Imagine if you will if King Fahd of Saudi Arabia declared that the most oil-rich nation in the world would no longer supply its “black gold” to the world. Can you imagine the anarchy that would take place?

In the United States, President Obama and the EPA have gone rogue on fossil fuels in an apparent attempt to eliminate all carbon-based fuels as an energy source in this nation.

First, it was the “War on Coal.” Now, it’s the “not-so-surprise attack” on oil and natural gas.

Just when West Virginia residents thought that things couldn’t get any worse following the over-reach by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency following the announcement of the Clean Power Plan, the EPA shows that it can and will if it has its way.

Already, the Clean Power Plan calls for a 35 percent reduction from 2005 levels in carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants by 2030.

Now the Obama administration has turned its attack on methane gas emissions from the nation’s oil and gas industry. The federal agency’s proposed rule would cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 40-45 percent by 2025, based on 2012 levels.

The rule would require the industry to curb methane emissions from new and modified sources by: Finding and repairing leaks; capturing natural gas from the completion of hydraulically fractured wells; limiting emissions from pneumatic pumps; and limiting emissions from equipment used at natural gas compressor stations.

It doesn’t seem to matter that natural gas is a much cleaner form of energy than coal. Not to mention with the discovery of the Marcellus and Utica shales, companies are poised to supply the Eastern United States with a cheap and cleaner form of energy for the next 100 or more years.

It doesn’t seem to matter that for the first time ever that our nation has become a net exporter of energy and for the first-time since the 1950s. America will not see its transfer of wealth continue to be exchanged for Middle-Eastern oil and supporting nations that sponsor terrorism.

It doesn’t seem to matter that these rogue policies from the Obama Administration and the EPA will drive the cost of electricity to unprecedented heights that will wreck our economy and kill jobs across the nation. All of this while China, India and Germany continue to utilize carbon fuels to drive their economic growth.

Industry representatives and the state’s congressional representatives released statements Tuesday criticizing the rule.

Marty Durbin, president and chief executive officer for America’s Natural Gas Alliance, pointed to the progress the industry has already made in curbing methane emissions.

“Since 2005, natural gas producers have cut methane emissions 38 percent, while increasing production 35 percent. This impressive record has been accomplished through existing regulations and industry innovation,” Durbin said. “With further improvements certain to continue, we believe new and additional regulations are both unnecessary and counterproductive.”

Both U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., were sharply critical of the proposed rule on methane emissions.

“More overreach from the EPA is the last thing we need right now,” Manchin said.
“This administration has already taken an ax to our coal jobs, and now it is targeting our thriving natural gas industry, which has already made significant progress in reducing methane emissions.”

“EPA’s own data shows that methane emissions from natural gas drilling have gone down significantly over the last decade despite the rapid rise in production,” Capito said. “Yet the administration continues its crusade against fossil fuels regardless of its own data and the threat to jobs and affordable energy for American families.

Fortunately, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And according to Forbes Magazine, it is that of a coal train.

The chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, Steve Forbes, told Metronews on Wednesday that the next occupant of the White House will lead a resurgence in coal if that person is a Republican.

Let’s hope that regardless of who the next president is following next year’s election that they understand the importance of clean coal and cleaner natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales to a resurgent economy and a strong nation as we face the threats and challengers of the ever-changing global landscape.

How presidential hopefuls plan to balance energy independence and climate change should be a pivotal part of both parties’ campaign platforms.