Facebook Instagram Linkedin RSS Twitter Youtube

More thoughts on keeping energy jobs – and all jobs in America

In a week that saw a major, positive breakthrough in the country’s offshore drilling policy, the stories of energy jobs moving overseas just keep coming. Recently we cited the example of a New England solar panel maker that decided to move manufacturing operations to China when it realized it could not compete from the U.S. with products made in China.

And earlier this week, PBS NewsHour ran a distressing story about the major Silicon Valley company, Applied Materials, and its decision to move its solar operations to China, where it says the manufacturing incentives are better and the solar expertise far superior to what can be found in the U.S.

These stories, unfortunately, are not hard to find. These days, examples of core American businesses and jobs moving overseas just keep piling up. What do these stories have to do with offshore drilling? They underscore the challenge of keeping core American industries in America, and they show that when an industry is long neglected it may be difficult if not impossible to catch up.

In the case of Applied Materials, executives say they needed to move solar operations abroad largely because they could not find the scientific expertise here at home: A company executive tells PBS that decisions made two decades ago to drop funding for solar research means that the United States now has no experts in solar cell technology.

“Solar cells have been out of the curriculum for 20 years,” he explained. “If you are looking for an experienced person in solar you are not going to find them in the U.S. It’s a problem we’ve got to solve, or the general economy is not going to grow.”

Industry, after all, is a living breathing thing that needs to be nourished and nurtured. Financial incentives are critical, but it is also critical to engage the industry, continuously update it and keep it competitive. The longer a plant sits idle, the less likely it is to resume operations. It’s sort of like the saying, use it or lose it.

By committing to new offshore drilling projects, President Obama is not just ensuring more domestically produced oil, he is also helping keep the domestic oil industry and its workers current and competitive. And that is certain to pay dividends in the coming years.

Obama’s position on drilling is a start

The following op-ed from David Batt, Executive Director of Consumer Energy Alliance – Florida, appeared in The Tallahassee Democrat newspaper.

April 8, 2010   While I appreciate the president’s effort to develop a plan to open areas of our nation’s waters to offshore oil and natural gas exploration that addresses our domestic opportunities, I am disappointed that it will not take effect until 2012 and worry it will delay planned lease sales already scheduled to take place before 2012. Furthermore, the president’s plan cancels lease sales that have been scheduled in Alaska. This is problematic because the state holds important energy resources that could play a vital role in decreasing our nation’s reliance on foreign oil.

It is my sincere hope the administration will give further consideration to opening up other parts of our nation’s waters that contain oil and natural gas resources. CEA Florida supports reasonable, thoughtful and balanced solutions to our nation’s energy challenges. The key to meeting these challenges is to diversify our energy portfolio and tap into all the resources we have available, including oil and natural gas.

Florida must drill to find its resources

The following op-ed from Bob Morrison, an individual supporter of Consumer Energy Alliance – Florida, appeared in The Tallahassee Democrat newspaper.

April 8, 2010   Finally, President Obama announced that he is in favor of drilling for oil and natural gas off the Gulf Coast of Florida.

This came at a crucial time for our state. Just a few weeks ago, Florida reached a record high unemployment rate of 12.2 percent. The Legislature is looking at cutting school funding and state workers’ salaries, raising college tuition and abolishing retiree’s subsidies.

Exploration and development of Florida’s offshore resources would address state revenue and jobs, and decrease our dependency on foreign oil. Florida has the talent and technology to do it now and do it safely.

The legislators who oppose offshore drilling refer to an oil spill that took place 40 years ago and give no consideration to the record since then or the development of safety equipment and procedures.

NASA has many talented system engineers who live and work in Florida. The federal government uses NASA engineers to evaluate automobile safety and technology. Let’s put some of our engineers, who will soon be unemployed with the shuttle program ending, to work evaluating the safety of and development of offshore resources. If Florida’s space system engineers can put a man on the moon, they can safely develop Florida’s offshore resources, create employment and improve state revenue.

Florida’s promise to reduce energy costs, reduce unemployment, and improve our education system, but not drill, is like promising hungry people food but never tilling the fertile soil in one’s domain.

Consumer Energy Alliance Welcomes New Member Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group

HOUSTON — April 6, 2010   Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is pleased to welcome a new affiliate member, Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group, a well-known and respected engine manufacturer for the oilfield that provides premier power solutions in diesel and gas generator sets.

“CEA is committed to working with Caterpillar to support a balanced energy policy for America encompassing all energy resources, including both traditional, such as oil and natural gas, as well as alternative, such as wind, water, solar and more,” said CEA President David Holt.

