American Trucking Associations
American Trucking Associations Tells Congress that Climate Change Legislation Comes at Great Cost to American Consumers
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
ARLINGTON, Va., August 10, 2009 — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) today told the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works that climate change legislation would impose significant costs on American consumers.
In his statement on behalf of ATA, Ray Kuntz, Chairman of ATA’s Executive Committee and Immediate Past Chairman of the associations, said that any substantial cost increases imposed directly or indirectly on trucks by climate change legislation will curtail the delivery of vital consumer goods across the nation such as food, medicine, and clothing.
“Constraining the country’s freight delivery system would change our way of life for the worse by significantly increasing the cost of everything we buy,” said Kuntz, who is Chairman and CEO of Watkins and Shepard Trucking, based in Helena, Montana.
A one-cent increase in the average price of diesel costs the trucking industry an additional $390 million in fuel expenses. Petroleum suppliers indicate that climate change legislation could increase the cost of gasoline by 77 cents per gallon and 88 cents per gallon for diesel fuel. As trucking companies struggle with already miniscule margins, additional costs for fuel would be passed on to shippers of goods and materials and ultimately to consumers.
In addition to increased fuel costs, Kuntz addressed six other issues in his testimony relating directly to climate change legislation and the trucking industry:
- Climate change legislation must address the need to improve highway infrastructure to reduce carbon output
- Carbon oversight markets must carefully be monitored and transparent to prevent excessive speculation
- Trucking needs to be addressed differently than passenger vehicles because trucks are not discretionary fuel users
- State transportation emissions reduction plans must not impede the delivery of goods
- Federal regulations must preempt regional, state and local carbon laws to prevent a patchwork jumble of laws that would impede transportation efficiency
- Oil refiners should receive appropriate free carbon allowances for fuel production to help offset significant price increases for refined products
Kuntz serves on ATA’s Sustainability Task Force, which developed a progressive sustainability agenda that will reduce fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and CO2 emissions by 900 million tons for all vehicles over 10 years by: setting governors on trucks manufactured after 1992 to limit speeds to no more than 65 mph and reducing the national speed limit to 65 mph for all vehicles; reducing engine idling; reducing congestion by improving highways; using more productive truck combinations; supporting national fuel economy standards for trucks; and increasing fuel efficiency by encouraging participation in the U.S. EPA SmartWaySM Transport Partnership Program.
These reasonable measures will bring real results for reducing the trucking industry’s carbon footprint, while at the same time further reducing other regulated emissions, enhancing safety, helping to achieve energy independence, and keeping the nations economic engine churning.
For ATA’s entire sustainability report with detailed explanations, visit www.trucksdeliver.org.
Click here to read the entire testimony from Ray Kuntz.
Tags: American Trucking Associations, ATA
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For truckers, it’s been a long haul
Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
Last summer, when many businesses were enjoying what still seemed to be a reasonably strong economy, truckers were being hit hard by skyrocketing fuel costs that squeezed their margins and forced many long-haul freight carriers out of business.
If life were fair, you might think this year would be the best of times for the trucking sector, now that its major operating expense has decreased significantly. But trucking is not a counter-cyclical industry so much as a business that faces more than its share of challenges in good times and bad.
Last year, it was fuel prices (the options for conserving fuel when you’re in the freight transport business are really limited) and this year, it’s the economy, stupid. And just like fuel costs, truckers are particularly challenged to insulate themselves against a recession, since their business is so closely tied to consumers’ buying patterns (or lack thereof). About 70% of all retail and manufactured goods in the country are transported by truck. Stores don’t sell; trucks don’t move.
“Looking for signs of economic recovery?” this recent story on the travails of truckers explains. “Try counting the number of trucks on the road.”
It turns out trucking companies are continuing to fail at a rapid clip. Some 480 trucking companies went under during the first quarter of this year. That follows the closing of 3,000 trucking businesses in 2008, which analysts say took seven of every 100 trucks off the road. And given how much demand for trucking services has dropped in recent months, there is still an overcapacity, according to many estimates.
Now, recessions come and go, and even though this current recession has been long and deep and too often associated with the Great Depression, it is in the scheme of things part of a business cycle that will sooner or later yield to better times.
But long after this great recession is history, fuel costs will continue to be a big drag on the trucking industry, unless they can somehow be stabilized.
This analysis argues that for all the pain produced by last year’s fuel price surge, it was not so much the actual price but the price volatility that really hurt the industry, making it impossible to predict expenses.
