Focus

The Hewlett Foundation has announced a $10 million energy initiative that will focus on energy supply and conservation issues in California and the Intermountain West and support the development of comprehensive, balanced and practical national energy policy options.

A western senator yesterday urged Capitol Hill lawmakers not to spend too much time on the issue of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge because, he cautions, it’s not going to get through Congress.

Unless there is a “major breakthrough in the Lower 48” in the next five years, Houston-based Apache Corp.’s COO sees its energy future outside of the United States, most likely in Canada, Egypt and Australia. F. Steven Farris also told Banc of America Securities Conference attendees that Apache plans to soon sell $250 million in assets, mostly related to a recent Canadian acquisition.

Unless there is a “major breakthrough in the Lower 48” in the next five years, Houston-based Apache Corp.’s COO sees its energy future outside of the United States, most likely in Canada, Egypt and Australia. F. Steven Farris also told Banc of America Securities Conference attendees that Apache plans to soon sell $250 million in assets, mostly related to a recent Canadian acquisition.

Legislation that would extend the tax credits for coalbed methane and other varieties of natural gas got a thumbs up from a variety of supporters last week, with the House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures (SRM) subcommittee hearing testimony from both industry and consumer groups in support of the extension and other issues to sustain and improve U.S. energy production.

Legislation that would extend the tax credits for coalbed methane and other varieties of natural gas got a thumbs up from a variety of supporters this week, with the House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures (SRM) subcommittee hearing testimony from both industry and consumer groups in support of the extension and other issues to sustain and improve U.S. energy production.

In a place where he could put his point across no more clearly — a room full of Associated Press journalists — Vice President Dick Cheney last Monday used a Canadian pulpit to begin the official push for advancing the Bush Administration’s official energy policy. Cheney noted that without a solid energy plan, the entire country faces future energy shortages similar to California’s current crisis.

Phillips Petroleum reported on Tuesday that it is making numerous management changes and creating a new worldwide gas division to better focus on the company’s worldwide gas strategy. Laura Sugg, previously the new business ventures manager for the corporation, has been elected to the position of vice president of worldwide gas, effective April 1. Joseph High will make the move from his current position as vice president of human resources for the components and packaged applications group of Rockwell Automation to the post of vice president of human resources for the corporation, effective April 15. Don Duncan, manager of federal relations since 1993, has been elected vice president of government relations, effective April 1. Former assistant treasurer Jeff Sheets, effective April 1, took his newly elected position of vice president and treasurer. Fran Vallejo, currently strategic transactions and planning manager in the company’s corporate strategy and development group, has been elected assistant treasurer, effective May 1. Edd Grigsby, vice president of investor and public relations, has announced that he will retire after 39 years of service on July 1. Effective May 1, Grigsby will continue to be responsible for public relations, but he will also be on special assignment to Jim Mulva, chairman and CEO. Clayton Reasor, currently commercial services resource area manager for Phillips’ Norway division, has been named manager of investor relations beginning on May 1.

Florida may be at the center of another controversy between the two Bush brothers, but this time it won’t involve a recount, but rather states’ rights versus federal authority – federal authority that through the Clinton administration had favored and supported states’ rights to ban offshore drilling. This time, the brothers could be on opposite sides.