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Leading Consumer Energy and Environmental Advocate Discusses Consumer Effects at the Empire Center’s Event, “The CLCPA and New York’s Energy Future”

Albany New York Skyline

ALBANY – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, today spoke at the Empire Center’s Event, “The CLCPA and New York’s Energy Future” about the consumer effects of meeting New York’s decarbonization requirements under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and potential electrification mandates.

CEA Mid-Atlantic Executive Director Mike Butler discussed New York’s CLCPA requirements, which requires that 70% of the state’s power generation come from renewable generation by 2030. Butler also shared his concerns with the potential for increased energy costs from electrification mandates, as New York families and small businesses are already struggling with higher energy prices.

“CEA recently issued an analysis that found that a natural gas ban could cost upwards of $35,000 for a homeowner. That size financial burden would be ruinous for a family, small business or those living on fixed incomes, and any proposed government programs to cover these tremendous burdens would cost taxpayers again. Activists trying to force electrification onto consumers and communities are only obscuring the real costs, which will run into the billions to create the necessary transmission and other infrastructure,” Butler said in his remarks.

Butler added: “Efforts to ban natural gas also ignore the astonishing emissions reductions and environmental progress New York has achieved. According to state data, total emissions from electricity generation fell 42% while natural gas-fired generation increased more than 150% from 1990 to 2015. Additionally, the Department of Energy reports that New York’s energy-related carbon dioxide emissions decreased a remarkable 18% from 1990 to 2018.”

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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

Consumer Group Appreciates Funding to Help Advance Responsible Fossil Fuel Production and Conservation

Miami South Beach sunrise with lifeguard tower

Expresses Concerns About Declines in Future Funding Based on Current Policies

WASHINGTON – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading consumer energy and environmental advocate, appreciates the U.S. Department of the Interior’s disbursement of over $252 million in FY 2021 Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) revenues to Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, but expresses concerns that current Administration policies will lead to declines in future funding.
Consumer Energy Alliance Federal Affairs Advisor Michael Zehr provided the following statement:

“With high gas prices driving inflation at historic rates, American families are struggling. The $252 million in GOMESA conservation funding made possible by continued oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico provides an incredible example of how development of lower carbon intensity energy can advance critical environmental goals while providing the resources necessary to help lower our fuel prices, secure our economy, our national security, and the energy security of our allies abroad.”

Zehr continued, “CEA strongly supports continued leasing in the Gulf of Mexico, and today’s disbursement is yet another example of why new leasing and production are needed. Based on current policies, we are going to have fewer dollars in the future for energy conservation and environmental protection. It is imperative that the Administration resume oil and gas leasing immediately to ensure responsible domestic fossil fuel production continues while advancing our efforts to reduce and eliminate climate change-inducing emissions.”

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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

Natural Gas Bans Expensive, and Would Impact Electric Grid Reliability

Electric Transmission Line Repair

CEA’s recent report detailing the consumer and environmental costs of a natural gas ban in Virginia, which found an infrastructure buildout of more than $100 billion is necessary to achieve this misguided policy, was discussed in POWER Magazine.

The Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) released a report, “The Hidden Costs of a Virginia Natural Gas Ban,” which indicates that a natural gas ban could cost every household in Virginia as much as $26,000, if the ban was forced onto families.

Read more – POWER Magazine

Your Carbon Footprint When You Travel: It’s A Flying Shame

Family in Airplane

The summer travel rush is approaching, and airports will soon be overflowing with people looking to travel to see friends and family. Experts are expecting chaos following months of delayed or cancelled flights, ever-changing restrictions, and understaffing from the ticket line to the airplane cabin.

Americans alone took over 1.1 billion flights domestically and internationally in 2019. For those that flew, each of those flights contributed to an individual’s carbon footprint. (Want to get an idea of what yours is, click here.) While everyone’s carbon footprint consists of many different elements, did you know that air travel is one of the biggest carbon footprints a person can have?

In a cross-country flight from Boston Logan (BOS) Airport to Los Angeles (LAX) Airport, roughly 588 kg of CO2 are released – which is .044% of total airline emissions in 2021. The commercial aviation industry is responsible for 2-3% of emissions annually, and in 2021 alone the industry emitted 547 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Although this number is a huge decrease from prior years, emissions totals are starting to rise again along with the urge to travel post-pandemic.