Fuel costs shouldn’t have to be as variable and unpredictable as economic cycles.
Tags: American Trucking Associations, CEA, Consumer Energy Alliance, consumer energy alliance grass roots, consumer energy alliance grassroots, Consumer Energy Issues, Diesel Technology Forum, International Foodservice Distributors Association, National Association of Manufacturers, the Consumer Energy Alliance
Posted in CEABlog | 4 Comments »
ATA’s Remarks about Energy Day 2009
Thursday, May 14th, 2009
http://www.airlines.org/economics/energy/CEA+Energy+Day+May+13.htm
ATA Articulates Energy/Economy Nexus
Remarks of John P. Heimlich, ATA Vice President and Chief Economist
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) Energy Day on Capitol Hill
May 13, 2009
On behalf of the U.S. airline industry, I thank you for the opportunity to speak today. In the not-too-distant past, our industry was notably larger. Employment at U.S. passenger airlines peaked in May 2001 at more than 542,000 full-time jobs. Today that number stands at just 392,000, a drop of 150,000 jobs; regrettably, further cuts are likely. You might also be interested to know that commercial aviation ultimately drives more than 10 million U.S. jobs and more than five percent of the nation’s economy.
While virtually every U.S. industry has been harmed by the scope of today’s global recession, the airlines’ ability to rehire, to grow its employment ranks and to enable the growth and competitiveness of so many other industries depends immensely on the stability and security of our nation’s energy portfolio. In 2008, U.S. passenger and cargo airlines spent a record $58 billion on jet fuel, nearly three-and-a-half times the fuel bill for 2000. Unprecedented volatility in fuel prices and far-too-frequent disruptions to our fuel supply have rendered unsustainable significant levels of air service and staffing, forcing cuts in routes and frequencies in communities across the nation. Many of those communities lost all scheduled air service, with no sign of restoration anytime soon.
Yet, we embrace the future with great expectations. The transformation of our aging air traffic control system from radar-based to satellite-based navigation, along with the development of alternative jet fuels, offers aviation a golden opportunity to enhance U.S. energy efficiency and competitiveness while yielding tangible environmental benefits and creating tens of thousands of jobs.
The nation’s airlines applaud today’s congressional hosts, as well as President Obama and his administration, for their leadership and keen focus on the energy challenge facing America. We are extremely proud of our industry’s unrelenting environmental progress, having increased fuel efficiency more than 110 percent since 1978, including more than 25 percent since 2000 alone. And we have committed voluntarily to continue along that path, pursuing new equipment, environmentally friendly alternative fuels, and more efficient air navigation services.
But these efforts are not sufficient by themselves. Our industry, and many others, will long depend on fossil fuels for a substantial share of our energy. In addition to the development of wind, solar, nuclear and the like, a truly comprehensive, meaningfully balanced U.S. energy policy must include the expanded cultivation of conventional domestic resources, including oil and gas, as well as coal. To deny that is to deny reality. The good news is that twenty-first century technologies, engineering know-how and industry best practices allow us to tap these sources in a far more environmentally responsible manner than most are aware.
Let me be crystal clear on this – the Air Transport Association of America supports a balanced, comprehensive U.S. energy policy that enhances a secure supply of environmentally friendly energy characterized by increasingly stable costs. What does that mean? First, I cannot stress enough the importance of promoting conservation and efficiency by upgrading our air traffic infrastructure and redesigning congested airspace. Second, we must accelerate the development and deployment of alternative aviation fuels. In 2006, ATA co-founded the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, working in concert with the Federal Aviation Administration, the Air Force and several other government agencies, as well as academia and the energy community. Third, we must ensure that energy prices are determined by the fundamentals of supply and demand rather than the whims of financial players with no ties to the physical product. Reform of our energy commodities markets is essential, adding sorely needed transparency and oversight to the trading of petroleum, heating oil and, potentially, carbon futures. Last, but not least, we must expand access to traditional domestic sources of energy such as oil and gas, simultaneously cultivating alternatives.
With every new proposal emanating from Congress, let’s be sure to score each one not only on its environmental merits but also on its contribution to both energy security and economic security. After all, a truly comprehensive energy policy should treat these as compatible – not conflicting – goals. Too often, crafters of legislation have failed to appreciate the interrelationship among different petroleum products, for example not realizing the impacts that a policy aimed at motorists might have on trucking, maritime or aviation.
