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Consumer Group Applauds Kentucky Resolution Supporting American Energy Production & Pipeline Infrastructure

Family Preparing Food on Natural Gas Stove

Louisville, Kentucky – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, thanked Kentucky House Natural Resources and Energy Chairman Jim Gooch for introducing HR 142 a resolution urging the Biden Administration to open onshore and offshore federal oil and gas lease sales, support critical energy infrastructure projects like pipelines and reduce federal regulatory burdens on energy producers.

“CEA applauds Chairman Gooch for working to protect hard-working families, seniors and small businesses who are struggling to afford the increasingly high costs for energy in Kentucky and nationwide,” CEA Vice President of State Affairs Brydon Ross said. “Increasing domestic energy production and building out the critical pipeline infrastructure needed to deliver it is the only way to lower energy prices and end our energy dependence on nations with human rights violations.”

“America’s oil and natural gas industry can fill the supply gap and provide American consumers with the energy they need to fill up their gas tanks, heat and cool their homes and run their businesses without breaking the bank; and do so with a lower carbon footprint than any nation the Biden Administration has approached for their dirtier oil. That can only happen if the Administration removes the stringent drilling and economic restrictions, permitting delays and unnecessary regulatory hurdles that have been placed on offshore and onshore oil and gas production.”

“We thank Chairman Gooch for his leadership in introducing this common-sense resolution in support of American energy and America’s energy producers. CEA encourages Kentucky’s legislators to join the chorus of voices calling on the Biden Administration to change course and provide long-term relief to energy consumers.”

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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

Ethical Lapse by The Pipeline Safety Trust Following Their Latest Report

Corn crop and Iowa farm at harvest time

COLUMBUS, OH – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement regarding the funding of The Pipeline Safety Trust’s report by anti-energy group, Bold Alliance. It is attributable to Chris Ventura, CEA Midwest Director:

“It is regrettable that an organization like the Pipeline Safety Trust, which prides itself on being credible, independent, and a servant of the public interest, would accept funding from radical anti-energy group, Bold Alliance, to prevent the transportation of CO2, one of our nation’s leading mitigation strategies for combating climate change.”

“The Pipeline Safety Trust’s failure to disclose Bold Alliance’s funding of the report in their press release and bury it in the report footnotes is misleading to the public and seems out of line with the trust’s stated intentions of promoting unbiased information to improve pipeline safety.”

“What this highlights is that the same group that led the misguided fight against Keystone XL in Nebraska and projects across the country has now extended its baseless fear-mongering to fight efforts to lower emissions and increased biofuels use. And now, as before, their efforts will only raise costs for families, farmers and small businesses – and do nothing to advance our shared environmental goals.”

“Bold Alliance’s single-minded mission, funded by out-of-state activists and dark money, has already hurt farmers. By working against pipelines being built to meet increased demand, the previous iteration of Bold Alliance ensured farmers had to pay exorbitant rail rates to ship their crops, which left many rotting in the field. Now, their fight threatens the actual market itself, harming the biofuels industry as it seeks to achieve new paths to carbon neutrality and create even cleaner fuels.”

“With the U.S. and its allies projected to have flat demand for traditional fuels, according to the Energy Information Agency, why would the Pipeline Safety Trust allow Bold Alliance to use its brand and jeopardize this chance for America and the world? The Biden Administration and Congress have already signaled carbon capture, utilization and storage is a priority, with over $10 billion in support of pilot programs, transportation and technology allocated in legislative proposals.”

“Pipelines, and more specifically CO2 pipelines, are the safest way to transport liquid fuels and natural gas in this country, and are our nation’s best chance at starting now in our quest for net-zero.”

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Inaction on Five-Year Gulf of Mexico Offshore Leasing Plan Risks Billions, and Tens of Thousands of Jobs

oil and gas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement after the American Petroleum Institute and the National Ocean Industries Association released a study highlighting the risks of not putting a five-year Gulf of Mexico planning program in place.

The study found that failure to move forward on an offshore production plan could jeopardize $5 billion in U.S. gross domestic product, $1.5 billion in government revenue and reduce the $900 million allocated to the Land and Water Fund, which supports upkeep and maintenance for parks, conservation and recreation across the country.

Additionally, the delay in getting more American oil and gas produced from the Gulf of Mexico would actually increase emissions, because the low-carbon Gulf barrels would be replaced by foreign oil that is worse for the environment. The study found that a lack of a federal five-year offshore plan would reduce Gulf production by about a fifth immediately, and would cost nearly 60,000 jobs.

“We need more offshore production as quickly as possible to improve U.S. energy security, protect families, lower prices, help curtail inflation, fight back against Putin, and put America back on a sound energy footing,” CEA President David Holt said. “We can continue to diversify our energy portfolio and lower emissions at the same time, which America has already shown it can do without risking high energy prices or increasing emissions.”

