energy prices
A season of paradox
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Folks living within a vast swath of the eastern United States had their festive plans for caroling and last-minute holiday shopping disrupted over the weekend by the biggest snow storm in years. In many regions like the greater Washington D.C. area, the storm shattered old records for December snowfall … and winter hadn’t even officially begun yet.
The blizzard, combined with the sub-freezing temperatures, all but promises a white Christmas in regions hit by the storm.
Of course, snow days and sledding and cozy times together by an indoor fireplace come along with treacherous roads and driveways that need to be shoveled and the high heating bills required to keep everyone warm inside.
And this year, as people brace for those wintertime heating bills, they’ll be chagrined to discover that the soft economy has done little to lower the cost of keeping their homes warm. It’s an ongoing paradox we’ve discussed here before: how the normal rules of supply and demand don’t really apply when the product in question comes from overseas sources that have their own way of artificially controlling pricing.
Last summer, we discussed how oil prices were rising despite soft demand and swelling inventories. This winter, prepare for more of the same. We’re approaching our third straight year of economic downturn, and supplies of heating oil are overflowing, so much so that the early snowy cold spell isn’t expected to make much of a dent. Still, many forecasts show consumers paying more for their heating oil this year than they did in 2008 – when, by the way, it was hardly cheap.
Low demand and high prices: It’s a paradox indeed, but it’s not a mystery. Heating oil prices rise when crude oil prices rise. And here in the U.S., crude prices rise for all sorts of reasons, usually reasons that have little to do with supply or demand, or even the weather. Like so much of the oil we consume, the explanation for those persistently high winter heating prices is located far from home.
Wishing you a warm holiday.
Tags: CEA, Consumer Energy Alliance, domestic energy, energy prices, energy security, energy supply, natural gas, oil
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Old, but not over the hill
Thursday, November 19th, 2009
Here’s an important detail about the strength of our domestic oil industry that is often lost in the larger debate over opening more of the country to drilling and exploration: Yields are up at many existing oil fields.
The American Petroleum Institute reported this week that U.S. crude oil production reached a four-year high in October, due largely to the success of advanced drilling technologies that have helped improve yields in deep waters in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.
It’s a milestone that is important for a number of reasons. It shows that the oil sector is inventive and enterprising, constantly adopting new techniques that will improve on the existing way of doing business.
These high yields, mind you, are coming from some not-so-young properties, at a time when critics maintain that oil is past its prime, and past its peak. And they beg the question, if oil producers can increase yields from existing properties, what might they be able to achieve on a spanking new field in one of the disputed sites around the country?
The 5.36 million barrels of crude oil per day that were produced during the month of October offer strong evidence in favor of additional drilling around the country. It’s a strong level of production that suggests that additional exploration has a high likelihood of success, and also that the producers overseeing the drilling would make the most of each project, just like they are doing at older fields. It flies in the face of the notion that the oil industry favors drilling with abandon, or only wants to break ground on new sites because all of the older ones have dried up. Rather, it reflects a long-term commitment to each and every project.
The debates over new drilling around the country may take a long time to resolve. But it’s nice to know that oil producers are keeping busy while they wait.
Tags: CEA, Consumer Energy Alliance, domestic energy, drilling, energy policy, energy prices, energy supply, natural gas, offshore, oil
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Silent majorities and dressing for success
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
You might have seen some news coverage lately about protesters dressed in cute salmon costumes and even cuter polar bear costumes, who delivered with much ceremony, bags of letters to the Interior Department in Washington D.C. that argued against new offshore drilling in the U.S. By the protesters’ own count, 250,000 letters, postcards, and whatnot were delivered.
There was another story that went largely unreported: The Interior Department received an even larger number of letters supporting responsible exploration and production. For the record, more than 360,000 Americans have sent letters of the pro-responsible drilling variety to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar over the past six months. To date, these letters account for more than 60 percent of the comments received by Interior.
That’s a significant margin, and all the more so when you consider the nature of the debate. Let’s face it: In the court of public opinion, oil often faces an uphill battle. It’s easy to call yourself an environmentalist and jump on an anti-oil bandwagon without really knowing all the facts. It can take more time and work to consider the country’s significant energy needs and develop an informed stance on how we meet them.
