Every year, the US Department of Energy puts out a statistical analysis of the country’s oil and natural gas standing. How much we’re using, how much we’re buying, that kind of thing. This Annual Energy Outlook (AEO), which is produced by the DOE’s statistics branch, the Energy Information Agency, also includes a prediction on the country’s net oil and gas usage over the next few years. This year’s AEO had some pretty big surprises for not only the industry, but the entire world.
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National Anti-Fracking Protestors Descend on Colorado
In the growing debate over hydraulic fracturing, it would seem that Colorado is steadily becoming the front line for both the oil and gas industry and fracking protestors. In light of recent legislation failures in the state, though, there’s evidence to suggest the controversy is more hype than reality.
Health Concerns Continue to Dwindle with Latest Statement from CO Chief Medical Officer
Weld County, Colorado produces 90 percent of the state’s oil. Despite all of this oil production, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has not seen any indication that the general health of this community has been affected by this work.
“I’m not going to tell anybody to go drink a pint of liquid petroleum or stand over an active well site and wave the fumes in to breath them in,” executive director and chief medical officer for the health department, Dr. Larry Wolk explained. “Nobody would argue that this stuff isn’t toxic, but it’s all about exposure to toxins, and we don’t see anything to be concerned with at this point in time.”
No, Fracking Isn’t Going to Destroy the Environment
In spite of very vocal objections to hydraulic fracturing from environmentalists, emerging science and financial numbers indicate that fracking isn’t nearly as harmful as its opponents would have you believe.
Colorado to Lose 500 MW of Coal Power in Coming Years
In an effort to improve air quality statewide, two coal-fired power plants will shut down in the coming years, according to an announcement made last week. The closing of both plants, located on the Western Slope, will reduce carbon dioxide emission by an estimated 4 million tons per year, while also eliminating thousands of tons of other pollutants. Of course, those numbers fail to take into account the human element at stake.