The president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce writes that the Green New Deal—a sweeping proposal to “save the planet,” is no laughing matter since the legislation’s ultimate objective is to give government unprecedented power over people’s lives and the entire economy. Chamber CEO Thomas J. Donohue notes that, among other “modest” goals, authors of the Green New Deal intend to eliminate fossil fuels altogether. “Good luck to the 3.4 million Americans who would lose their jobs as a result—not to mention anyone who drives a car. But the dream of making fossil fuel go the way of the dinosaur is hardly the most absurd element of this program.” While not in the legislation, the bill’s early background documents outlined plans to eliminate...

Bowdon, Ga. (February 20, 2019) — Blossman Gas, Inc., the largest privately held propane company in the United States, has acquired Southern LP Gas, Inc. of Bowdon, Georgia. Southern LP Gas, Inc. has been in business for nearly 35 years. When asked about the decision to choose Blossman Gas for the sale, former president of Southern LP Gas, Inc., Paul Widener, said “We knew the organization as a competitor, because there was a location about a mile from our office. Over the years, there seemed to be a sense of integrity and professionalism. We also saw the longevity of their employees and felt there must be a good reason for their loyalty. Then, at the first meeting with Blossman, they shared their belief that employees...

The Petroleum Equipment & Services Association (PESA) has performed a diversity study across the oil and gas industry’s service, supply, and manufacturing organizations to analyze the current state, in-flow, and out-flow of female talent, and has identified actions organizations can take to advance women into greater leadership positions. PESA notes that the oil and gas industry has historically struggled with attracting and retaining female talent. In the U.S., women comprise 47% of the work-force, and 15% within the oil and gas sector overall. Today, women represent 16% of the U.S. service, manufacturing, and supply sectors of the oil and gas industry workforce. Only 8% of U.S.-based technical operational roles—manufacturing, field engineer—within the sector are filled by women, and more than 80% of study respondents have...

The Trump administration said Jan. 28 it would sanction Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA; Caracas), Venezuela’s state-owned oil and natural gas company, a move that could suspend about 500,000 bbld of the country’s crude exports to U.S. Gulf Coast refineries and shut down U.S. exports of diluents to the South American nation, reports S&P Global Platts. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin down-played the impact of the sanctions on the oil market, maintaining they were unlikely to have any impact on domestic fuel prices. He said that Venezuelan oil comprises a “rather moderate portion” of U.S. supply and that refiners have largely reduced their imports of Venezuelan crude as sanctions loomed. “We’re very comfortable that [U.S. refiners] have enough supply that we don’t expect any big...

Uxbridge, Mass.-based Martin’s Oil & Gas has joined Paraco Gas (Rye Brook, N.Y.) Martin’s, a family-owned business, was founded by David Martin in 1985 and grew to serve 500 propane customers. Paraco Gas, also a family-owned and-operated business, has been serving Worcester County, Mass. since 2007. Martin’s will continue to operate its oil business independently as Martin’s Oil. “Paraco has been serving Martin’s Oil & Gas Inc. with propane product for many years,” said company president David Martin. “They already know our customers’ needs and our supply demands very well, so this will be an easy and seamless transition.” “Our belief that every customer is important is the cornerstone of our company and we are proud of the level of service that our customers have...

President Donald Trump’s push to open more federal lands to oil and gas development, and roll back environmental regulations this year, will likely depend on how well the administration fares in court, observes Argus Media. The administration aims to begin oil leasing in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), open areas for drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and hold the first lease sale in Arctic waters since 2008. It is also trying to relax regulations for offshore drilling safety, methane emissions, and fuel-economy standards for cars and trucks. But environmentalists and a coalition of states plan to fight those initiatives by filing lawsuits at each step of the process. Critics of the administration’s energy policies will seek to replicate recent court victories,...

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