“The Biden Administration’s de facto ban on offshore energy development must end, or else consumers will continue to suffer from high energy prices not just in the present, but well into the future.”

“Record high gasoline prices, the highest inflation in 40 years and a war in Ukraine all starkly demonstrate the need for traditional energy security. Now is not the time to intentionally hobble the cleanest oil and gas in the world and weaken America and its families and small businesses,” Holt said.

The current five-year plan expires in July, and the Department of Interior is well behind on the next one, which ordinarily takes a minimum of 18 months to prepare. Once the current one expires, the U.S. will be without an active offshore energy development plan for the first time since the five-year planning process began in 1980.

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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

Carolinas Offshore Wind Auction Date Is Set to Beat Trump-era Ban

Large white windmills in the sea with a sailboat

As America’s coastal states look toward the potential of harnessing offshore wind to provide electricity, Consumer Energy Alliance called on Congress to review and open areas currently banned for the development of our domestic wind energy resources.

The National Ocean Industries Association and the Consumer Energy Alliance both called on Congress to pass legislation revoking the Trump-era ban on offshore wind leases.

Read more – Renewable Energy World

Energy Expert Blasts Biden Administration for Doing Too Little to Combat Soaring Gas Prices

Person at Gas Station

As politicians across the country continue to call for suspensions of the gas tax at the federal and state level, CEA’s David Holt looks at the long term implications of this short-sighted policy change, and how we can achieve real energy savings with bipartisan policies that encourage American energy development.

Some states have already started suspending gas taxes, and others – including Minnesota – are considering such a move to help consumers who are facing record high gas prices.

 

David Holt with the Consumer Energy Alliance doubts this will have that much of an impact, saying the move is akin to “a band-aid on the side of a ship that is leaking water and sinking.”

Read more – KNSI-AM

CEA’s Top 5 Favorite Energy Stories This Week – March 25

The White House invited executives from an array of U.S. industries and businesses, including energy, food, and banks, to discuss ongoing supply chain issues and ways to lessen the economic shocks surrounding Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. The Interior Department also announced that it is continuing oil and gas leasing on federal lands after a court reinstated its ability to calculate climate costs.

The Biden Administration was faced with tough and few appealing choices to tackle the ongoing and record high U.S. gasoline prices. Some states are looking at direct payments to help ease the pain people are feeling at the gas pump and grocery store. However, a new poll revealed a majority of Americans across every demographic (60%) believe the only way to bring down record high gasoline prices is to begin immediate domestic energy production.

The U.S. and Europe are set to discuss ongoing energy issues and ways to increase liquefied natural gas supplies to Europe at a NATO summit on Friday.

Want more of this week’s biggest news in energy? Check our top five favorite stories below.

Cows in a field

5Can dung be used in producing greener energy?

As part of India’s shift towards greener energy, a local coal mining hub will soon start using piles of cow dung to power rural industries and homes. Business Day explains how generating energy from cow dung will help India reach their goals of becoming net-zero in carbon emissions by 2070.

Hanging lights with different bulbs

4New research finds light increases performance of fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries

Researchers have shown for the first time that light can be used to increase the mobility of ions inside lithium-ion batteries to improve the performance of the devices they power. The Brighter Side explains how light can reduces the barriers encountered by ions to increase their mobility and improve overall performance.

Children going back to school on a bus

3Energy efficiency strategies help save Hawaiian public school $500,000

The Hawaii Department of Education was the third largest electricity consumer in the state due to inefficient energy design in its schools. Fast Company shares the story of how one Hawaiian middle school prioritized energy efficiency in their renovations and achieved 64% savings in energy usage, translating to $500,000 a year.

Installing Solar Panels

2New material allows solar panels to generate more power on not-so-sunny days

A new material made from fruit and vegetable waste captures the sun’s ultraviolet rays and converts them into renewable energy. The World Economic Forum describes how the material uses naturally occurring luminescent particles which capture ultraviolet rays and then emit the energy as visible light.

Large white windmills in the sea with a sailboat

1U.S. announces first offshore wind lease sale off the Carolinas

Today, the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Management announced it will hold its first offshore wind energy lease sale off the Carolinas this May. Electrek shares that the leases up for sale off the coasts of North and South Carolina could be used to generate up to 1.3 gigawatts of wind energy – enough to power nearly 500,000 homes.

First Offshore Wind Lease off Carolinas Comes Just in Time to Avoid 10-Year Moratorium

Large white windmills in the sea with a sailboat

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement after the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the first-ever lease sale for offshore wind off the coast of the Carolinas.

“We thank the Department of Interior for getting this opportunity scheduled before the window shuts on lease sales of any kind in the federal waters stretching from North Carolina to Florida,” CEA Federal Affairs Adviser Michael Zehr said. “A moratorium on offshore energy leasing in that portion of the Atlantic, put in place by the previous administration, goes into effect on July 1 unless Congress pursues new legislation to change the situation.”