Since the 1930s, Caterpillar has manufactured engines for the oilfield and is committed to developing sustainable development globally. The company advocates promoting progress without sacrificing the protection of the environment, a policy with which CEA is in full agreement.

“We are glad to align with the Consumer Energy Alliance in its mission to expand the dialogue between the energy and consuming sectors to improve overall understanding of energy security,” said Dave Noelken, General Manager of the Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group. “As a leader in the oil and gas industry, we are looking to work closely with the Alliance to educate our customers and general consumers regarding enhanced energy utilization and efficiency for the future.”

For more information on Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group, visit http://catoilandgas.cat.com/.

Offshore drilling and the problem with compromise

Nobody was expecting – nor were very many recommending – that offshore drilling be allowed indiscriminately around all of the country. CEA applauded President Obama’s bold decision last week to allow offshore drilling in parts of the country, and we continue to do so.

But as reviews of the president’s proposal pile up, there does seem to be a problem understanding why some regions were opened and others were slammed – or kept – closed. The problem with arguing, as California Senator Barbara Boxer did, that Obama kept California closed because he recognized “the beauty of our state,” is that it leads to responses like, “What about Florida,” where new offshore drilling will be allowed. It begs the question of what sort of calculations – environmental, financial or political – went into the decision.

Of course, any oil drilling policy will need to reach a compromise based on environmental, financial and political considerations. But if the resulting policy comes across as just too arbitrary, there is a risk that no one will be pleased. Drilling opponents will say that any new drilling is too much drilling, supporters will say just the opposite: that we need to be more aggressive in opening U.S. waters.

In the coming weeks, we’ll spend more time dissecting the President’s new policy. What’s clear to us now is that, if supporters of a strong domestic energy industry want to prevail in the court of public opinion, they must do more than back compromises that attempt to please everyone. They must also make the case that offshore oil drilling is fundamentally safe, and beneficial.

For that, we leave you with this Op-Ed, written by a California professor and published in The Washington Post over the weekend: Offshore drilling might make environmental sense. The author makes a couple of critical points that we’ve long argued need to be core to the debate. First, that oil tankers (think oil being transported from halfway around the world) pose a greater risk of spills than offshore oil rigs. Also, that many of the countries from which the U.S. imports its oil have weak environmental standards that do significantly more harm to the environment than a strictly regulated domestic oil industry ever would.

CEA Asks Gov. Gregoire to Consider All the Facts Associated with LCFS

CEA president: LCFS will not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but may lead to severe economic and security consequences for citizens of Washington

HOUSTON – April 6, 2010   As Washington governor Christine Gregoire continues to weigh the prospect of imposing a Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) on her state, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) president David Holt sent a letter to the governor yesterday laying out several specific facts and figures related to the potential impact of an LCFS on Washington – facts the governor should consider before taking another step forward on the initiative.

Holt’s letter is in response to the governor’s May 2009 executive order instructing her administration to assess the merits of enacting California’s LCFS or a similar proposal to help meet the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

The full text of the letter can be found online HERE.

PRO AND CON: Energy independence or slaves to Big Oil?

The following op-ed from David Batt, Executive Director of Consumer Energy Alliance – Florida, appeared in The Destin Log newspaper and may be viewed here.

April 5, 2010   Moving one step closer to energy independence. On behalf of the Consumer Energy Alliance of Florida (CEA Florida), I applaud the Obama administration’s proposal to open areas of our nation’s waters to offshore oil and natural gas exploration. Increasing our access to these important resources will not only help the United States keep energy prices stable, but will assist in achieving energy independence.

Currently, our country imports nearly 60 percent of the oil we use and sends billions of dollars to foreign countries each year.  As we face a massive budget deficit combined with high unemployment rates throughout the country, offshore exploration seems like the next logical step for our nation.

In the Eastern Gulf alone, estimates suggest there could be more than three billion barrels of oil and nearly 17 trillion cubic feet of gas.  Opening this area will certainly help the United States develop a comprehensive energy plan.

The president’s plan takes a positive step toward keeping our energy prices down while the sale of offshore leases will bring additional revenue that will surely help stimulate our economy.  I urge Congress to lift the moratorium on drilling so we can begin utilizing these leases in our waters.

While I appreciate the president’s effort to develop a plan that addresses our domestic opportunities, I am disappointed that it will not take effect until 2012 and worry it will delay planned lease sales already scheduled to take place before 2012.

Furthermore, the president’s plan cancels lease sales that have been scheduled in Alaska.  This is problematic because the state holds important energy resources that could play a vital role in decreasing our nation’s reliance on foreign oil.

It is my sincere hope the administration will continue to advocate for offshore oil and natural gas exploration, while further consideration is given to opening up other parts of our nation’s waters that contain oil and natural gas resources.

