With Prime Minister Harper in Washington, non-partisan consumer group calls on North American leaders to reject LCFS proposals
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today, Prime Minister Steven Harper met with President Barack Obama to discuss a number of critical issues – and energy, as expected, was among the most prominent. David Holt, president of Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), issued this statement in response:
“Canada is among our most important economic and strategic partners and a critical supplier of secure, affordable energy to American consumers; indeed, we get more of our energy from Canada than any other country in the world. It’s a relationship that very much serves our interest to preserve, protect and strengthen – and we’re hopeful that today’s meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Harper serves to do precisely that.
“In plain terms, though, this relationship would be put in serious peril if efforts in Congress to pass a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard scheme were ultimately successful. It’s our hope these two world leaders had the occasion to discuss this threat, and that President Obama had the chance to hear firsthand how serious the consequences surrounding a policy like that would be.”
“While an LCFS may sound attractive, its intent and purpose is to ban affordable and reliable North American energy from reaching American consumers. The result? Increase American energy dependence on some of the most unstable regions of the world and significantly higher fuel prices for consumer, businesses and farmers throughout the nation.”
Known as CEA’s “Secure Our Fuels” campaign, the work of enlisting the American people in support of affordable energy nationwide kicked off several two weeks ago with radio and television ads running in several key states to engage those who stand to be most impacted under an LCFS. Visit SecureOurFuels.org to view our latest television and radio ads, and learn more about how an LCFS will increase energy costs for American consumers while expanding our dependence on foreign, unstable regions of the world to fuel our economy.
NOTE:
- In a positive development, the US State Department recently helped strengthening our critical energy partnership with Canada. In August, an executive order was signed, helping to ensure that the Alberta Clipper pipeline project continues to move forward, which will help deliver more affordable energy from one of our closest allies to America’s small businesses, working families and retirees. Click HERE to read more about this commonsense, job-creating development.
- Legislative proposals, such as a low-carbon fuel standard (LCFS), which was originally included in the Waxman-Markey climate bill, would effectively ban Canadian energy from reaching American consumers. This would invariably raise gas prices at the pump and expand our dependence on energy from some of the most unfriendly regions of the world. Studies have even determined that an LCFS may even increase greenhouse gas emissions. It is expected that the US Senate – either as a stand-alone bill, or as part of a large climate-change proposal – will consider an LCFS this fall.
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