness Society, (202) 429-2695.
The BLM's Pinedale, WY field office's overview of drilling exemptions for the 2002-2003 winter stipulation season for sage grouse, raptors, and big game.
Contact: Peter Aengst, The Wilderness Society, 406-586-1600.
Testimony presented by John Amos of Skytruth to the House Resources Committee on September 18, 2003, illustrating the impact of modern onshore natural gas development in Wyoming (1.3 Mb) Contact: John Amos, Skytruth, (703) 276-9790.
Solutions: Efficiency and Renewables
Although the National Petroleum Council and other industry groups assert that the only way to lower gas prices is to increase drilling on public lands, a far more economically and environmentally sound approach would be provided by proven energy efficiency measures and a greater reliance on renewable energy to generate electricity.
A new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy shows that America's natural gas consumers could save $75 billion over the next five years if gas and electric consumers used proven energy efficiency measures and if utilities relied on more renewable energy to generate electricity.
Contacts: David Wooley, Vice President, Energy Foundation, (415) 561-6700; Alan Nogee, Union of Concerned Scientists, (617) 547-5552.
Fact sheet from Western Resource Advocates and others that reviews the natural gas situation and the role that energy efficiency and renewables can play in reducing demand.
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