So first of all, Thank You! For months, CEA has been working on this blog and elsewhere to organize support for responsible offshore drilling. The matter has been in legal limbo since earlier this year, when lawmakers enacted a series of barriers that effectively reversed President Bush’s move to lift an 18-year ban on offshore drilling on most of the country’s outer continental shelf.
In recent months, supporters of producing oil domestically and reducing the country’s dependence on foreign oil have won a few battles, but a larger war on this matter wages. CEA is heartened by the volume of letters sent in support of our position. It underscores not just that there is a silent majority out there, but that a lot of people care deeply about energy independence.
So then, why is it that majority is so often a silent one to the media? Because polar bears do have a lot of appeal. No matter if polar bears are not really at the core of this debate. No matter if they were just polar bear costumes. No matter if those protesters enjoying an early Halloween drove all the way to Washington in cars that run on oil. They play well on TV.
You can entertain ways that our side might dress for comparable success, or comparable media attention, but we haven’t come up with anything really catchy yet. Perhaps this is because the image of responsible oil production and energy independence is really just the image of everyday people going about their business with a little more ease and a little less strain. It’s the image of the family that is not forced to cut back on food to pay for heating oil, of the worker who doesn’t pay excessive amounts of his paycheck on his commute, of the trucker who isn’t taken into the red by filling up at the pump.
If any readers out there can think of an image that might overshadow the salmon costume in Washington, please let us know. Until then, we hope you’ll continue the quiet battle for the attention of our lawmakers. Know that your voices are being heard, even if your attire goes unnoticed.
Tags: CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, Consumer Energy Alliance, Consumer Energy Issues, Department of the Interior, energy, energy policy, energy prices, energy security, energy supply, gas, Obama, ocs, offshore, oil, Secretary Salazar
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Wasn’t the world supposed to have run out of oil by now?
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009
Anyone who has been filling up at the pump for a while understands that oil prices often appear to defy logic. They may rise during recessions, and then, just when everyone is convinced the world is running out of oil, they fall dramatically – like they did at the end of last summer’s run.
This does not mean that there are no economic explanations behind oil price swings, just that they tend to be a lot more intricate than even many serious economists appreciate.
Certainly, if the world were about to run out of oil, we’d all be paying a lot more at the pump: oil prices would not just be volatile, they’d be moving higher and higher. You can only skirt the laws of supply and demand for so long.
Still, the theory of Peak Oil persists. For practical purposes, this is not just the argument that oil is finite in supply and will at some point run out; it’s the theory that that time is either upon us, or has already passed, and that the world is already well on its way to a point where there will be No. More. Oil.
Let’s suppose you know nothing about would oil supply and all the new and improved methods for extracting oil that have led to production in many places that were once not considered feasible. You’d probably still find it curious that inflation-adjusted oil prices today are lower than they were 30 years ago, if indeed the world had already passed its peak supply. The world, in other words, is not anywhere close to peak oil.
There’s recently been some badly-needed discussion dousing water on the notion of peak oil. This New York Times op-ed says that those who promote the idea of peak oil base their conclusions on “anecdotal information, vague references and ignorance of how the oil industry goes about finding fields and extracting petroleum.”
New, more sophisticated extraction methods do not just improve production volumes on the margin. A consensus of geologists now place the world’s reserves of recoverable oil at ten trillion barrels, some eight trillion more than what the peak oil folks say. The fact that scientists with a deep understanding of how oil gets out of the ground believe there is that much oil yet to be produced, points the flimsy science on which so much peak oil fear mongering has been based.
But just assume, for a moment, that all the most optimistic estimates of reserves are the correct ones and that the world has so much oil that conservation is not necessary, even as rapid development in India and China leads to explosive growth in demand. Just because we don’t need to conserve doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. Just because we may not, from a supply perspective, need to invest in alternative sources of energy, doesn’t mean those investments are for naught.