Although the airline industry is incorporating new strategies to decrease carbon emissions through Sustainable Aviation Fuel, which involves blending things like jet fuel and ethanol or possibly using more jet fuel produced through the process known as Enhanced Oil Recovery. Airlines are also strategizing their overall climate goals, but there are ways you can reduce your carbon footprint on your own. This holiday season; plan to fly with N.O.E.L. in mind.

N – Newest Aircraft

Choosing an airline that uses newer, more energy efficient planes is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Frontier made the most efficient use of jet fuel in 2018 – however, none of the US domestic airlines are fully ‘green’.

O – One Way

About 23% of fuel per flight is used during takeoff and landing – nearly a quarter of an airplane’s tank! So, nonstop flights save more fuel per flight.

E – Economy

Flying first class emits four times more carbon emissions then economy seating. This is due to higher class seating having larger seating arrangements that account for a larger percentage of the plane’s pollution per passenger.

L – Light Luggage

Traveling light is a plus for you and the environment. A lighter load on a plane results in a significant reduction in fuel usage to takeoff and stay airborne over the length of the flight.

For many, travel is a way to see the world. For others, it is a means of transportation for work. Whatever your reason for flying might be, it’s important to keep in mind how it contributes to your overall carbon footprint and what you can do to save. Plus, it helps us all be more realistic about our individual contributions to climate change.

 

Gulf of Mexico Carbon Capture Offers One of the Fastest Routes to Net-Zero Ambitions

Early morning sun breaks light over the sand dunes

Consumer Energy and Environmental Advocate Encourages Efforts to Ensure CCS Industry’s Growth

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, released the following statement as the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing titled “The Opportunities and Risks of Offshore Carbon Storage in the Gulf of Mexico.”

“Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology is ready and able to help meet our shared environmental goals. Companies across the nation are now capable of providing innovative, rapid approaches to get closer to our net-zero goals without upending our existing energy systems.  This is no longer a vaporware solution that’s not ready to go. It is here now and will help us utilize all our available energy resources – including oil and natural gas – while we push toward net zero,” CEA Chief Operating Officer Andrew Browning said. “More importantly for consumers, the days of talking about policies to intentionally drive up energy prices are now over. We are encouraged to see a bipartisan approach to examining applications for CCS in the Gulf of Mexico, one of our most important national oil and gas assets.”

“Robust Gulf CCS will lower emissions from what is already the least carbon-intensive offshore basin in the world, and increase the opportunities to securely store industrial carbon emissions from across the country. This is a fast route to bolster America’s world-leading environmental stewardship if we take advantage of our natural geologic assets in the Gulf and the existing energy infrastructure network.”

“Carbon capture and storage brings together smart elements of recycling, American technological innovation and environmental ingenuity. We encourage Congress to quickly make sound, bipartisan decisions that spur the CCS industry forward.  The industry is ready, and only needs a regulatory framework to get moving.”

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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

Leading Consumer Energy & Environmental Advocate Urges House Appropriations to Allocate Funding to Federal Offshore Leasing in FY 2023 Budget

Offshore oil platform in ocean

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, released the following statement as the House Appropriations Committee met today to discuss the Department of Interior’s budget for fiscal year 2023:

“We urge the House Appropriations Committee to allocate adequate funding to America’s federal offshore leasing program,” CEA Federal Affairs Advisor Michael Zehr said. “Americans are struggling to pay for a tank of gas, inflation is at 40-year highs and the Administration sent prices up by more than a dollar before the war in Ukraine by hampering U.S. production. It is all but negligent, and likely counter to Congressional intent, to eliminate funding for our offshore leasing program in the Gulf of Mexico.”

“Besides countering rising fuel prices and employing tens of thousands of Americans, U.S. energy is produced under some of the most rigorous environmental standards in the world. That point of environmental pride is not shared by most of the countries the Administration has begged for oil to meet U.S. energy demand. The Gulf of Mexico is the least carbon-intensive offshore source in the world. We should use it to help lower global emissions, achieve our shared environmental goals, and produce the energy America’s citizens – and our European allies reliant on Russia – desperately need.”

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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

 

Leading Energy and Environmental Advocate Commends Bipartisan OCS Governors Coalition for Urging President Biden to Resume Leasing on Federal Waters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, today applauded the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Governors Coalition for sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging that he quickly resume oil and gas leasing on federal waters. The bipartisan letter signed by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (Chair), Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (Vice Chair), Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott expressed concern with the Administration continuing to delay offshore permitting and development, and the statutorily required formulation of the next 5 Year Plan for offshore leasing and development.

In response to the letter, CEA President David Holt said:

“We applaud the Coalition’s leadership highlighting the need for robust American energy production, especially in light of record inflation, eight straight weeks with gasoline over $4 per gallon (a record), and ongoing geo-political uncertainty caused by the Russian war against Ukraine. CEA wholeheartedly agrees that immediate price stability and regulatory certainty in the leasing and production process would help Americans by showing that we are serious about taking real action toward meeting our energy needs.”

“CEA thanks this bipartisan group of governors who have joined the increasingly loud chorus of voices who support policies to increase domestic production and keep energy affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible for all American families and small businesses. During this critical time for our nation, we encourage lawmakers across the U.S. to join our calls to expedite domestic production, and fast-track permitting to help American consumers who are really suffering from the pain at the pump.”

“Supporting all American energy production is the only way to ensure affordable and reliable energy for everyone. And the fastest way to do that is to end the regulatory burdens placed by the Administration on U.S. energy development. We encourage those who have not already done so to urge the Administration to act to lower energy prices, bolster our economy, better our environment and end our energy dependence on unstable nations.”

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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

Drill Less, Pay More: White House Resumes Oil Leases With a Catch

Man Working at Home

As energy prices continue to rise, CEA’s David Holt discusses the failures of soundbite energy policy and the consequences American’s face as a result.

Listen here – AM 740 KTRH

Ohio Moves a Step Closer to Meeting Community and Business Needs Around Climate Change, says Energy Advocate

Columbus Ohio Downtown River

Buckeye State Poised to be a Leader in Carbon Mitigation

COLUMBUS, OH — Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, applauds Governor Mike DeWine for signing House Bill 175 into law, which continues Ohio’s leadership in carbon mitigation and environmental stewardship as well as energy production. This new law will allow the state to apply for state control from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to sequester carbon dioxide safely.

CEA’s Midwest Executive Director Chris Ventura issued the following statement:

“Today marks a milestone for the State of Ohio and the nation as we continue efforts to address our environmental goals and advance our state’s vital industries. State Representative Brett Hillyer’s leadership and the bipartisan support received for House Bill 175, is an important step in ensuring Ohio remains engaged with manufacturers and energy producers as our region continues to develop plans that meet the challenges of producing the essential items families rely on every day in more environmentally sustainable ways.”

“Encouraging the deployment of carbon capture utilization and storage technologies (CCUS) remains one of our nation’s leading mitigation strategies for combating climate change within local communities. It also brings us another step closer to net-zero and advances the strategies needed for a cleaner economy.”

“With new innovation and technology, CCUS research and development is now a reality.  It is good to see that this is a priority for Ohio. Through CCUS, our industries will reduce emissions; sustain jobs and help the surrounding economically disadvantaged communities.”

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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

Energy Department Action Serves as Positive Step Forward to Ensure Nuclear’s Critical Role in Energy Transition

Nuclear power plant

Washington — Today, Consumer Energy Alliance, the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, applauded the U.S. Department of Energy for announcing a $6 billion effort to help financially distressed owners or operators of nuclear power reactors. Michael Zehr, CEA’s federal policy advisor, released the following statement in response:

 

“Today’s action is a positive step forward to support American investment in nuclear energy as a reliable low carbon power source. By committing to support DOE’s civil nuclear credit program to assist financially distressed owners or operators of nuclear power reactors, the Administration is helping to highlight market interest in nuclear investment and supporting innovative technologies that will help to ensure our baseload power needs will continue to be met, all while supporting our transition to a lower emissions energy future.”

“As the U.S. continues to deliver the largest emissions reductions in the world year after year, we are encouraged by today’s actions as nuclear remains a vital bedrock of consistent, reliable, stable energy that continues to protect Americans against electricity price fluctuations and our largest source of emissions-free power. We look forward to working with DOE and our policymakers to ensure a diverse and abundant energy mix is available to keep energy affordable for all American consumers.”

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