Daily News Energy Headlines from February 17, 2017

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News highlights gathered by Industrial Info and IIR Energy (Sugar Land, Texas) dealing with the energy markets.

PRODUCTION
U.S. Oil Drillers Add Rigs for Fifth Straight Week - U.S. oil drillers added six rigs for the week ending February 17, marking the fifth consecutive week of additions and bringing the total rig count up to 597, compared to 413 rigs a year ago. (Reuters)

POLITICS
Senate Approves Trump Pick for EPA - The U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's pick to run the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday over the objections of Democrats and environmentalists, as the administration readies executive orders to ease regulation on drillers and miners. (Reuters)

PIPELINES
Reuters: Kinder Morgan Begins Talks With Investors for Trans Mountain Pipeline - Kinder Morgan Incorporated (NYSE:KMI) has begun talks with institutional investors including major Canadian pension funds and private equity firms to raise capital for the $5.2 billion expansion of its Trans Mountain pipeline project, people familiar with the process told Reuters.

POWER
Turning Away from Merchant Generation, AEP Unveils $17.3 Billion Capital Budget in Regulated Markets - American Electric Power Company Incorporated (NYSE:AEP) (Columbus, Ohio) last month finalized the sale of four power plants in the competitive PJM Interconnection market, netting about $2.1 billion, which it intends to invest in its regulated transmission operations. The sale, first announced last September, is an important step AEP is taking to exit competitive power markets and focus on its regulated utility business. (IIR)

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About Industrial Info
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. Follow IIR on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn. For more information on our coverage, send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.com or visit us online at http://www.industrialinfo.com.