Debunking the notion of peak oil is important for all sorts of reasons, and should help pave the way for a more honest discussion of energy policy. But this “discovery” of new oil should not be taken as a reason to consume with abandon.
For one thing, there’s still that pesky matter of where the oil comes from, and the problems of being dependent on overseas sources.
Reaching agreement on world reserves should also be seen as a means to work toward more price stability. Understanding that sudden price spikes are not the result of a worldwide shortage, should help policy makers better address the real causes of this volatility.
Tags: CEA, Consumer Energy Alliance, energy prices, gasoline, natural gas, oil, price at the pump
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CEA August 2009 Newsletter
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
CEA Newsletter
Issue 29
Message from CEA President David Holt
Last month marked the first anniversary of the withdrawal from the 18-year old presidential moratorium on domestic offshore energy production by President Bush. Though the lifting of the offshore oil & gas drilling ban was a momentous decision, we are still no closer to accessing our vital offshore energy reserves than we were last July. We must continue to work toward a national energy policy that fully leverages America’s abundant offshore energy resources into new jobs, revenue and security for American energy consumers.
As we have often said before – while expanding the use of alternative energy through greater development of wind, solar, nuclear and other energy sources is the ultimate goal, we need to ensure that access to our abundant oil and natural gas resources is achieved as we continue to build that bridge to the future. Further, we have to guarantee that these energy resources are secure and affordable if we have any hope of seeing the national economy rebound.
By curbing our demand, increasing our supplies, especially from conventional energy resources along our coasts, we can reduce our dependence on foreign and unstable regions of the world to keep our economy moving. American families and small businesses deserve policies from the federal government that will actually deliver affordable, efficient and reliable energy. Opening up our offshore areas for responsible energy development is a step in that direction, and Consumer Energy Alliance is proud to tell our federal government that we support offshore oil & gas drilling, as well as offshore alternative energy development.
Please join our efforts and tell the Administration that you support sensible energy production off of our coasts too (click here to send in a letter).
David Holt
President
Support U.S. Offshore Oil & Gas Development!
A significant domestic supply of energy can be safely and efficiently found right here off of America’s shores. The federal government 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!
Support Development of Alaska’s Offshore Oil & Gas Resources!
At a time when the American public is crying out for more domestic energy, Alaska has enormous untapped oil and gas potential, especially in its offshore areas. The waters off Alaska’s coasts hold about 27 billion barrels of oil and 132 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, estimates the federal government.
To begin producing energy from these resource basins, the federal government must take action. Join us in our effort as we build public support for offshore minerals exploration and development in Alaska. Send in your comments today!
CEA Blog: Good for the economy, good for the environment (and not a bad deal for consumers, either)
Check out CEA’s recent blog entry about the government’s cash for clunkers program. Join the conversation at CEA’s website. Read blog…
Consumer Corner: Standby Power
Did you know that many electrical products use energy when plugged in, even if turned off? As you read this, many of your own household appliances and conveniences are using “standby power” – the term for using energy when plugged in, yet not in use.
Standby Power is costly to consumers – about 10 percent of household electricity use is due to standby-powered electronics. At any time, the average home in the United States has 40 products constantly using power without the homeowner realizing it.
To save on home electricity bills and reduce wasteful standby power use, try these tips from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:
Unplug devices that aren’t being used
Use power strips to cut power to groups of electronics at one time
Purchase low-use standby products
Using tips such as these – and more found here – may save you up to 30 percent of the wasted energy being used in your home.
CEA being honored by Bering Omega Community Services
Consumer Energy Alliance is proud to act as the honorary chair for Bering Omega Community Services’ 15th annual SING FOR HOPE on September 19, 2009. The event will feature an intimate evening of classic opera arias and popular showstoppers from favorite musicals.
Proceeds raised by the event will help support Bering Omega’s efforts to provide compassionate healthcare and social services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
If you would like more information on Bering Omega and will be in the Houston area on September 19th, please visit Bering Omega’s website at www.beringomega.org.
