President Donald Trump recently signed two executive orders that will make it easier for companies to build oil and gas pipelines, and more difficult for states to block them. These two executive orders bolster his agenda to create and improve oil and gas infrastructure that will ultimately “unleash American energy.”Trump’s Supportive Oil & Gas HistoryThese two executive orders are not the first ones that encourage oil and gas growth. Within Trump's first month of presidency, he reversed an Obama administration decision by approving construction of the Dakota Access pipeline. Recently, he passed the Keystone XL oil pipeline that was previously overturned by a district judge. Trump’s presidential permit is currently being challenged.Details on the Two Executive OrdersThe first order’s end goal is to make it easier to build oil and gas pipelines, or provide alternative transportation when a pipeline isn’t possible by finding solutions to the current roadblocks:
Asks for the EPA to evaluate a section within the Clean Water Act that requires energy infrastructure projects to obtain state certification if there’s a possibility of pollution in protected waters within a specific time frame
When a pipeline is inaccessible, liquefied natural gas can be transported in approved rail trucks
The Secretary of Labor will complete a review of accessible data filed with the Department of Labor by retirement plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to identify whether there are discernible trends concerning such plans’ investments in the energy sector. This is to promote long-term growth in ERISA plan assets.
The second order gives the president the exclusive responsibility to "issue, deny, or amend" permits for infrastructure projects that cross international boundaries of the United States. When states are involved in the approval and building process, it creates major bottlenecks from the beginning and throughout the building process. Trump views the state’s power in these decisions as outdated and unnecessary. His goal is to end the “war on American Energy”, and have Americans benefit from the land’s natural resources.The Upside for Oil & Gas The two orders are well underway and will receive opposition and criticism. Oil and gas companies should be elated with the measures to reduce development times, create alternative transportation means, and provide an affordable outcome to new businesses and consumers. The United States is reaching record-breaking production levels, and with more accessible ways to develop infrastructure the production and economic opportunities are limitless.
Share
Chase Energy Services
Chase Energy Services is one of the largest privately held integrated oilfield services company in the US, providing end-to-end oilfield services through an experienced management team, innovative technologies and an unrelenting focus on safety. With more than 500 employees, the company serves customers across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas in frac and acidizing, well construction and completion, cementing solutions and well servicing. Learn.More
Chase Energy Services, Inc.11344 Lovington HWYArtesia, NM 88210(575) 748-1288
