Barrasso-Manchin Permitting Reform Bill Is Win for Families, Small Businesses

July 22, 2024

• Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 Breaks Permitting Reform Stalemate
• Current Administration’s Opposition to Reform for All Energy Forms Has Kept Prices High

WASHINGTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading advocate for sensible energy policies that provide all available choices to families, small businesses, manufacturers, and farmers, applauds Senators Manchin (I-WV) and Barrasso (R-WY) for introducing the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024.

This long-overdue permitting reform legislation comprehensively addresses the issues that are strangling critical American energy production and infrastructure, and saddling energy consumers with the high costs of gas, electricity, and heating oil. The current Administration ignored these desperately needed reforms to the federal permitting process, delaying the addition of reliable and diverse energy solutions, which in turn increased costs for consumers.

“Congress has been trying to pass permitting reform for years now. One side wants only reform for clean energy projects, while the other wants streamlined reviews for oil and gas permitting and other onshore and offshore lease sales. This has created a stalemate that prevented the advance any sort of positive changes,” Consumer Energy Alliance President David Holt said. “The fact is that permitting all energy types is critical to maintaining affordable, reliable energy for American families and businesses.”

“In the face of mounting energy costs, increased strain on the electrical grid and warnings of frequent blackouts around the country, this legislation is long overdue. Hopefully, it can keep the important facets of environmental reviews while limiting the frequency of drawn-out lawsuits against energy projects, so the U.S. can get back on track to providing affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy for its families and businesses.”

Current permitting practices can add years to finalizing much-needed energy projects, particularly pipelines and transmission lines that carry energy to our homes and offices. In the fight for affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy policy, permitting reform is a win for consumers and American energy, and our ability to continue being a leader in energy independence.

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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

CEA Thanks Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro For Signing Bipartisan Carbon Capture Bill into Law

July 18, 2024

• Law will accelerate billions in carbon capture, hydrogen hub opportunities
• Carbon capture poised to generate well-paying building trade jobs

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement regarding the signing into law of SB831, concerning carbon capture and storage, after its bipartisan passage in the legislature.

“It is heartening to see Gov. Shapiro sign into law a bipartisan carbon capture bill that ensures that the Commonwealth’s industries can lower their environmental footprint while continuing to ensure affordable and reliable energy,” Consumer Energy Alliance Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Mike Butler said. “This law provides the necessary framework for the carbon capture industry to accelerate, which will create many well-paying jobs for the building trades.”

“Opponents of this bill were opposing jobs and industries that have provided generations of Pennsylvania’s workers with the means to feed their families, and their ability to do that for generations into the future,” Butler said. “Had they succeeded in getting a veto, they would have robbed the Commonwealth of an integral component of the two multi-billion dollar hydrogen hubs which the federal government awarded to the state.”

“We thank Senator Yaw for his leadership in bringing this bill to passage and Gov. Shapiro for securing more generations of jobs for Pennsylvania’s working families by signing this act into law.”

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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

Polling Shows Likely Voters in Montana Solidly Oppose Gas Car Ban and Consider the Issue ‘Important’ for 2024

July 17, 2024

WASHINGTON – The United States is on the wrong track and there is strong opposition to government policies designed to ban new gas-powered vehicles, according to new polling among likely voters conducted in Montana on behalf of Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) and American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM).

A supermajority of likely voters say that this policy issue will be important to them when deciding which elected officials to support in 2024.

Remington Research Group conducted the polling, fielded in Montana from June 29-July 1, measuring likely voter sentiment around the direction of the country, issue importance, gas car bans, energy policy, and support for candidates who embrace such policies. Highlights of the polls are as follows:

Montanans believe the United States is headed in the wrong direction.

64% wrong track, 29% right track, 7% not sure

If the Presidential election were held today, Donald Trump would win Montana.

56% Trump, 36% Biden, 3% Kennedy, 1% West, 0% Stein, 4% Undecided

On a generic Congressional ballot, Republicans are polling higher than Democrats in Montana.

54% Republican, 39% Democrat, 7% Undecided

The majority of likely voters in Montana oppose gas-car bans.

66% oppose, 16% support, 18% undecided

A supermajority in Montana reports that a candidate’s position on stopping bans on new gas cars is an important factor in their vote.

68% important, 13% not important

Consumer Energy Alliance Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura issued the following statement on the new polling:

“Montanans know that America is on the wrong track, as the poll results demonstrate. The only thing Washington is delivering for Montana is burdensome regulations and failed, unpopular policies — like the EPA’s de facto gas car ban. We should be fighting for consumer choice at a time when many Americans are being hurt by high costs and inflation, not stifling it.”

AFPM President and CEO Chet Thompson issued the following statement on the new polling:

“This new polling underscores what we have been hearing from the American people of all political stripes for months — that they do not want the government banning gas cars, mandating electric vehicles, or imposing regulations that restrict access to the types of cars that best meet a family’s needs and budget.”