There are lots of paths to a greener future, but reducing the viability of air service and the thousands of associated jobs is not the right one – especially in our increasingly global society. As one UNC professor has written, aviation is the physical Internet. Others have called us the nation’s circulatory system. Constraining our growth is tantamount to constraining our economy. Let me assure you – the airlines want to help, and we are confident that a policy embracing technology, operations and infrastructure is the best way to ensure that America’s future is not only greener on the environmental scale, but also on the financial scale.
A thoughtfully crafted U.S. energy policy will recognize these goals as entirely compatible. In our case, we are certain that smarter skies will translate to smarter energy and vice versa, fostering air service levels that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. Simply put, when it comes to aviation and the jobs that depend on it, energy matters.
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Tags: 60 Plus Association, Agriculture Energy Alliance, Air Transport Association, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Chemistry Council, American Exploration & Production Council, American Gas Association, American Highway Users Alliance, American Iron & Steel Institute, American Petroleum Institute, American Public Gas Association, American Trucking Associations, Consumer Energy Alliance, Consumer Energy Alliance Energy Day, Diesel Technology Forum, Energy Day, Energy Day 2009, Energy Day CEA, Environmentally Friendly Drilling Project, Greenline Industries, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, International Foodservice Distributors Association, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Neighborhoods, National Ocean Industries Association, NGVAmerica, Nuclear Energy Institute, Shell, Southeast Energy Alliance, The Center for North American Energy Security, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
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CEA April 2009 Newsletter
Friday, April 3rd, 2009
CEA Newsletter
Issue 25
Message from CEA President David Holt
Next month, Capitol Hill will once again be buzzing with participants of Energy Day, CEA’s exciting and informative annual event held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
With gasoline and utility prices constantly fluctuating, energy security a top priority and reasonable, responsible use of our nation’s resources of vital concern, CEA invites all consumers, business owners, manufacturers, energy providers and other stakeholders to come together with Members of Congress for this important day to discuss U.S. energy policy, energy security and the impact of volatile energy prices.
Energy Day, which is free and open to the public, will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Capitol Visitors Center.
Each year, CEA is excited to unite Members of Congress and their staffs with a unique collection of stakeholders who are all trying to find common solutions to stabilize energy prices and secure resources. Working together and participating in an open dialogue, we can make a difference and make America’s energy policy work for Americans.
Energy Day will feature senior executives from a range of industries who are allied with Consumer Energy Alliance, including: 60 Plus Association, Agriculture Energy Alliance, Air Transport Association, American Chemistry Council, American Gas Association, American Highway Users Association, American Iron & Steel Institute, American Petroleum Institute, American Public Gas Association, American Trucking Associations, Environmentally Friendly Drilling Project, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Neighborhoods, National Ocean Industries Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, Southeast Energy Alliance and many more!
All of the participating organizations will have experts available to present materials and information to event attendees.
Mark May 13 on your calendar now and join us for CEA’s Energy Day – we hope to see you at this “don’t miss” event!
David Holt
President
Attend Public Hearing to Support Development of Offshore Resources: Help Secure America’s Energy Future!
Take action in support of developing offshore energy resources by attending a public meeting near you: April 6 in Atlantic City, New Jersey; April 8 in New Orleans, Louisiana; April 14 in Anchorage, Alaska; and April 16 in San Francisco, California.
Don’t miss this opportunity to have your voice heard! This meeting is one of four being held across the nation by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Minerals Management Service (MMS) to take comments from the public on America’s offshore energy development plan.
Attending this event to show your support of a robust national energy policy which will secure America’s energy future and jumpstart the nation’s economy is essential! Public comments expressed at the meetings will shape America’s development of our offshore energy resources.Find out more…
Support the Five-Year Plan Draft Proposed Program to Develop Offshore Oil & Gas Resources!
A significant domestic supply of energy can be safely and efficiently found right here off of America’s shores. The U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) currently administers the considerable energy resources contained in our offshore waters and wants to hear from you about offshore oil & gas and alternative energy development.
Opposition to offshore energy development is mounting. We need you to let Washington know you support reasonable access to America’s offshore energy resources.Send in your comments today!
Consumer Corner:Spring Clean Your Energy Use!
Each year, people across America take part in the annual tradition of spring cleaning their homes, garages, work places and lifestyles, but consumers should give their energy use a good once over too!
Heating and cooling costs are a significant part of household budgets throughout America – on average 43 percent of utility bills! There are many free and low-cost strategies consumers can put into action to lower these costs. Spring cleaning energy use is beneficial because not only does it save consumers a few bucks, but it also focuses consumers on being good stewards of energy resources.
This spring, there are five top steps to take in streamlining your energy use: 1) Look for assistance from your local utility or state; 2) Conduct an energy audit; 3) Have your cooling system serviced; 4) Find and seal your air leaks; and 5) Install a programmable thermostat, according to EnergySavers.gov, a U.S. Department of Energy website devoted to providing tips to the American public on energy consumption.
The five spring to-dos are part of EnergySavers.gov’s “Stay Cool, Save Money” campaign, which focuses on providing consumers with ways to save money during the spring and summer. Find out more ways to prepare for summer’s energy costs…
The Refining Community: Facing Today’s Realities and Tomorrow’s Challenges
While today’s headlines tout increased government spending, and Congressional hearings address AIG, the financial collapse and the BCS football championship structure, little attention has been focused on the relative health of today’s American refining community and how, given the challenges we face in a vulnerable global economy, we are still able to safely and reliably supply consumers with the fuels they need and the building blocks manufacturers require to produce. All too often the 1.9 million men and women of the domestic oil, gas and refining community are dismissed by policymakers and the mainstream media as being part of the economic problem instead of being recognized as part of the solution. Our businesses and employees are, in fact, key components to an economic recovery. While other American businesses are receiving billions in taxpayer dollars to help erase their financial missteps, our businesses are retooling and adjusting their operations to best suit current demand for refined products with a weather eye toward what the future could hold.
Refiners purchase oil on the open market and are the first to be affected by volatile crude markets. In 2008, with the price of crude hovering near $150 a barrel, American refiners struggled to make ends meet. Demand for diesel and gasoline was lower than normal, yet the price to produce both remained significantly high.
Within months, refiners experienced the opposite extreme – lower crude prices, but still lower-than-normal demand. Inventories grew with fewer buyers. That is the situation today, as a number of refiners ponder just how much diesel and gasoline they need to produce to meet current demand.
It is true that a new refinery, from the ground up, has not been built in more than 30 years, but the reality is that domestic refiners, on the aggregate, have constructed the equivalent of one new large-scale refinery each year for the past 12-15 years through expansion projects at existing facilities. This represents not only a more cost-effective approach, but also one that is more beneficial to consumers as it supplies more fuel to the marketplace faster. Currently, U.S. refining capacity amounts to nearly 18 million barrels per day (bbls/day):
• 9 million bbls/day gasoline;
• 4 millions bbls/day fuel oil;
• 1.4 million bbls/day jet fuel; and
• 3.4 million bbls/day other petroleum-based products.
Given the current global economy, more than 400,000 bbls/day of production capacity, representing more than $15 billion in investment, has been put on hold. During the fourth quarter of 2008, independent refining and market revenue fell $3.2 billion. Many refiners actually lost money, though those instances are rarely, if ever, reported.
While operating and expansion costs amount to billions of dollars annually, refiners also spend billions every year to continually upgrade facilities and install newer, cleaner technologies. From 1995 to 2004, domestic refiners spent nearly $50 billion to comply with environmental emissions regulations. By 2020, we will spend more than $20 billion to comply with new clean fuels regulations.
Compliance with the new Renewable Fuels Standard and its various requirements is not even factored into these costs. Some businesses face at least $150 million in additional costs to purchase RIN, Renewable Identification Number, credits to comply with the law. Lobbyists for the corn-based ethanol industry are now advocating for higher blends of their product into gasoline – beyond the currently approved 10 percent (E10) blend. The challenge, however, is that most of the 240 million vehicles on American roads today, to say nothing of the smaller engines in lawnmowers, boats, and other non-road vehicles, will not operate properly or even safely on fuels with higher ethanol blends. These vehicles and small engines are not even under warranty should a difficulty arise. Ethanol also burns at higher temperatures, leading to greater unregulated emissions due to its overwhelming effect on engines’ emissions controls.
While ethanol, both corn-based and cellulosic, which does not yet exist in commercial quantities, will be an integral part of the nation’s fuel mix, policymakers can ill afford to sacrifice safety and environmental quality in a rush to judgment on permitting higher blends.
The current federal biofuels policy is often promoted as part of the broader political agenda for “energy independence.” The question remains, however, if “energy independence” can – or should – ever be achieved.
