Consumers, Businesses, and Manufacturers Voice Support for Offshore Energy
Over 100 Entities Weigh in With Obama Administration
WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#CEA–In a letter
sent to U.S. President Barack Obama and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell
today, groups representing consumers, businesses, and manufacturers from
across the country urged the Obama administration to preserve its
proposed 2017-2022 offshore oil and natural gas lease sales for the Gulf
of Mexico and Alaska’s Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and Cook Inlet without
any additional removals and not to take any executive actions that would
remove these or any other areas from consideration under future offshore
leasing programs. A decision on the 2017-2022 leasing program is
expected in November.
Spearheaded by Consumer
Energy Alliance in partnership with the National
Association of Manufacturers and U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, the letter effort secured 107 signatories
representing a multitude of sectors including agriculture,
manufacturing, transportation, and construction.
“Thanks to the U.S. Energy Revolution, American families and businesses
have more energy security and are more energy self-sufficient today than
we have been in decades – despite efforts by a few vocal agitators who
want to stop any and all energy development at the expense of American
jobs, businesses and families across the nation,” said Consumer
Energy Alliance President David Holt. “The broad geographic and
economic spectrum reflected in today’s letter underscores the critical
importance of America’s offshore energy resources to a multitude of
communities and businesses throughout the economy. We need to start
adopting common-sense approaches that support rational, logical,
fact-based dialogue and reject a “just say NO” energy strategy. It is
time we take accountability through responsible energy development that
protects not only the environment but hard-working people in our
communities.”
In the letter, over 100 organizations noted that domestic
offshore oil and natural gas development helps a diverse range of
interests across the U.S. economy more affordably and reliably meet
their energy needs, while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs and
our environmental security. They went on to say that offshore
development also generates tens of billions of dollars in economic
activity and government revenue, and safeguards U.S. national security
by reducing our exposure to geopolitical uncertainty and decreasing our
dependence on foreign sources of energy.
“Manufacturers need adequate, secure, reliable and affordable energy and
raw materials to compete in the global marketplace and a strong plan to
develop energy offshore is vital to manufacturers’ success,” said Ross
Eisenberg, National Association of Manufacturers Vice President of
Energy and Resources Policy. “The Administration faces a critical
decision as it finalizes its offshore leasing plan: will manufacturers
continue to enjoy an energy advantage, or will these resources be closed
off to them? The NAM is proud to stand side by side with this broad
coalition of business and consumer voices to call on the President to
support energy development in the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic.”
“Policymakers and regulators must not give in to the “keep it in the
ground” approach that would result in higher prices for consumers and
economic harm for our nation,” said Karen Harbert, President and CEO
of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy. “While it
was very shortsighted to prohibit any exploration off of our mid
Atlantic coast over industry and state objections, it is imperative that
we maintain robust offshore energy production in the Gulf and the Arctic
to allow America’s manufacturing renaissance to continue and improve our
security and competitiveness. That’s why such a broad coalition has come
together to stress the importance of maintaining the existing areas
available for exploration.”
About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together consumers, farmers, small
businesses, producers and manufacturers to engage in a meaningful
dialogue about America’s energy future. With more than 400,000 members
nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy
security for households across the country. We believe energy
development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus
it is necessary for all consumers to actively engage in the conversation
about how we develop and diversify our energy resources and energy’s
importance to the economy. CEA promotes a thoughtful dialogue to help
produce our abundant energy supply, and balance our energy needs with
our nation’s environmental and conservation goals. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.
About the National Association of Manufacturers
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest
manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and
large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states.
Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes
$2.17 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic
impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of
private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice
of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy
agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create
jobs across the United States. For more information about the National
Association of Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and
Facebook, please visit www.nam.org
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation
representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all
sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and
industry associations. The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s
Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators,
business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy
strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through
policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building
support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and
international levels.
Contacts
Consumer Energy Alliance
Emily Haggstrom, 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org
or
National
Association of Manufacturers
Jennifer Drogus, 202-637-3090
jdrogus@nam.org
or
U.S.
Chamber of Commerce
Matt Letourneau, 202-463-5945
MLetourneau@uschamber.com
