WASHINGTON, D.C. –In response to today’s announcement by the Biden Administration of an order to pause issuing oil and gas leases on all federal lands and waters for an indefinite period, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) President David Holt issued the following statement:
“Unfortunately, today’s moratorium isn’t about climate change or helping lower global emissions. The fact remains that the U.S. for two decades has led the world in environmental improvement by delivering the largest absolute emissions reductions year after year, even while becoming one of the largest producers of oil and gas. We have demonstrated to the rest of the globe the resolve, discipline and ingenuity required to meet environmental goals, economic needs and energy requirements simultaneously.”
“Our nation is already more than halfway toward reaching our emissions reduction goals under the Paris climate accord, while other nations like China and Russia with weak or non-existent environmental controls have no obligation to reduce theirs. Since economic output and emissions are so closely tied together, we encourage the Biden Administration to look at how to balance both priorities without targeting an industry that provides as much as 8% of the country’s gross domestic product.
“Already, the Administration’s actions affecting the energy industry have cost American laborers jobs and further similar moves will hurt our post-COVID recovery, all to satisfy the demands of interest groups for whom no environmental action, no matter how strong, is enough.”
“This decision will not help our environmental performance or combat climate change – it will do the opposite. By handing American energy production back to unstable foreign energy producers with weak or non-existent environmental controls, we are contributing to greater global emissions and creating higher energy costs at home.”
“While we continue to expand the use of wind and solar and improve our energy efficiency, traditional energy from federal lands remains critical to America’s ability to serve the growing energy needs of its families and small businesses. Federal lands and waters account for 12% of U.S. natural gas production and nearly a quarter of U.S. oil production, and provide billions in royalties that pay for environmental improvement and conservation across the country that is now at risk.”
“Unfortunately, this decision will risk the U.S. destroying 1 million jobs by 2022 and increasing energy prices at a time when the nation can least afford it. On top of the American laborers, workers, families, and small businesses who depend on reliable, affordable energy for their daily needs, those among us living at or below the poverty line in struggling rural and urban communities, or getting by on fixed incomes, will face outsized harm.”
“With the latest calls for unity, we must all recognize the need for compromise and support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. There are ample ways to accomplish our shared emission reduction goals that do not include overly restricting American companies in a way that costs consumers and eliminates jobs, while pledging employment that does not exist yet.”
“A promise is no replacement for a steady paycheck. Consumer Energy Alliance stands ready to work together to achieve our climate and environmental goals while protecting the safe, affordable and reliable energy that improves the lives of all of America’s homes and businesses.”
