Energy Tomorrow Radio: Episode 83 - Current Energy Legislation
Jane Van Ryan
Posted June 9, 2009
In this week's episode, I talk with Kevin Book, a principal at ClearView Energy Partners, LLC, about energy legislation being considered in Congress. We also briefly discuss energy security issues and the recent rise in oil and gasoline prices.
Use the audio player below to listen, and follow along with the show notes. I hope you find the podcast informative.
And for more information, read ClearView Energy Partner's Summer Energy Outlook. Feel free to leave a question in the comments section of this post.
Show Notes:
00:26 Jane welcomes Kevin Book to the show and references his new energy consulting firm, ClearView Energy Partners, LLC.
00:55 Jane asks Kevin how the Waxman-Markey bill might affect energy in the United States.
01:12 The Waxman-Markey bill is more than a cap-and-trade program; it also includes new standards for coal-fired power plants, an efficiency standard and a renewable fuel standard.
01:37 A cap-and-trade policy cannot be implemented without consequently raising energy costs.
02:39 The Waxman-Markey bill is less radical than many of the other proposals out there, but it will cost a lot of money.
04:03 The Waxman-Markey bill will be passed through the House and Senate and enacted because it represents a compromise that can be supported by members of Congress.
07:00 Jane asks Kevin for his thoughts on the House Natural Resources Committee's draft bill which restructures the leasing of federal lands for energy projects.
07:38 The House draft bill is problematic in two ways: it hurts smaller oil and natural gas companies and de facto blocks offshore drilling.
11:30 The new energy tax proposals would actively inhibit American job creation as well as U.S, energy security; increasing tax rates on any commodity tends to reduce the amount that is produced.
11:45 The federal royalties generated from U.S. offshore and onshore oil and natural gas assets, as well as coal, added up to approximately $25 billion last year.
12:31 Gasoline prices always have gone up during the summer driving season for two reasons: increased demand, as well as the change in the grade of gasoline during the summer to conform to clean air rules on a state and federal basis.