Why it's tough to wean the West off Russian oil and gas

Feb 24, 2022
For 15 years the EU has been talking about decreasing its dependence on Russia's gas and oil, but it didn't do it intime.
Russia is the main supplier of natural gas and oil to the European Union. Above, oil tank cars on rail tracks near the Siberian town of Tobolsk.
Andrei Borodulin/AFP Getty Images

Biden administration auctions oil and gas leases on 1.7 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico

Nov 19, 2021
A court ordered the administration to resume the auctions it had suspended.
Drilling of the newly auctioned Gulf of Mexico gas and oil leases likely won't begin for seven to 10 years. Above, a drilling platform off the coast of Texas.
Tom Pennington via Getty Images

Biden administration considers its options as gas prices rise

Nov 18, 2021
Officials are considering releasing oil from the strategic reserve. They’re also pushing the FTC to investigate possible price gouging.
There are several factors that go into why the price for gas can be so different from country to country.
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

Texas governor pledges to "mandate and fund" winterization of power grid

Feb 25, 2021
While the mandate deals with the power problem, gas and water are not addressed.
The state needs to be prepared to prevent extreme cold from paralyzing the electric power system.
Matthew Busch/AFP via Getty Images

More people unable to pay utility bills, with colder months coming

Nov 13, 2020
Electric and gas debt is expected to be more than $24 billion by the end of this year, at least three times what it was last year.
The protections against shut-offs are lifting and disconnections have already begun.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

How is it that gas prices can be so different block to block?

Apr 29, 2019
Drivers know that gas prices can be kind of all over the map. It varies quite a bit by state. And sometimes you find notable differences between stations in the same confined area, even though most factors affecting cost such as local taxes, the cost of crude, transportation fees,  are applicable to all stations in […]
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

OPEC fights falling prices with production cuts

Dec 7, 2018
Analysts say OPEC's decision is less about raising prices, and more about stopping them from falling further.

For public good, not for profit.

New U.S. coal consumption figures show industry’s decline

Dec 5, 2018
Economic forces will determine the future of coal, even if environmental regulations are loosened.
A piece of coal is held up at the Savage Energy Terminal on Aug. 26, 2016 in Price, Utah.
George Frey/Getty Images

OPEC set to meet with an eye on cutting oil production

Dec 5, 2018
OPEC oil producing countries are scheduled to meet in Vienna on Thursday to discuss possible production cuts as a way to boost prices. Oil prices have been sliding in recent months. At the recent G-20 meeting, Russian and Saudi Arabian leaders signaled a willingness to work toward cuts, but what might that mean? Click the […]

Qatar leaving OPEC to focus on natural gas

Dec 3, 2018
The Persian Gulf state of Qatar, one of the smallest members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, will leave the cartel in January after nearly six decades. Qatar said the move allows it to focus on its natural gas industry. Qatar’s decision says a lot about the growth of natural gas in the world’s […]