CEA Florida supports reasonable, thoughtful and balanced solutions to our nation’s energy challenges.  The key to meeting these challenges is to diversify our energy portfolio and tap into all the resources we have available, including oil and natural gas.

David Batt: Obama’s right about offshore drilling

The following op-ed from David Batt, Executive Director of Consumer Energy Alliance – Florida, appeared in The Gainesville Sun newspaper and may be viewed here.

April 5, 2010   On behalf of the Consumer Energy Alliance of Florida (CEA Florida), I applaud the Obama Administration’s proposal to open areas of our nation’s waters to offshore oil and natural gas exploration. Increasing our access to these important resources will not only help the United States keep energy prices stable, but will assist in achieving energy independence.

Currently, our country imports nearly 60 percent of the oil we use and sends billions of dollars to foreign countries each year. As we face a massive budget deficit combined with high unemployment rates throughout the country, offshore exploration seems like the next logical step for our nation.

In the Eastern Gulf alone, estimates suggest there could be more than three billion barrels of oil and nearly 17 trillion cubic feet of gas. Opening this area will certainly help the United States develop a comprehensive energy plan.

The President’s plan takes a positive step toward keeping our energy prices down while the sale of offshore leases will bring additional revenue that will surely help stimulate our economy. I urge Congress to lift the moratorium on drilling so we can begin utilizing these leases in our waters.

While I appreciate the President’s effort to develop a plan that addresses our domestic opportunities, I am disappointed that it will not take effect until 2012 and worry it will delay planned lease sales already scheduled to take place before 2012. Furthermore, the President’s plan cancels lease sales that have been scheduled in Alaska. This is problematic because the state holds important energy resources that could play a vital role in decreasing our nation’s reliance on foreign oil.

It is my sincere hope the administration will continue to advocate for offshore oil and natural gas explorations, while further consideration is given to opening up other parts of our nation’s waters that contain oil and natural gas resources. CEA Florida supports reasonable, thoughtful and balanced solutions to our nation’s energy challenges. The key to meeting these challenges is to diversify our energy portfolio and tap into all the resources we have available, including oil and natural gas.

Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group Joins CEA

Consumer Energy Alliance aims to expand dialogue to promote thoughtful utilization of energy resources.

March 26, 2010   Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group has announced its alliance with the Consumer Energy Alliance – a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that supports the thoughtful utilization of energy resources to help ensure improved domestic and global energy security and stable prices for consumers. This group, supported by more than 135 affiliated organizations and tens of thousands of grassroots supporters educates consumers regarding enhanced energy utilization and efficiency, as well as providing a voice for near-term and long-term public policy solutions.

Since the 1930s, Caterpillar has manufactured engines for the oilfield and today provides premier power solutions in diesel and gas generator sets. As a champion for sustainable development globally, Caterpillar has long been committed to technologies and organizations that promote progress without sacrificing the protection of the environment. Aligning with Consumer Energy Alliance more closely ties Caterpillar with similarly minded organizations to promote fair policies and clear communication with consumers.

According to its mission, the Consumer Energy Alliance is looking to align with organizations and corporations to expand the dialogue between the energy and consuming sectors to improve overall understanding of energy security. The Global Petroleum group currently manufactures the most comprehensive product line in the oil and gas industry, ensuring the safe and reliable creation of energy for millions around the globe. By serving the entire oil and gas industry – drilling, gas compression, production and well servicing – Caterpillar Global Petroleum is committed to not only a durable product to customers, but also working with industry leaders to ensure energy resources are available for years to come.

About Caterpillar Global Petroleum
Caterpillar Global Petroleum, with headquarters in Houston, Texas, United States, groups all the sales and service activities for Cat petroleum engines within Caterpillar Inc. Since the 1930s, Caterpillar has manufactured engines for the oilfield and today provides premier power solutions with outputs from 41.6 to 8,180 bhp in main engine and 190 to 10,475 ekW in diesel and gas generator sets. The sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide dedicated to support customers in the drilling, production, well service and gas compression segments wherever they are.
More information is available at: http://catoilandgas.cat.com/

CEA April 2010 Newsletter

Issue 37

Message from CEA President David Holt
Spring greetings from all of us here at Consumer Energy Alliance! This month as nature bursts forth in new growth, CEA is focused on spreading our message of a balanced energy policy for America to more and more people throughout the nation.

To help us achieve this effort, this month CEA asks you to forward this newsletter to five friends on your email list. If you’d prefer to share CEA with more than five – go for it! The more the merrier.

Along with our newsletter, send your friends and family a short message explaining why balanced energy for America is important to you and how CEA is making a difference. Encourage them to become subscribers, too.