After 35 years of bipartisan political advocacy on its behalf, the nation is no closer to reducing its reliance on foreign sources of energy. Today, the concept of “energy independence” seems to have morphed into one of “energy isolation,” which American businesses and consumers can ill afford if there is ever a significant supply disruption in the United States. Fuel diversity, or “energy security,” is the more realistic, desirable and achievable goal to ensure a safe and reliable supply of fuel for consumers. Achieving energy security means working with our close neighbors and strategic allies, not against them in the marketplace, to ensure a diverse fuel mix. Canada and Mexico are top suppliers of crude oil products to the United States. With their proximity, transportation and distribution costs are low, and the opportunity for an environmental event is dramatically reduced.
Despite the doom and gloom of most mainstream reporting, our economy will recover, and with that recovery, demand for petroleum-based products will increase as drivers return to the roads and trucks resume transporting and providing goods and services. As we move down that path, we hope policymakers will look to realistic, long-term solutions for energy security instead of bending under the pressure of two-year cycle political expedience. The American business community requires greater certainty for its investments, but, more importantly, American consumers deserve the safe, reliable supply of products that would be guaranteed under a more realistic policy approach.
This article was contributed by Charles T. Drevna, President, The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA). If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Brendan Williams at bwilliams@npra.org.
Department of Interior Pushing “Dated” Data in Review of Outer Continental Shelf
Highlighting renewable sources of energy, such as wind power, as needed alternatives to fossil fuels, the summary review of energy resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, published recently by the U.S. Department of the Interior, is pushing “dated” data in making estimates on the development of recoverable oil and natural gas assets, according to industry experts. The data used in the report includes thirty-year old seismic data for many areas and does not include any of the large new discoveries since 2006. Read article…
Venezuela Increases Oil Shipments to U.S.
Contrary to its promise to comply with OPEC cuts, Venezuela increased crude shipments to the United States in January reaching 1.2 million barrels a day – a 14 percent increase from the previous month. On Jan. 1, the South American oil giant was supposed to begin significant decreases in exports – about 16 percent to meet OPEC guidelines. Read article…
Affiliate Spotlight:American Highway Users Alliance
Dedicated to improving highway safety and mobility, the American Highway Users Alliance is a strong and influential advocate for the interests of the “motoring public”.
Motorists pocketbooks and quality of life are deeply
affected by the predictable supply of affordable energy.
Founded in 1932, the non-profit organization focuses on national issues through lobbying, media relations and grassroots campaigning, promoting a vital link between federal-state-private sectors.
“One of our most important internal goals is to generate massive grassroots activism from within our current and future membership base,” notes Greg Cohen, president and CEO of American Highway Users Alliance.
The Highway Users’ membership is varied, including many types of groups as well as individuals and businesses who use highways in the United States, which the Alliance identifies as “the most mobile nation on earth”.
“Our members come from diverse industries and interests that rely on an efficient national highway network to transport their products, customers, employees, and members. Members include about 300 companies, non-profit trade associations, and automobile clubs representing millions of people,” comments Cohen.
Energy issues affect the members of Highway Users in various ways, depending on whether the member is a motorist, rural farmer, manufacturer, other business or other type of highway user.
“Volatility in energy markets creates some obvious problems for highway users,” Cohen points out. “For motorists, the price of mobility impacts their choices for housing, employment, shopping and recreation. For fleet operators, predictable fuel costs are critical to developing their logistics model and creating a profitable business plan. For farmers and rural drivers, their long distance driving is more severely impacted by price spikes. For manufacturers and construction companies, the price of energy can have extreme impacts on the production price of equipment and products (such as asphalt).”
Securing a stable and predictable energy supply is a necessary path to economic growth and better quality of life for all members of American Highway Users Alliance, according to Cohen.
“We would like to see a stable, growing supply of energy in the United States through a massive investment in supply expansion. We also would like to see the American public become more educated on the economics of the issue and the enormous steps taken by companies to protect and enhance the environment as they develop energy sites,” explains Cohen.
“If the public as a whole understands the enormous benefits to the economy and quality of life that help all of our citizens, we will win the battle of ideas,” he continues.
Another issue of great interest to The Highway Users is ensuring that transportation and energy sectors are not unfairly over-regulated.
Cohen notes that there is the potential for tremendous government regulation brought about by the increased influence of environmental activists in Congress and the Administration.