“We urge Congress to authorize leasing for all forms of energy – wind, oil and gas – and develop a revenue sharing program to help all Atlantic states involved in offshore energy leasing share in the financial benefits. The BOEM-administered program established by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (2006) returns hundreds of millions of dollars of oil and gas royalties to participating Gulf states every year and offers a sound model for future energy leasing.”

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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

FERC Reversal on Natural Gas, Greenhouse Gas Policies a Victory for Reliable, Affordable American Energy

Pipeline welder

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA), the leading energy and environmental advocate for families and businesses, issued the following statement after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) suspended an ongoing process – known as Policy Statements – regarding greenhouse gas emissions related to natural gas pipeline siting and construction during today’s Open Meeting.

Initially, the proposed Policy Statements would have been applied retroactively to projects that already under consideration by the commission. Following receipt of concerned feedback, including comments from CEA, today’s move makes them “draft policy statements” and establishes a new public input process to further understand the implications they would create for markets and consumers. CEA submitted testimony to the March 3 Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, urging the Senate to correct FERC’s direction and put its policies back in line with Congressional intent.

“We want to thank FERC for their decision today. They listened to the very legitimate concerns raised about their Policy Statements and what it would do to our energy security, reliability, costs and the likely inability to build any critical energy infrastructure at all in America,” CEA President David Holt said. “With President Biden encouraging U.S. liquefied natural gas shipments to help our crisis-hit allies in Europe, inflation at the highest level in 40 years and gasoline prices at record highs, there appears to be growing recognition that now is not the time to force through a flawed, hastily conceived regulatory policy – especially one with such far reaching consequences.”

“Now we can move forward with the existing clear, consistent rules for natural gas and other energy projects, which should be the goal of any regulator. The initial Policy Statements changed the rules midstream for projects that had already followed the law and requirements of the FERC process that has been in place for decades.”

“It was surprising to everyone when they were announced that the original scope of the Policy Statements created such great uncertainty and violated basic standards of due process. FERC never had the authority to move forward as it did without authorization from Congress and more public input, and the Policy Statements likely would not have withstood challenges to their legality.”

“Consumers and our grid couldn’t afford this policy that would have essentially stopped all pipeline development. The world couldn’t afford this policy, as our allies in Europe need American natural gas now and the Policy Statements would have prevented us from moving forward swiftly in a time of national and international need for energy.”

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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

Poll Finds 60% of Americans Across Every Demographic Support Immediate Domestic Energy Production Over Increased Imports

Man holding American flag

Option Favored by Majority of Americans Including Independents Appears to Be Obvious Choice for Biden Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A majority of Americans across every demographic (60%) believe the only way to bring down record high gasoline prices is to begin immediate domestic energy production, with a mere 8% believing the U.S. should ask foreign countries to produce more, a new poll from Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) reveals.

Furthermore, the poll found that 63% overall felt the White House was not doing enough to lower gasoline prices for consumers. This includes 68% of those identifying as independents and 42% as Democrats.

“These results demonstrate that the solution to high gas prices is obvious to the majority of Americans – produce more domestic energy including unleashing oil and gas,” CEA President David Holt said. “Overwhelmingly, Americans of all political stripes and demographics support more American energy production, and they all agree that the White House is not doing enough to bring prices down.”

“The obvious solution is usually the best one, especially when it can create American jobs, help protect the global environment, and bring energy prices back down to affordable levels. We urge the White House to stop looking for irresponsible options in all the wrong places like Venezuela and Iran when the easy, obvious choice is to produce energy in America for Americans.”

Additionally, 86% of those polled said they were personally affected by high gas prices. Those respondents rated President Biden’s net job approval at -13% (40% Approve / 53% Disapprove). That is almost three times worse than the general topline of -5% (43% Approve / 48% Disapprove).

Other key findings include:

  • Inflation is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. It was identified as the #1 issue facing the country and dominated in every underlying demographic category.
  • 71% of those polled said that they had to change their habits as a result of higher gas prices.
  • A supermajority of each respective demographic stated that they’ve been personally impacted by high gasoline prices, including 93% of hourly-wage employees.
  • 52% of urban voters felt the White House was not doing enough to bring down gas prices. This opinion was echoed by 63% of suburban voters and 73% of rural voters.

The poll was conducted by smartphone, tablet, and Internet from March 19th to March 21st with 1,043 likely national voters. The margin of error is +/- 3.09% with a 95% confidence interval.

The polling data and graphics may be accessed here.

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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

Congressional Lawmakers Propose Gas Tax Holiday Amid Rising Prices

Austin Texas skyscrapers skyline aerial at sunset from helicopter

As multiple state and federal elected officials discuss the suspension of gas taxes to lower prices at the pump, CEA’s David Holt joined KTRH to discuss some the implications this will have, along with better ways to decrease gas prices and provide economic certainty for the future.

Listen here – KTRH AM 740

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