Experts: Global Oil “Crunch” Possible Within Next Five Years
Chief Economist of the International Energy Agency Fatih Birol warned Monday that oil fields throughout the world have passed peak production and that an oil “crunch” could develop during upcoming years. Read article…
Asia Sets its Sights on Solar Power
India and China are pursuing aggressive plans to step up their solar energy programs. Read article…
Affiliate Spotlight: American Public Gas Association
Representing publicly- and community-owned gas utilities, the American Public Gas Association (APGA) has more than 700 members throughout 36 states.
“We advocate on issues that impact our members and the communities they serve. We also work across the nation to educate our members on best safety practices, legislative issues, effective business and operational strategies and host conferences promoting the benefits of natural gas as a responsible and efficient energy source,” says President and CEO Bert Kalisch.
APGA’s vision is to be the voice and choice of public gas. In conjunction, the non-profit’s mission is to be an advocate for publicly-owned natural gas systems and effectively educate and communicate with members to promote safety, awareness, performance and competitiveness.
“As an advocate for public natural gas systems we work on behalf of our members to fight for the issues that affect their businesses and customers. From, transparency issues to supply issues, from the affordability of natural gas to promoting its environmental benefits – energy affects all of us,” Kalisch maintains.
One energy issue that is currently top priority to APGA, according to Kalisch, is promoting immediate use and responsible development of renewable and clean burning fossil fuels such as natural gas.
“We have a plentiful supply of natural gas available in the U.S and it is our hope that future energy plans include this clean, responsible and comfortable choice of fuel.”
APGA’s number one goal is to bring natural gas prices back to a long-term affordable level, Kalisch emphasizes.
“Increasing supply is a critical component of the solution to obtaining this goal. The primary reason we have suffered the price increases we have experienced is a natural gas supply/demand imbalance, supply has not been able or allowed to keep pace with demand.”
The imbalance, in large part, is due to federal policies which restrict exploration and production of natural gas.
“This restriction is ironic in light of other federal policies which favor gas use because of its clean-burning properties,” Kalisch maintains, adding that APGA is extremely concerned that congressional efforts to enact climate change legislation will further exacerbate the demand/supply balance.
“Under climate change legislation, natural gas will most likely become the ‘fuel of choice’ for electricity generation and this will further drive up price unless there are equivalent increases in supply.”
As a member of Consumer Energy Alliance, APGA recognizes the need for a strong U.S. energy policy and responsible development of domestic energy.
“We believe in the power of strength in numbers. That belief is the heart of our association and we believe that being a part of a group like the CEA just strengthens our likeminded messages,” Kalisch notes. “All of the affiliates in CEA may not have identical agendas or platforms, but we all understand the country’s incredible need for a comprehensive energy solution. Together as a group we can work together to move our collective agendas forward and finally see a U.S. energy policy that works for America, its citizens, energy producers and our planet.”
For more information on the American Public Gas Association, visit www.apga.org.
Tags: blog, CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, congress, Consumer Energy Alliance, Department of the Interior, energy, energy policy, energy prices, energy security, exploration, gas, offshore, oil
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One year later, a nation still waits for home-grown oil
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
July 14, 2008 should have been an historic day. One year ago today, President Bush lifted an 18-year-old ban on offshore drilling in most of the country’s outer continental shelf (OCS). It was a milestone in the country’s longstanding desire to break its addiction to foreign oil by allowing more responsible production at home.
But today, July 14, 2009, not only is there no new drilling activity, but there are troubling signs that our country is moving in the opposite direction, restricting more land and offshore sites than ever before.
A couple of things have happened in the weeks and months since the OCS ban was lifted. First, a severe economic downturn resulted in the highest unemployment in a generation, diminished corporate profits, and widespread failures of small businesses that could no longer make ends meet. And then, at a time when everyone desperately needed a collective break just to get by, lawmakers put up a series of new barriers destined to put the country right back on the old, unsustainable path of buying increasing volumes of fuel from overseas.
This past February, Interior secretary Ken Salazar rescinded 77 leases that had already been awarded on energy-rich land in Utah and shut down an oil shale leasing program that had been focused on cleaner, more efficient ways to tap vast U.S. shale reserves.
A policy of restricting so much domestic oil production was never logical, but in the current environment it is downright foolhardy. The government is pumping hundreds of billions of stimulus dollars into the economy, but cutting off one of our most pervasive industries.
Today, House Ranking Member Doc Hastings along with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Tom Pyle, who heads the Institute for Energy Research will hold a press conference on Capitol Hill to call attention to this lack of progress over the past year.
The event begins at 11 a.m. For more information about this important event, contact Congressman Hastings’ office at (202) 226-2311.
Tags: CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, congress, Consumer Energy Alliance, Consumer Energy Issues, Department of the Interior, drilling ban, energy, energy policy, energy prices, energy supply, exploration, foreign oil, gas, natural gas, ocs, offshore drilling, Secretary Salazar
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Call to action: CEA needs your help in securing greater supplies of offshore oil & gas!
Friday, July 10th, 2009
The country’s extreme dependence on foreign fuel is all the more stunning when you consider the abundance of untapped oil and natural gas that lies within our borders and below our coastal waters.
The federal government estimates conservatively that there are 288 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 52 billion barrels of oil in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). If those kinds of numbers make you glaze over, here’s a better visual: The estimated reserves would provide enough gasoline for 132 million cars and heating oil for 54 million homes for 15 years along with enough natural gas to heat 72 million homes for 60 years.
Alternatively, it could supply current industrial and commercial needs for 28 years, or all of the country’s electricity generating needs for 53 years. That’s a lot of fuel that wouldn’t have to be shipped here from somewhere else.
And none of that includes Alaska. The federal government estimates that the waters off Alaska hold about 27 billion barrels of oil and 132 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
This is oil and gas the country badly needs. Even under the most aggressive projections for the development of alternative energy sources, U.S. demand for oil and natural gas is expected to continue to grow for at least 20 years.
The process of selling offshore leases is a complex matter with a complex history that is outlined in more detail on our home page. The key point to remember, however, is that this is a critical time for determining the country’s energy development policy for years to come, and potentially reversing a moratorium on new offshore leasing that has been in place since 1983.
CEA’s members understand that a strong and steady supply of domestic oil will not only help reduce oil price volatility; it will support jobs and all the multiple industries that run on oil, while providing relief to families and small businesses. Now we need your help in making sure that message is heard loud and clear.
The Call to Action on our Web site outlines why more oil friendly policies are critical to our economy, and explains how you can help by writing to the Obama administration. Feel free to use the attached text, or to write in your own words about what greater domestic energy production would mean to you, your business and your community.
And please write soon. The public comments period closes in September.
Tags: Add new tag, CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, congress, Consumer Energy Alliance, Department of the Interior, energy, energy independence, energy policy, energy prices, energy supply, exploration, gas, government, MMS, natural gas, Obama, ocs, offshore, oil, Secretary Salazar, the Consumer Energy Alliance
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Offshore drilling and pristine beaches: No reason you can’t have both
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
Anyone unsure about how much oil drilling technology has improved in recent years need look no further than Santa Barbara, Calif.*
Environmental and oil interests in Santa Barbara aren’t always aligned, and yet day to day, they coexist extremely well. That is to say, that on just about any given day in Santa Barbara, you’ll find surfers riding waves, families playing in the sand, sunbathers basking in a climate so perfect it’s commonly called American Riviera … and off in the horizon, a series of oil platforms.
For first time visitors, these rigs are something of a curiosity, but soon enough they become part of the scenery. Far from the beach, there may be heated debates over whether those rigs should be there at all, but on the beach, no one seems bothered.
It’s important to keep Santa Barbara in mind now as many states around the country, including some popular tourist destinations like Florida, consider new offshore drilling projects as a way to breathe life into their economies.
Earlier this month, the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee approved expanded oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, a region near the coast of Florida which lawmakers had previously deemed an oil-free zone. It was a breakthrough in efforts to adopt a more reasonable offshore drilling policy that would protect the environment and the tourism industry, while stimulating the economy. And while certain groups are, as expected, strongly opposed to any loosening of restrictions in the eastern Gulf, Florida’s tourism industry was not one of them.
Florida’s beaches are a main destination for tourists from around the country and the world, so it’s reasonable to assume the state’s tourism sector would come down on the anti-drilling side, if for no other reason than a desire not to preserve the status quo.
Last year, however, the tourism industry in Florida realized that preventing change in its own backyard would not prevent change from coming.
That change careened into Florida last summer in the form of crippling oil prices that put the brakes on a lot of tourism. Suddenly, a few oil platforms on the horizon didn’t seem like the worst thing that could happen. Not even close, actually.
In a landmark meeting, the state’s tourism executives hosted a summit to consider whether beaches and oil rigs could successfully coexist and the state’s advertising tourism arm, Visit Florida, reversed a longstanding opposition to offshore drilling. Governor Charlie Crist noted that while Florida was obliged to protect its beautiful beaches, it also had to support policies that would enable people to travel to the state.
One year later, the debate is still raging. But the fact that there’s a debate at all — in a state whose beaches attract millions of tourists — is progress.
The oil industry, of course, understands that tourism on the coast and industry offshore can work well together, particularly given its steadily increased focus on cleaner drilling technologies. After years of trying to get the word out about these improvements, people are starting to listen.
*In 1969, there was a devastating spill off the coast of Santa Barbara, and while the oil that washed up on shore is long gone, the memories and the fears still linger. It’s hard to make a strong argument for the merits of offshore drilling without acknowledging that accident. That spill forty years ago set in motion a wave of environmental activism, as well as a drive within the oil industry to develop better, safer drilling practices and operate with heightened sensitivity to its surroundings.
Tags: Add new tag, CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, clean, congress, consumer energy alliance grass roots, consumer energy alliance grassroots, Department of the Interior, energy, energy policy, energy prices, energy supply, environment, exploration, Florida, gas, government, natural gas, offshore drilling, oil, tourism
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Domestic Oil and Natural Gas Supply: An Important Piece of the Puzzle
Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
Posted by: American Chemistry Council
Energy prices are down, but maybe not for long. The global recession has dampened demand for energy, giving us all a respite from the high prices we saw last summer. Many economists will tell you that today’s relatively lower energy prices are a function of “demand destruction” created by the downturn and that with the hoped-for recovery may come a resurgence in energy costs. After all, the underlying supply-demand situation has not changed. That should get us all thinking about what kind of U.S. energy policy is going to be needed to address our energy challenges.
Some energy policies are getting well-deserved attention in Congress and elsewhere. Energy efficiency and conservation policies were prominent in the stimulus package enacted by Congress. That was a good start, and policymakers are considering new pieces of legislation to encourage energy efficiency. Another key element of a sound energy policy – energy diversity – is emerging in the energy and climate debate, but more action is needed. The nation will need diverse supplies of low-emission energy, including alternatives and renewables, nuclear, carbon capture and sequestration and combined heat and power, if we are to advance greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals while meeting growing energy demand. Congress must enact policies that lead to significant investment, research, development and deployment of such important energy sources and technologies. The change needed is transformational, and these options must be brought online as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, one important piece of a comprehensive energy policy is missing. That piece is expanded domestic oil and natural gas supply.
It’s certainly exciting to see talk of potential new energy supplies in the United States . For example, shale natural gas supplies – if deposits are as extensive as believed and if they are found, made accessible, developed and brought to market quickly – could have far-reaching benefits for consumers and for industries such as chemistry that rely on natural gas. Yet Congress needs to develop a strategic, thoughtful policy approach to domestic energy resources and how they can be used to help accomplish our energy, environmental and economic goals.
Domestic energy sources such as on-shore and off-shore natural gas fit in well with a clean energy economy. Natural gas is used for cleaner electricity generation, leading to a 69 percent increase in electricity-related natural gas demand from 1997 to 2007. Natural gas is used to make cleaner transportation fuels such as ultra-low-sulfur diesel. It’s used for fertilizer to grow renewable energy crops, hydrogen for fuel cells, and as a key raw material, or “feedstock” for chemistry products that go into energy efficiency and renewable energy applications, including building insulation, solar panels, wind turbines, lightweight vehicle parts, lithium-ion batteries, energy-efficient appliances, automotive and industrial lubricants, low-rolling-resistance tires, and many more. (Feedstock use does not emit GHGs). The clean energy demands placed on natural gas – already high today – will grow sharply as the U.S. seeks to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll need an accessible, affordable domestic supply to keep pace with these demands. Yet America does not have the ability to access the supplies we have and need.
What should Congress do? We believe that access to potential offshore supplies of oil and natural gas should be expanded. We believe Congress should require that, once a potential supply of energy has been confirmed, the government should take immediate steps to list that resource on the inventory and entertain proposals to lease those resources. And perhaps most importantly, Congress needs to recognize the fundamental economic drivers that lie behind the development of additional oil and gas supplies. We may well have sufficient supplies of shale gas to last for decades – but economics dictates which supplies can be tapped first and brought to market quickly. That process needs to happen without market-distorting subsidies.
As demonstrated by last year’s decision to not renew America’s outdated bans on offshore energy development, Congress has also recognized the importance of offshore domestic energy to the United States. Congress should move ahead with legislation that ensures American energy resources are fully explored, developed and brought to market before the next “crisis.” We should not wait for energy prices to climb again, following economic recovery, to determine how we’ll put offshore domestic energy resources to work for our clean energy future and our economy. Among other benefits, let’s not forget that offshore energy development can generate billions for the U.S. Treasury.
The American public is supportive, too. Public opinion surveys consistently show that at least two-thirds of Americans support offshore oil and natural gas development. They understand that an affordable, reliable supply of energy is critical to the economy, to a globally competitive U.S. manufacturing sector, and to millions of jobs.
The other industrialized nations of the world – from the U.K. to Norway, Ireland to Brazil – make meaningful use of their offshore energy resources as part of a smart, present-day energy strategy. Given today’s offshore energy development technology and track record http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_acc/bin.asp?CID=217&DID=4703&DOC=FILE.PDF, as part of a broader energy policy, it only makes sense for the United States to do the same.
Tags: American Chemistry Council, American energy, congress, demand destruction, domestic, domestic oil, emissions, energy efficiency, energy prices, global recession, greenhouse gas, hydrogen fuel cell, natural gas, shale, sulfur diesel, United States, wind turbine
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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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Outlines of New Offshore Energy Plan Signal Government’s Interest in Delivering Affordable, Secure Energy
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
HOUSTON – January 16, 2009 David Holt, president of Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), issued the following statement this afternoon on the outline of a new five-year energy plan released today by the federal government, one that takes meaningful steps to keep prices low at home, while rolling back our dependence on foreign energy:
“As our economy begins the long road back to recovery, news today of the government’s intent to partner up with energy consumers across the country to deliver the resources we need is a welcome development – and one that will ensure our current economic downturn is both temporary and contained. For far too long, access to affordable energy was considered a given. The events of this past summer taught us differently, and today’s announcement by the Interior Department provides the first real indication that we’ve learned our lesson and are finally prepared to act on it.
“There’s never a bad time to get behind a plan to create new jobs, generate new revenue, and provide affordable, reliable energy to the people who need it. But rarely has there been a more important time. Now is the time to act, and this is the blueprint to follow.”
CEA is a non-profit, non-partisan energy consumer group that has long advocated a national energy policy that focuses on creating a diverse portfolio of energy supplies, from wind to solar to biofuels to petroleum and clean-burning natural gas.
With more than 100 affiliated organizations and thousands of consumer-advocates, 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: biofuels, CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, Consumer Energy Alliance, consumer energy alliance grass roots, consumer energy alliance grassroots, Consumer Energy Issues, Department of the Interior, energy policy, energy prices, energy security, foreign energy, government, natural gas, oil, petroleum, solar, wind
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Consumer Energy Alliance Appears Before Congressional Energy Forum
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), a non-profit, non-partisan energy consumer advocacy group, appeared before a Congressional energy forum hosted by Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, on Capitol Hill today to discuss the impacts of high energy prices across all economic sectors.
“I was honored to appear before Representative Barton’s energy forum on behalf of CEA and discuss the impacts of high energy prices and possible solutions to improve U.S. energy policy,” said Michael Whatley, vice president of CEA.
CEA hosted its inaugural Energy Forum on Capitol Hill last week 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”.
With almost 60 Members of Congress on its Host Committee, the forum featured remarks from Congressional representatives and representatives from both the Obama and McCain presidential campaigns, as well as leaders from key consuming sectors of the economy, who addressed Energy Forum attendees about the impacts that high energy costs are having on consumers and ways in which high energy costs could be alleviated. The forum also featured an in-depth discussion of CEA’s energy price impact publication.
“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,” said Whatley.
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.
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: Capitol Hill, CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, Committee on Energy & Commerce, congress, Consumer Energy Alliance, consumer energy alliance grass roots, consumer energy alliance grassroots, Consumer Energy Issues, energy, Energy Forum, energy policy, energy prices, energy security, McCain, Obama, stable energy prices
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Consumer Energy Alliance Celebrates Victory as Congress Allows Moratorium on Offshore Drilling and Oil Shale Production to Expire
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008
Plans to fight against promised atttempts to ban energy development next year
HOUSTON – SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) celebrated Congress’ decision to allow access to domestic offshore drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and oil shale resources.
“Consumer Energy Alliance applauds the Congressional decision to lift its long-standing ban on development of our abundant offshore oil & natural gas resources and domestic oil shale resources. This is a major step in the right direction. But it is the first step on a long path toward reducing our dependence on imported oil. We must continue to work for expanded drilling for oil & gas, increased use of alternative energy – including nuclear, solar, wind and biofuels – and enhanced energy efficiency and conservation,” said CEA President David Holt.
While the expiration of the 26-year ban on offshore drilling will allow for exploration and producation to take place off of the nation’s East and West coasts, it does not extend to the Gulf coast of Florida – where a ban on drilling was placed until 2022 as part of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006. The government estimates that offshore waters contain an estimated 86 billion barrels of undiscovered oil and 420 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas.
The expiration of the moratorium on oil shale production, which had been in place for a year, will allow for exploration of oil shale in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado – an area rich with resources estimated to be three times that of Saudi Arabia’s oil reserves.
“We need more energy now and our political leaders must move to quickly enact a comprehensive energy policy. On behalf of our affiliate organizations representing consumers, manufacturers, small business, agriculture, retirees and energy providers, CEA welcomes Congress’ decision as a significant first step toward an improved energy policy,” Holt said.
Though Congress allowed the ban on offshore drilling to expire this year as part of its response to rising energy prices and increased public support for drilling, several members of Congress have pledged to re-implement the bans as soon as possible in 2009 under the new Administration and with the support of several anti-energy campaigns.
In anticipation of efforts to reinstate the moratorium, CEA has already ramped up efforts to increase public support of a balanced energy policy that includes access to domestic oil and gas resources.
Just last month, CEA completed a campaign to gather comments in support of the establishment of a commercial oil shale program and launched the More Energy Now! national campaign and website. CEA continues to gather public support for the Department of Interior’s New Five Year Plan process, which could give the next administration a two-year advance in developing and expanding offshore energy production in federal waters.
CEA is a non-profit, non-partisan energy consumer group that has long advocated a national energy policy that focuses on creating a diverse portfolio of energy supplies, from wind to solar to biofuels to petroleum and clean-burning natural gas.
With more than 100 affiliated organizations and thousands of consumer-advocates, 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: alternative energy, biofuelss, CEA, CEA Energy Grass Roots, congress, conservation, Consumer Energy Alliance, consumer energy alliance grass roots, consumer energy alliance grassroots, Consumer Energy Issues, Department of Interior, domestic, energy, energy efficiency, energy policy, energy prices, exploration, Five Year Plan, gas, Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006, natural gas, nuclear, ocs, offshore drilling, oil, oil shale, Outer Continental Shelf, solar, stable energy prices, wind
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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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