IL fracking fight now only between green groups

By   /  May 21, 2013  /  Energy, Illinois, News  /  No Comments

Oil Drilling Illinois

SPRINGFIELD — When environmental activists half-heartedly chanted “shame” as an Illinois legislative panel gave the first approval to high-volume hydraulic fracturing regulations, they were speaking as much to other green groups as they were to lawmakers.

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Incentives pull labor unions into IL fracking deal

By   /  May 16, 2013  /  Energy, Illinois, News  /  No Comments

AP photo

By Benjamin Yount | Illinois Watchdog
SPRINGFIELD —  Illinois is going to use the carrot and not the stick to get oil and gas companies to hire local, union workers if and when the drillers come to the state.
A new agreement reached Wednesday at the statehouse that sets rules for high-volume hydraulic fracturing has the backing of organized [...]

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Japanese officials tour New Mexico in search of natural gas deal

By   /  May 15, 2013  /  Energy, Featured, New Mexico, News  /  No Comments

LET'S MAKE A DEAL: Japanese energy executive Hidehiro Muramatsu (left) talks to Lt. Governor John Sanchez about a proposed trade deal that would send New Mexico natural gas to Japan. New Mexico Watchdog photo.

By Rob Nikolewski | New Mexico Watchdog

SANTA FE — It’s not just a pipe dream: Japan is interested in acquiring natural gas from New Mexico.

But whether it will ever get across the Pacific Ocean is an open question.

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NM Democratic senator challenges Obama on sequestration hit

By   /  May 9, 2013  /  Energy, Featured, mining, New Mexico, News  /  No Comments

FIGHTING BACK: New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall has put himself in opposition to the Obama administration when it comes to its decision to seize mineral and energy dollars from states.

Sen. Tom Udall has been a loyal supporter of President Obama, but the New Mexico Democrat is at odds over a move to take $26 million from the state in mineral and energy royalties.

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Lawsuits likely after NM county passes ban on oil and gas drilling

By   /  May 6, 2013  /  Energy, Environment, Environmental, Featured, Local Government, National, New Mexico, News  /  1 Comment

Commissioners in a rural part of the state have approved the only countywide ordinance in the nation specifically prohibiting all oil and gas drilling.

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