Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.energy From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: energy Fri, Apr 17 1992 Date: Fri, 17 Apr 92 05:42:11 EDT Message-ID: 04-17 0000 DECISIONLINE: Energy USA TODAY Update April 17-19, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network DRILLING ISSUE KEY TO STRATEGY: The question of whether to boost the nation's reliance on offshore oil and natural gas reserves is fueling a fiery debate. President Bush and Democratic congressional leaders have vowed to enact an energy strategy this year. But the offshore drilling issue, which pits the need to find domestic energy sources against concern for the USA's coastal environment, is a major hurdle. (For more, see special Drilling package below.) GAS PRICES HIGHER: Gasoline led energy futures higher on the New York Mercantile Exchange for the second straight day Thursday. Buying was prompted by an Energy Department report late Wednesday that showed U.S. gasoline stocks fell 4.8 million barrels last week. The May delivery contract for wholesale unleaded regular rose to 61.15 cents a gallon, up 1.78 for the day and down .24 cent for the week. NATURAL GAS ENDS WEEK UP: Crude oil and other energy futures prices closed higher at the Mercantile Exchange Thursday. Light sweet crude oil for May delivery rose 34 cents to $20.21 a barrel. For the week, crude fell 23 cents. May natural gas rose to $1.361 per 1,000 cubic feet, up 2.1 cents for the day and up .67 cent for the week. The petroleum market is closed for Good Friday. API ENDS ANWR LOBBYING EFFORT: The American Petroleum Institute, the oil industry's trade group, has canceled its campaign to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil development, leaving Alaska as the lone drilling advocate. The refuge is considered by oil industry advocates as the most promising onshore location for a giant oil discovery in North America. NEV. BREAKS OFF TALKS WITH DOE: Nevada Gov. Robert Miller Thursday broke off preliminary contacts with the U.S. Department of Energy over nuclear waste dump studies at Yucca Mountain, saying DOE was trying to turn noncommittal meetings into negotiation session. Miller is opposed to the department's plans to dump the USA's nuclear waste in Nevada. STANDARDS TO BECOME STRICTER: Emissions, fuel economy and safety standards will become more restrictive over the next eight years, says the Delphi VI Forecast and Analysis of the U.S. Automotive Industry Through the Year 2000. The study, published by the University of Michigan Transportation Institute, is a detailed analysis of forecasts by three panels of industry executives, directors, managers and engineers. SPILL CLEANUP MADE WORKERS SICK: Workers who say they've suffered after their exposure to harsh cleansers and oil fumes during the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup are suing. The first of several lawsuits filed in federal and state courts against Exxon Corp., Exxon Shipping Co. and Exxon Pipeline Co., along with two contractors that helped clean up the 11 million-gallon spill, is expected to go to trial in May. EXXON SAYS IT FOLLOWED REGS: Workers suing Exxon Corp. and others involved in the cleanup of Exxon Valdez oil spill claim to have suffered skin lesions, neurological disorders, respiratory problems and other side effects as a result of their exposure to chemicals. Exxon spokesman Bill Smith says, "Exxon and its contractors complied with all applicable state and federal safety regulations. ... " OIL RECYCLING PLAN ANNOUNCED: Kentucky and oil industry officials announced Thursday a program to collect and recycle used motor oil. Natural Resources Secretary Phil Shepherd said 141 locations in 48 counties have already been selected as collection sites. The collection centers will not take other petroleum products. It will be supported by an ad campaign emphasizing the environmental benefits of recycling used motor oil. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON DRILLING: ISSUE A QUESTION OF TWO TRUTHS: The offshore oil drilling issue, says Rep. Walter Jones, D-N.C., chairman of the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, is a question of "two truths." "First oil and gas resources ... have been productive sources of domestic energy," he said. "Second, offshore drilling has become a lightning rod for serious environmental concerns and strong, community-based opposition." BILL EASES LEASING PROCESS: The Senate passed its version of the energy bill in mid-February, drawing heavily on proposals from the Bush administration that would pave the way for more drilling in the nation's coastal waters. Among other things, the bill streamlines the process by which the federal government leases offshore tracts to private companies for oil and gas exploration. FUND CALLED A `BRIBE': The Senate energy bill sets up a system whereby 12.5% of the government's millions of dollars in revenue from royalties and fees on offshore leases would be distributed to states and communities affected by drilling operations. Several coastal-state senators, led by Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., attacked the bill, characterizing the so-called "impact assistance" fund as a "bribe." ADMINISTRATION OPPOSES BANS: The House is drafting its version of the energy bill, and anti-drilling lawmakers are pushing provisions to subject almost all offshore areas to long-term bans on new leasing. Should a House energy bill pass, it would have to be reconciled with the Senate measure. Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan has said he will urge Bush to veto any bill that would further restrict offshore drilling. (End of package.) Energy Editor: William Snoddy. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM