Andrew Browning, CEA’s Executive Vice President, was quoted on the recent release of CEA’s “The Importance of Affordable and Abundant Oil and Natural Gas for Colorado” report.
“Colorado has fast become one of America’s leaders in safe, economical oil and natural gas production, rejuvenating communities statewide and helping families and businesses of all sizes reduce expenses, growth and prosper via abundant sources of locally-made, affordable energy.”
Read more – The Heartland Institute
The energy sector will play a crucial role in the future of Ohio’s economic development, industry leaders and politicians agree, especially as petrochemical and gas-powered energy plants come online in the coming years. Since the beginning of the exploration in the Utica shale in 2006, the economic value added of the energy industry in Ohio has totaled $37.9 billion, according to the executive director of the Consumer Energy Alliance’s mid-Atlantic region, Mike Butler.
Listen here – KDKA-AM Pittsburgh
While at Shale Insight, CEA’s Mike Butler had the opportunity to discuss one of CEA’s most recent reports, “Powering West Virginia,” with The Dominion Post.
Shale gas talk usually focuses on jobs and economic growth, Butler said. But the shale boom’s resultant low energy prices have helped businesses and families – particularly fixed- and low-income families.
Read more – The Dominion Post
MONTICELLO, M.N. — U.S. Representative Tom Emmer and State Representative Nick Zerwas were joined by business leaders, labor leaders, policymakers and academia today to discuss the need for bipartisan and sensible energy solutions for Minnesota that includes the growth of all resources and the expansion of its pipeline infrastructure. Speakers discussed an array of hot-button energy issues and the importance of local development to the economy, job creation and Minnesota’s competitiveness at today’s forum hosted by Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) at the Monticello Community Center. Minnesota State Representative Tama Theis was also in attendance.
The event brought together the following business and labor leaders to share their perspectives on Minnesota’s energy policy in the context of jobs, the economy, the environment and U.S. competitiveness:
Ventura said he hopes voters remember the importance of energy infrastructure and jobs when they head to the polls in a few weeks.
“Energy issues are critical to Minnesota’s future, and we look forward to implementing our goals of improving energy infrastructure, ensuring energy independence and diversity and increasing access to more affordable, reliable energy,” he said. “This will help lower energy costs for families and small businesses across the state and provide stronger opportunities for manufacturers and businesses to create jobs.”
U.S. Representative Tom Emmer reflected on the importance of energy to the competitiveness of Minnesota’s businesses and how they can embrace existing technology, in addition to developing new energy technologies to benefit the country.
“Our nation’s growing domestic energy production means more people are looking to Minnesota to lead the way. As our state continues to develop new, innovative technology for efficient energy use, it is my hope we will embrace every available option: wind, solar, natural gas, oil, bio-fuels, nuclear and everything in between,” Emmer said.
This is a message doubters and critics of energy production and infrastructure should keep in mind, MN Rep. Zerwas said.
“Recent events have shown that environmental protesters are willing to use very dangerous tactics to prevent the lawful construction and replacement of Line 3 Minnesota must update our laws in order to deal with these escalating protests and sabotage attempts,” Zerwas said.
During a discussion about the importance of reasonable energy solutions for Minnesota, Evans discussed how Xcel’s been focused on environmental benefits and how energy economics are driving decisions.
“While adding to Xcel’s wind portfolio and adding solar energy, we are pleased to be continuing the ‘Steel for Fuel’ initiative that will help us to produce 85% carbon free energy by 2030,” said Evans. “After starting down this path more than a decade ago, we look forward to continuing for the next decade and beyond, in partnership with our policy makers.”
Dukowitz said fast-growing UMC has more than 15 open jobs to fill and as such has launched two new efforts – one focused on non-skilled/non-traditional operators; another on youth STEM Summer employment opportunities. Both programs were launched with comprehensive in-house training plans to deliver on-the-job training, formal e-learning and mentoring.
“By taking the next step to broaden access to younger workers and those who maybe aren’t familiar with manufacturing, we hope to tap into new pools of motivated workers looking for careers and long-term professional growth with us,” Dukowitz said. “We know we have to keep challenging the traditional staffing models and get creative.”
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households across the country. We believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we develop our diverse energy resources and energy’s importance to the economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.
Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org
Speakers at CEA’s 2018 Ohio Energy and Manufacturing Forum focused on the need for embracing an energy dialogue that allows for a diverse mix of energy resources to make the region more competitive to unleash new economic opportunities.
“We’re in the center of this incredible shale revolution in the Appalachian region with an incredible opportunity. We haven’t seen this type of opportunity since really the birth of the steel industry,” Butler said. “What’s coming down the pike in the natural-gas revolution, the downstream development in the infrastructure and pipelines being built, ultimately results in projects like the Shell cracker plant in Beaver County [Pennsylvania] and petrochemical facilities in Belmont County, Ohio.”
Read more – The Business Journal
PITTSBURGH, PA – Thanks to increased production and new technologies, which have decreased the price of natural gas, consumers from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia saved more than $75 billion between 2006 and 2016, according to a combined multi-state report released today by Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), with calculations developed by Orion Strategies.