“It is important that we all help each other to fight harmful regulations that directly or indirectly attack energy and transportation consumers. We are very concerned about fighting these battles and need as much help as possible,” he stresses.
As a member of Consumer Energy Alliance, The Highway Users values participating in opening channels of communication between the energy industry and highway supporters.
“Motorists, truckers, and companies who are active in The Highway Users are financially-motivated and/or civically-motivated to support the energy industry on some of their key priorities and issues,” asserts Cohen. “We hope that the relationships we form within CEA will help to get energy companies more engaged on safety, congestion and logistics issues that have a hidden but high impact on their bottom lines.
“There are a variety of issues – both energy and transportation related – where working together can yield better results than going it alone.”
For more information on American Highway Users Alliance, visit www.highways.org.
Tags: 60 Plus Association, Agriculture Energy Alliance, Air Transport Association, American Chemistry Council, American Gas Association, American Highway Users Association, American Iron & Steel Institute, American Petroleum Institute, American Public Gas Association, American Trucking Associations, Capitol Hill, CEA, CEA Energy Day, CEA Energy Grass Roots, congress, Consumer Energy Alliance, Consumer Energy Alliance Energy Day, consumer energy alliance grass roots, consumer energy alliance grassroots, energy, Energy Day 2009, energy policy, energy prices, Environmentally Friendly Drilling Project, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States, Minerals Management Service, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Neighborhoods, National Ocean Industries Association, Nuclear Energy Institute, Southeast Energy Alliance, U.S. Department of the Interior’
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Consumer Energy Alliance Hosts Energy Forum in Conjunction with Release of Energy Price Impact Publication
Monday, September 15th, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), a non-profit, non-partisan energy consumer advocacy group, hosted its inaugural CEA Energy Forum on Capitol Hill today in conjunction with the release of its energy price impact publication, “The Impact of High Energy Prices on Key Consumer Sectors of the U.S. Economy”.
“CEA was thrilled to host its first Energy Forum and showcase the release of our energy price impact publication. The forum was a great opportunity to bring together Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and their staffs with a unique collection of stakeholders, as well as representatives from both the Obama and McCain presidential campaigns, for a discussion on the impacts of high energy prices and possible solutions to improve U.S. energy policy,” said David Holt, president of CEA.
Holt continued, “Every sector of the U.S. economy is affected by high energy prices. Consumer Energy Alliance believes that our energy price impact publication provides a good summary of information from key consuming sectors on how energy prices are negatively impacting their respective markets — from airlines to trucking to retirees to small business — and the overall economy. In short, all the members of CEA agree: America needs long-term national energy security and reasonable prices for energy consumers.”
With almost 60 Members of Congress on its Host Committee, the forum featured key remarks from Representatives John Shimkus (R-IL), Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Adam Putnam (R-FL) who addressed Energy Forum attendees about the impacts that high energy costs are having on consumers and introduced the event’s consumer panel and publication discussion.
The forum also featured remarks by Jason Grumet from Sen. Barack Obama’s Presidential Campaign and Elizabeth Ames Jones from Sen. John McCain’s Presidential Campaign who both addressed the need for balanced energy policy.
‘Senator Obama understands that great nations take on great challenges – and that, with the right kind of leadership, we can reconcile a balanced comprehensive energy policy with significant reductions in carbon emissions,’ said Jason Grumet, executive director of the National Commission on Energy Policy and representative from Sen. Obama’s campaign, ‘We are pleased that Consumer Energy Alliance is helping to lead the effort in support of balanced energy policy. CEA’s members will bear the burden of helping to meet future energy and climate change challenges.’
‘We are proud of CEA’s role in helping to enact balanced energy policy. Sen. McCain understands that a balanced energy policy must include increased access to domestic oil and gas, a robust nuclear program and expanded use of alternative energy, like wind,’ said Elizabeth Ames Jones, Texas Railroad commissioner and representative from Sen. McCain’s campaign.
In addition to Congressional and campaign remarks, industry leaders participated in a panel discussion about consumers and discussed CEA’s publication, “The Impact of High Energy Prices on Key Consumer Sectors of the U.S. Economy”. The panel included: Greg Cohen, President, American Highway Users Alliance; Rich Moskowitz, Counselor, Regulatory Affairs, American Trucking Associations; and, Todd McCracken, President, National Small Business Association.
While the panelists each commented on the impact that high energy prices are having on their particular sectors, they also offered ways in which high energy costs could be alleviated. All of them agreed with the remarks given by the Members and presidential campaign representatives that called for balanced national energy policy approaches and recognized the need for continued dialogue among industry, consumer groups and Congress.
