Message from the Executive Director
Fellow Alaskans:
As far as Alaska is from our Lower 48 friends, we couldn’t be closer to the energy issues that critically affect America’s national security, national economy and consumer energy prices.
CEA-Alaska members believe it is essential that Alaska’s oil and gas resources are responsibly explored and developed to aid in meeting America’s energy needs and promoting a balanced national energy policy. We already provide about 17 percent of total U.S. domestic oil production. Our gas pipeline could begin infusing the Lower 48 pipeline systems with 5 to 10 percent of America’s natural gas needs. Our Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) potential is as big as the Gulf of Mexico’s, and it is vital to providing long-term oil and gas for our pipelines.
Our petroleum industry is also vital to Alaska’s economy, providing 31 percent of our jobs. OCS jobs could provide secure employment for our kids and grand kids and even their children, securing many future generations.
Whether our Last Frontier Energy Storehouse supplies the nation and state with energy and jobs is largely a political question now. We know that our industry has the technology. We know that fellow Americans share with us the frustration of sending nearly a trillion dollars a year to foreign countries for oil and gas which we could be producing here, with our workers, supplying revenue to our state and federal governments, under environmental rules that are better than those used in other parts of the world.
Those political decisions fall most heavily on two sets of shoulders: the Washington establishment and Juneau officials. The President through EPA, DOI, FERC and many other agencies will control what we do on Federal property in Alaska. They will also control other state activity engaged in interstate commerce. Juneau will control local regulations and tax policies that will affect critical investment decisions.
If you think about it, no one is really looking out for consumer interests. Tens of thousands of special interests are constantly lobbying the political establishment in Washington and Juneau, for favor.
CEA-Alaska advocates for energy consumer interests. Our goal is to to represent family and large energy consumers. We will seek balanced decisions between consumers and producers of energy and we will encourage elected officials to put consumers first.
Please join us in focusing on the long term best interests of Alaska’s and America’s consumers. We do it for our kids and for the generations that follow us.
Dave Harbour
Executive Director
Consumer Energy Alliance of Alaska