Households saved nearly $29.8 billion and commercial and industrial users saved more than $45.2 billion, according to the report titled, “Oil and Natural Gas a Boon to the Tri-State Region.” The analysis examines how the shale revolution in the Marcellus and Utica regions have helped energy consumers in the Tri-State Region increase disposable income, job growth, and economic investment, as well as revitalize communities.
CEA’s analysis also found that in 2015 the oil and gas industry’s total economic value – including employee compensation, proprietors’ income, income to capital owners from property and indirect business taxes across the Tri-State Region – totaled $90.3 billion while employing over 656,000 workers. Benefits across the Tri-State region included:
Ohio
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
“These energy savings have a very real impact on the business community,” explained Chris Heck, President, and CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce. “Our membership is made up of hundreds of businesses, associations, manufacturers, and nonprofit groups who are able to put those savings back into their organization, further fueling our local economy here in southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond.”
“Appalachian families and small businesses benefit from natural resources and the ability to transport that energy through pipeline infrastructure, all of which provides millions of dollars annually to fund the region’s schools, hospitals, roads, and communities,” said Mike Butler, CEA Mid-Atlantic’s Executive Director. “With the Tri-State region’s production levels catching up to Texas, it’s no wonder we are seeing how lower fuel prices have helped Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia consumers save more than $75 billion in the past decade.”
“Despite the tremendous benefits and critical importance of energy production to the Appalachian region, future progress is threatened by out-of-state activists – some funded by foreign governments – who continue to work to eliminate the production and transportation of safe, affordable sources of energy without offering any solutions to helping meet consumer demand while supporting our environmental goals. CEA strongly encourages elected leaders across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia to continue their support of energy solutions that allow for the responsible development of American energy resources which help keep energy affordable for everyone.”
To view the report, click here.
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About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s energy future. With more than 500,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households across the country. We believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we develop our diverse energy resources and energy’s importance to the economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.
Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org
About Orion Strategies
Orion Strategies is a strategic communications and public relations firm with a staff of experienced professionals in public relations, government affairs, grassroots advocacy, polling, research, and creative services.
Contact:
Brittany Ramos
P: 412-965-5379
bramos@orion-strategies.com
HOUSTON – October 20, 2018 – Families, students, educators, and local industry leaders gathered at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston this past Saturday for Houston’s Eighth Annual Energy Day Festival, hosted by the Consumer Energy Education Foundation (CEEF) along with its partner Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA).
The free event – which is now the largest energy-focused festival in the nation — centers on celebrating the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and their innovative impact on energy. The Energy Day Festival featured more than 66 interactive exhibits and demonstrations, from several of Houston’s leading companies – including Caterpillar, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Direct Energy, Golden Pass, Noble Energy, Phillips 66, TechnipFMC, Telemundo and TransCanada. Each exhibitor was on hand to greet, educate, and entertain what Houston Police Department estimated to be more than 25,000 people who attended despite the weather. From robots demonstrations by FIRSTRobotics and Microsoft to LEGO engineering and rocket-making, this year’s exhibitors showcased cutting-edge technology in an accessible format to students, as a way to excite the next generation about career opportunities in the energy industry.
“Houston has long been known as the ‘energy capital of the world,’ and the Energy Day Festival has quickly become a fixture in championing local and national STEM efforts related to energy, and showcases some of the fascinating career opportunities that await the next generation,” CEA President and Energy Day organizer David Holt said. “Creativity and innovation is key to maintaining energy leadership in oil, natural gas, wind, solar and energy conservation; and it’s through events such as these that encourage and inspire students to challenge themselves, expand their minds, and pursue opportunities to further their potential as future industry leaders.”
From January through October of this year, CEA and CEEF help host STEM-focused competitions in technology, computing, robotics and inventions such as SeaPerch, an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, STEM and engineering concepts, problem-solving, teamwork, and technical applications. Other competitions include the All Earth Ecobot Challenge, The Science Engineering Fair of Houston, The Houston Affiliate NCWIT Aspiration in Computing Award, The CSTEM Challenge, The Young Inventors’ Showcase, The MATE Underwater Robotics Competition, The Energy Day Art, Essay & Media Contest, and The John Kingsley Kerver Educator Award.
During the awards ceremony at Energy Day 2018, partners and sponsors awarded over $24,000 to 184 students and teachers in 11 categories.
Since the Energy Day Academic Program (EDAP) began in 2011, CEEF and CEA have awarded nearly $130,000 to more than 800 K-12 students and teachers at the Energy Day Festival.
For more on this year’s festival – including photos and videos – please click here. The next Houston-based Energy Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2019.
For more information on the festival, visit energydayfestival.org/houston.
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About Consumer Energy Education Foundation
Consumer Energy Education Foundation (CEEF) is a non-profit organization focused on developing educational support materials, activities, resources, and information about career opportunities in STEM and energy fields for educational organizations, various programs, and events nationally. CEEF works to support and engage in activities and programs that motivate, inspire and improve students understanding of the various career opportunities that are available to them if they follow a path to energy and STEM fields.