‘If we are going to meet the energy needs of a growing world, we need an energy policy that recognizes that we need it all – more domestic oil and gas, more renewables, more conservation and efficiency and less CO2,” said Jack Belcher, manager, Regulatory Affairs and Policy at Shell Exploration & Production Company, who attended the Energy Forum.
The Host Committee for the CEA Energy Forum included representatives John Barrow (D-GA); Joe Barton (R-TX); Tim Bishop (D-NY); Marsha Blackburn (R-TN); John Boehner (R-OH); Mary Bono (R-CA); Allen Boyd (D-FL); Kevin Brady (R-TX); Howard Coble (R-NC); Mike Conaway (R-TX); Jim Costa (D-CA); Henry Cuellar (D-TX); John Culberson (R-TX); Geoff Davis (R-KY); Philip English (R-PA); Mary Fallin (R-OK); Bill Foster (D-IL); Phil Gingrey (R-GA); Charles Gonzalez (D-TX); Bob Goodlatte (R-VA); Sam Graves (R- MO); Gene Green (D-TX); Ralph Hall (R-TX); Robin Hayes (R-NC); Bob Inglis (R-SC); Darrell Issa (R-CA); Jesse Jackson (D-IL); William Jefferson (D-LA); Sam Johnson (R-TX); Walter Jones (R-NC); Randy Kuhl (R-NY); Doug Lamborn (R-CO); Nick Lampson (D-TX); John Larson (D-CT); Tom Latham (R-IA); Robert Latta (R-OH); Connie Mack (R-FL); Carolyn Maloney (D-NY); Michael McCaul (R-TX); Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-NY); John Mica (R-FL); Jeff Miller (R-FL); Timothy Murphy (R-PA); Sue Myrick (R-NC); Ed Pastor (D-AZ); Donald Payne (D-NJ); Mike Pence (R-IN); Ted Poe (R-TX); Adam Putnam (R-FL); George Radanovich (R-CA); Mike Ross (D-AR); John Shadegg (R-AZ); John Shimkus (R-IL); Thomas Tancredo (R-CO); Edolphus Towns (D-NY); and Mark Udall (D-CO).
Participating organizations included: 60 Plus Association; Agriculture Energy Alliance; Air Transport Association; American Association of Petroleum Geologists; American Chemistry Council; American Exploration & Production Council; American Gas Association; American Highway Users Alliance; American Iron & Steel Institute; American Petroleum Institute; American Public Gas Association; American Trucking Associations; Americans for American Energy; Association of Corporate Travel Executives; The Center for North American Energy Security; Environmentally Conscious Consumers for Oil Shale; Grocery Manufacturers Association; Independent Petroleum Association of America; National Association of Manufacturers; National Association of Neighborhoods; National Ocean Industries Association; National Petrochemical and Refiners Association; National Small Business Association; Nuclear Energy Institute; Southeast Energy Alliance; U.S. Oil & Gas Association.
CEA’s energy price impact publication, “The Impact of High Energy Prices on Key Consumer Sectors of the U.S. Economy”, is available on its website at www.consumerenergyalliance.org. Please click here to view publication.
In the coming months, CEA will provide additional reports outlining the impacts high energy prices have on the economy and possible solutions to meeting the U.S. energy challenge.
CEA’s mission is to expand the dialogue between the consuming and energy sectors to improve overall 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.
Tags: 60 Plus Association, Agriculture Energy Alliance, Air Transport Association, alternative energy, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, American Chemistry Council, American Exploration & Production Council, American Gas Association, American Highway Users Alliance, American Iron & Steel Institute, American Petroleum Institute, American Public Gas Association, American Trucking Associations, Americans for American Energy, Association of Corporate Travel Executives, carbon, carbon emissions, CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, climate, congress, Consumer Energy Alliance, consumer energy alliance grass roots, consumer energy alliance grassroots, Consumer Energy Issues, energy, energy policy, energy prices, energy supply, Environmentally Conscious Consumers for Oil Shale, gas, government, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Independent Petroleum Association of America, McCain, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Neighborhoods, National Ocean Industries Association, National Petrochemical and Refiners Association, National Small Business Association, natural gas, Nuclear Energy Institute, Obama, oil, Southeast Energy Alliance, The Center for North American Energy Security, U.S. Oil & Gas Association, wind
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