“Elected officials should take note that the American people care about this issue and are watching to see whether Congress will stand up and overturn EPA’s regulation banning the sale of most new gas cars.”

Methodology:
Survey conducted June 29 through July 1, 2024. 570 likely 2024 General Election voters participated in the survey. Survey weighted to match expected turnout demographics for the 2024 General Election. Margin of Error is +/-4% with a 95% level of confidence. Totals do not always equal 100% due to rounding.

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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

Hosting a July Fourth BBQ? Prices Have Changed a Lot in NJ

June 29, 2024

Woman Cooking Meat on Propane Barbecue Grill

As higher energy prices continue to ripple through the economy, increasing the prices of food and other necessities, CEA President David Holt talks about the impact this will have on 4th of July cookouts across New Jersey.

“Year over year in New Jersey, we’re seeing the average price increase for groceries at about 6.5%, which is a little more than the national average, which is about 5%,” David Holt, president of Consumer Energy Alliance, told New Jersey 101.5.

Retired First Responders Help DTE Handle Storms’ Aftermath

June 28, 2024

Down power lines and electric equipment in residential neighborhood

As electric utilities across the country look to improve storm response, CEA Midwest Executive Director talked about a new program being deployed in Michigan using retired first responders to help ensure power outages can be addressed as soon as possible.

“Utilities are first responders when storms hit, so bringing in retired officers and firefighters who understand their community to ensure the safe restoration of power is a win for families and small businesses that rely on affordable, reliable and environmentally sound energy.”

CEA Applauds Ohio Legislature for Protecting Consumer Choice in the Automotive Marketplace

June 26, 2024

Following the passage of Senate Resolution 155 which supports consumer choice in the automotive marketplace, Consumer Energy Alliance released the following statement by Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura:

“We applaud Senator Gavarone and the overwhelming majority of Senators for believing that Ohioans should have access to cars and trucks that meet their diverse mobility needs – not limited by misguided, draconian policies that deny consumer choice in the automotive marketplace that have been proven to increase costs while offering no meaningful environmental benefit.”

CEA’s report, Freedom to Fuel: Consumer Choice in the Automotive Marketplace, details how electric vehicle mandates will force consumers into paying more in overall transportation costs and create potentially catastrophic pressure on the electric grid if those and other serious issues are not addressed beforehand. It also examines key constraints that must be addressed by policymakers before widespread EV adoption can successfully occur, including infrastructure build-out, the ability of electric generation to meet increased demand and critical mineral scarcity.

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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’re 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

Fact Finders: Gas Prices Are Falling. Why?

June 25, 2024

As Arizonans see gas prices moderate for the first time in months, Consumer Energy Alliance looks at the summer travel season and how consumers can continue to cope with historically high prices.

The main reasons are lower demand and higher supply. We checked with the Consumer Energy Alliance, which expects prices to continue to trickle down, possibly into winter. For now, we aren’t driving as much as expected – possibly because consumers have hit a spending limit with inflation. Seventy-one million people are expected to travel for the Fourth of July, and this is expected to be an active hurricane season, so both of those factors could affect supply and demand.

Michiganders Need the Great Lakes Tunnel

June 25, 2024

Consumer Energy Alliance’s independent, third-party report Enbridge Line 5 | Shutdown Impacts on Transportation Fuel which examined the consumer impact of shutting down Line 5 was recently discussed by Derek Dalling, executive director of the Michigan Propane Gas Association.

According to the Consumer Energy Alliance, the total economic impact would be around $5.4 billion per year, due to higher energy costs and massive drops in economic productivity. Thousands of jobs would be lost.

Consumer Group Welcomes Approval of Critical Energy Infrastructure

June 25, 2024

Columbus, OH – Today, the Iowa Utilities Board approved a permit to build and operate the first new carbon pipeline in the Midwest, designed to capture carbon emissions from 50 ethanol plants for safe sequestration in North Dakota. Consumer Energy Alliance Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura issued the following statement:

“We applaud the Iowa Utilities Board for their diligent work evaluating and approving the proposed Midwest Carbon Express pipeline permit. Safely capturing, transporting, and storing the CO2 emissions from ethanol plants across Iowa and neighboring states will ensure that Iowa’s ethanol industry will be able to continue to supply the fuel necessary to meet new emissions regulations while continuing to protect our shared environment. The stable and predictable energy supplies that advance affordability and reliability are supported by investments in projects like Midwest Carbon Express that will help people in Iowa communities maintain jobs, support a family-sustaining wage, and local communities as we strive to meet our emissions goals.”

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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

Digital Desk: Relief for High Gas Prices

June 24, 2024

CEA’s David Holt sat down with Action News 5 to talk about the impact high gas prices have had on summer travel plans.

Watch here – Action News 5

Consumer Energy Alliance