Contact:
Colleen McCauley
P: 713-377-3332
cmccauley@ceef.org
About Consumer Energy Alliance
Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) brings together families, farmers, small businesses, distributors, producers and manufacturers to support America’s energy future. With more than 550,000 members nationwide, our mission is to help ensure stable prices and energy security for households across the country. We believe energy development is something that touches everyone in our nation, and thus it is necessary for all of us to actively engage in the conversation about how we develop our diverse energy resources and energy’s importance to the economy. Learn more at ConsumerEnergyAlliance.org.
Contact:
Emily Haggstrom
P: 720-582-0242
ehaggstrom@consumerenergyalliance.org
Consumer Energy Alliance recently joined the New Mexicans for Energy Prosperity to highlight the importance of energy development to New Mexico’s economy and how we can continue to prosper from investments across the state.
New Mexicans for Economic Prosperity launched this week in response to the $1.2 billion to $2 billion surplus in revenue the state is anticipating following a surge in oil and gas production in the Permian Basin, according to Kyler Nerison, the nonprofit coalition’s executive director.
Read more – Farmington Daily Times
Developing good energy-saving habits is essential for many reasons. Not only will it help to lower your utility bills, but it is also vital for the continued health of our planet and people all across the world. Even if improving your home’s overall energy efficiency provides the biggest energy-saving results, the fact is, no amount of high-tech energy-saving appliances and other gadgets will ever do anything to overcome your own bad habits. In this sense, it is vital that everyone begins to teach their children about responsible energy use and the importance of energy savings from a young age.
The Worldwide Leader in Wasted Energy
It’s an unfortunate fact, but the United States is far and away the world’s leading country when it comes to wasted energy. Statistics from the Commission on National Energy Efficiency Policy show that an estimated 57 percent of the energy generated in the country is lost due to waste. Of course, much of this has to do with inefficient energy transmission. Transportation is also responsible for a large percentage of the total waste, and the statistics are much the same when it comes to the related emissions each produces. In fact, 2016 was the first year than transportation emissions exceeded those of energy generation.
Nonetheless, residential homes still contribute more than their fair share, and this is true in virtually everywhere in the world like it is in the United States. For this reason, it is essential that everyone—including children—does their part to limit energy waste.
Biggest Sources of Household Energy Use
The total amount of energy used by the average home, and the different ways it is used, have both changed drastically over the past few decades. As the average home has continued to increase in size and use more electronic goods, overall residential energy consumption has significantly increased. In addition, more homes than ever before have dishwashers, air conditioners and various other appliances that use more energy, but there are also smaller everyday items that add up over time, like ceiling fans, humidifiers, microwaves and pumps for pools and hot tubs – though they consume much less than other uses.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that while homes have gotten more efficient and we’re using less to heat and cool our homes. Of course, cooling and heating numbers depend largely on the type of climate you live in and could potentially be reversed in places that experience extremely hot or cold weather most of the year.
However, we’re also using more energy for lighting, electronics and other appliances. The electricity it takes to power your home’s gadgets accounts for a large portion of the total consumption – 54% in fact. Depending on how often you use your appliances, your energy usage can quickly skyrocket depending on your habits, the total number, and type of appliances, and electronics you have plugged in.
Simple Ways to Help Your Family Cut Back on Wasted Energy
Although most children aren’t allowed to change the thermostat settings, this doesn’t mean that they can’t still contribute to energy waste. In this case, heat loss and/or heat gain are the biggest culprits, which means teaching your kids the importance of closing the door every time they go in and out of the house—even if only for a few seconds. Similarly, you should try to teach them to always keep their windows closed whenever the furnace or air conditioner is on. Your own habits also make a huge difference, which means adjusting your clothing to your home’s temperature instead of simply putting the heater or air conditioner on full blast whenever you’re too cold or too hot.
When it comes to wasted electricity, there are a huge number of small changes that can add up, and it can make a big difference. Obviously, turning the lights off every time you leave the room is important, but you should also consider other less obvious changes like unplugging your electronics and chargers when not in use and never leaving your laptop or phone plugged in if it doesn’t need to be.
Ultimately, there are many different things you and your children should get into the habit of doing. Not leaving the water running when you brush your teeth, taking cooler, shorter showers and waiting until you have a full load to do laundry or run the dishwasher all help in contributing to better energy efficiency in your home. It is important to help your kids start to make good energy saving habits early while they live under your roof so you can experience the savings that energy efficiency and conservation can bring – plus, it also helps the planet.
As new pipeline construction begins across the region, bringing more jobs with better wages, small businesses are seeing increases in sales.
Thousands of pipeline workers are in West Virginia. Employees at businesses in the area said these workers are pumping a lot of money into the economy. Beckley Buick GMC Auto Mall is one of the businesses benefiting from the pipeline workers.
Brian Bailes is the Corporate General Manager for Beckley Buick GMC. He said they are seeing an increase in truck sales and service work from these workers.
Read more – WVNS
