Consumer Energy Alliance

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization created to help expand the dialogue between the energy and consuming sectors to improve understanding of energy security, more effectively develop and use both renewable and oil & gas energy resources in an environmentally conscious manner, create sound energy policy and maintain stable energy prices for consumers.

April 2007

CEA Newsletter
Issue 1

From the Executive Director
Rising energy prices and the pain felt at the pump and the thermostat are subjects in which consumers across America are becoming well-versed. It is virtually impossible to avoid the topic. It is being covered in the news almost daily. Will there be relief? Is there a way to achieve a fair solution that will improve prices and our daily lives?

We think so. Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) was founded to support the environmentally thoughtful development and utilization of energy resources to help ensure enhanced energy security and stable prices for consumers. We strive to improve consumer understanding of our nation’s energy security and to emphasize the need for further diversification of our energy resources.

In order to achieve these initiatives, CEA recognizes the need for both near-term and long-term public policy solutions. Despite the recent progress to diversify and improve energy efficiency, larger strides will need to be made to cost-effectively meet future demand. However, such solutions will not be ready for widespread use for many years to come.

For now, the energy industry must continue efforts to seek alternative energy sources and encourage energy conservation, while near-term available supplies of oil and gas are sought and better utilized. Industry, government, and economics must play a role in finding the proper balance between the near-term use of oil and gas resources and the long-term development of alternatives. Developing American energy resources is imperative to creating American energy independence and maintaining steady prices for consumers.

As a consumer, the choices you make can have an impact. CEA is here to provide the resources and information you need to make informed decisions about energy use and conservation and to furnish you with the knowledge that you can help to make a difference. We want you to have a voice in the debate, as well as access to steps you can take to help guarantee a safe and sound energy future for all of us.

David Holt
Executive Director

Help Lower Energy Costs: Improve Access to America’s Energy Supplies
An enormous domestic supply of clean burning natural gas can be safely and efficiently found right here on U.S. soil. The Pinedale Project in Southwest Wyoming has enough natural gas to supply ten million homes annually for more than 30 years!

The Bureau of Land Management is now accepting public comments on a proposal to permit limited increased access with the necessary environmental safeguards.

Send in Your Comments Today!

Administration plans for more alternative fuels
President Bush recently outlined his Administration’s plans to reduce dependence on foreign sources of oil through his ‘Twenty in Ten’ program. The program would decrease America’s gasoline consumption by 20 percent over the next ten years by promoting the development and use of alternative fuels and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Read article…

International Energy Agency calls for more oil
The International Energy Agency (IEA) expressed concern over OPEC’s announcement to hold production steady through the summer months. IEA warned that such a move could cause oil stocks in industrialized nations to take their biggest fall in more than ten years. Read article…

CEA welcomes new Board members & Affiliates
Consumer Energy Alliance recently inducted three new members into its Board of Advisors and announced joint ventures with Southeast Energy Alliance (SEA) and the newly-formed Consumer Energy Alliance of Florida (CEA-FL).

Earlier this year, CEA welcomed Coast Guardians Executive Director Arthur Mears, National Small Business Association President Todd McCracken and American Gas Association Managing Director Tom Moskitis as new members to its Board of Advisors, a broad coalition of experts from the energy industry, academia, small businesses, retirees, conservation and travel-related sectors.

CEA also formed CEA-FL in January of this year and recently joined forces with SEA in order to more effectively engage citizens from the state of Florida and the Southeast in a continued dialogue about energy needs and uses. Currently, supporters of CEA-FL represent more than 300,000 jobs in Florida.

“Florida jobs are being lost because of high energy prices, particularly in industries such as the fertilizer and agrichemical sector which must compete globally. CEA-Florida will be a voice for increasing our energy independence to help protect those jobs,” said CEA-FL Director Dave Batt.

By adding to its Board of Advisors and reaching out to regional groups, CEA hopes to augment efforts to improve consumer understanding of energy security and the thoughtful development and utilization of energy resources to help create sound energy policy and maintain stable energy prices for consumers.

Coast Guardians is a group of New Orleans-area business owners, chief executive officers, and presidents from all sectors of the business community committed to rebuilding and protecting America’s Energy Coast. The group was formed in cooperation with America’s WETLAND: Campaign to Save Coastal Louisiana.

National Small Business Association is the national affiliate of several regional and state small-business organizations dedicated to promoting the growth of free enterprise and supporting state and federal policies beneficial to small business, the state and the nation.

American Gas Association represents 200 local energy utility companies that deliver natural gas to more than 64 million homes, businesses and industries throughout the US and promotes the efficient market growth and operational excellence in the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas.