Consumer Energy Alliance Highlights Need to Balance Environment and Economy During U.S. House and Senate Offshore Energy Hearings
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance, the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for families and businesses, today called on the U.S. Congress to focus on helping and defending the Gulf Coast’s economy and families from the unnecessarily punitive effects of a forced energy moratorium.
During a day of hearings in the U.S. House and Senate focused on offshore energy development, CEA is asking policymakers to join them in advocating for building and sustaining an energy future that balances environmental aspirations with economic realities.
The effort is part of CEA’s Campaign for America’s Energy, which brings together people from across the nation to talk about how to support smart policies that drive environmental improvement while ensuring that Americans’ day-to-day economic and energy needs are met, without placing anyone at risk of financial harm or job loss.
Through a series of videos, CEA has been highlighting the importance of energy to American families and businesses through untold personal stories. Responsible development of all of our energy resources – and specifically in the Gulf Coast – from solar to wind to natural gas, can help sustain our local restaurants, grocery stores and small businesses who depend on a healthy economy to put food on the table.
“With the diverse heritage and cultures across the Gulf Coast and the nation, we can find our way forward by working together to explore new energy options and environmental pathways as a country. Energy and environmental issues should be above politics, and as the House and Senate are considering offshore energy legislation, we ask that they put the citizens they serve first when creating policies that will affect their lives, livelihoods and wallets,” CEA Federal Affairs Advisor Michael Zehr said.
“Even with the uncertainty our states, businesses and communities have endured in the past year, it is abundantly clear that we can meet our energy needs and lead the world in environmental stewardship. It is without question that America is doing more than any other nation to meet global environmental challenges.”
“CEA remains concerned about overly restrictive policies that limit U.S. oil, gas and wind opportunities and fail to advance environmental safeguards. Americans don’t need one-size-fits-all energy plans that hinder wind and oil and gas development while arbitrarily deciding that real, existing jobs are less important than the promise of future jobs that don’t yet pay the bills.”
“The Biden Administration’s earliest actions on energy including a moratorium on federal leasing have already unleashed unintended consequences on many Americans, including the destruction of thousands of jobs. But the effects spread past the energy sector, and CEA is committed to telling those stories to demonstrate the real-life consequences that energy policies have on everyday people. Policymakers need to hear from communities around the nation to learn more about how energy moratoriums and restrictive policies are and will continue to hurt them.”
“Gulf Coast energy plays a critical role in meeting our energy needs and advancing our economy, and it does so in an environmentally responsible manner. The Gulf’s production has one of the world’s lowest environmental impacts because America’s regulations are the gold standard for the world, and our companies use the best technology available. Preserving the Gulf’s ability to produce energy responsibly directly supports environmental stewardship and coastal conservation, by generating billions of dollars in revenue and royalty that can continue to be passed onto state and federal programs that improve our nation’s environment.”
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is the leading voice for sensible energy and environmental policies for consumers, bringing together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers, and manufacturers to support America’s environmentally sustainable energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, we are committed to leading the nation’s dialogue around energy, its critical role in the economy, and how it supports the vital supply chains for the families and businesses that depend on them. CEA works daily to encourage communities across the nation to seek sensible, realistic, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet our nation’s energy needs.
Contact:
Bryson Hull
(202) 657-2855
bhull@consumerenergyalliance.org