As all CEA members and current newsletter subscribers realize, a robust energy policy responsibly utilizing all of the nation’s resources is vital to ensuring stable prices for consumers, maximizing energy security and developing the country’s economy. Isn’t it time to share this knowledge with those you care about?

In showing your support for CEA by forwarding this email to five contacts, you can be a part of the change. As CEA grows in membership and subscriber numbers, the potential impact that we can make to encourage an “all of the above” approach to energy policy increases greatly. Help CEA get the message out – we need it all & we need you!

If you received this email as a forward, please sign up to become a CEA member. It’s free!

Thank you for all that you do. Together, we can make balanced energy for America a reality.

David Holt
President

 

Support the Cape Wind Renewable Energy Project!
The Cape Wind Energy Project, which would install a renewable energy facility off of New England’s coastline that could meet approximately 75 percent of the electricity demand for Cape Cod and surrounding islands, is currently being considered by the federal government. The project will create hundreds of new jobs during its construction and provide electricity consumers in the area with stable energy prices for the next 20 years.

Join CEA in supporting this renewable energy project and moving forward with a balanced energy policy for America. Send in your comments today!

 

Support Solar Power in the California Desert!
The Rice Solar Energy Project would install a solar-powered electricity generation facility in a remote desert location in California. The project will create 150 megawatts of stable renewable electricity, while generating a significant number of jobs to construct the facility and to operate it.

Join CEA in supporting renewable solar energy – another step toward a balanced energy policy for America! Send in your comments today.

 

Help Defeat Efforts to Ban North American Energy and Increase Prices at the Pump!
The Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) is being sold to the American public as a way to blend transportation fuels with low-carbon alternatives so that tailpipe CO2 emissions can be reduced. But the fact is that affordable and reliable lower-carbon fuel options are not yet available. As a result, an LCFS simply will increase the cost of diesel fuel and gasoline and will place certain domestic supplies of transportation fuels off limits. Increasing the cost of transportation fuel and U.S. dependence upon foreign sources of petroleum is simply unsound energy policy.

Join our effort to defeat these measures, which would put an economic stranglehold on America and leave U.S. consumers stuck with higher prices at the pump. Send in your comments today!

 

Visit the CEA Store – Show your support!
CEA recently launched an online store complete with CEA and domestic energy development-themed merchandise. We’ve included many unique items that will appeal to every taste and budget, such as T-shirts, sweatshirts, bags, yard signs, buttons, mugs and even a doggie-sized T-shirt for your four-footed friend. Help CEA spread the word regarding the necessity of a balanced energy policy for America! Visit the CEA Store today.

CEA Welcomes New Affiliate Members
CEA is proud to announce the addition of new affiliate members who have joined our alliance: the International Window Film Association, Ports-to-Plains Trade Corridor Coalition and Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group. For a complete list of CEA’s valued affiliates, click here.

 

Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group Joins CEA
Since the 1930s, Caterpillar has manufactured engines for the oilfield and today provides premier power solutions in diesel and gas generator sets.  As a champion for sustainable development globally, Caterpillar has long been committed to technologies and organizations that promote progress without sacrificing the protection of the environment. Aligning with Consumer Energy Alliance more closely ties Caterpillar with similarly minded organizations to promote fair policies and clear communication with consumers.

According to its mission, the Consumer Energy Alliance is looking to align with organizations and corporations to expand the dialogue between the energy and consuming sectors to improve overall understanding of energy security.  The Global Petroleum group currently manufactures the most comprehensive product line in the oil and gas industry, ensuring the safe and reliable creation of energy for millions around the globe.  By serving the entire oil and gas industry – drilling, gas compression, production and well servicing – Caterpillar Global Petroleum is committed to not only a durable product to customers, but also working with industry leaders to ensure energy resources are available for years to come.

For more information on Caterpillar Global Petroleum Group, visit http://catoilandgas.cat.com/.

 

CEA Blog: A Big Step in the Right Direction
Check out CEA’s recent blog entry about President Barack Obama’s recent speech on opening large swaths of U.S. offshore areas to drilling. Join the conversation at CEA’s website. Read blog…

 

Consumer Corner: Home Landscaping to Maximize Energy
Did you know that the landscaping around your house can help you maximize energy efficiency and cut costs? In the U.S., there are four approximate climatic regions: temperate, hot-arid, hot-humid and cool. Depending on your region, there are numerous tips you can put to use to reduce your energy bills.

For instance, if you live in Alaska, you’re located in the cool region. In this region, dense windbreaks, such as tightly-planted evergreen trees, should be put in place to block winter winds. Those of you located in Florida are in the hot-humid region. In this region, homeowners should channel summer breezes to the home through planting positions.

Click here to discover landscaping tips for energy efficiency in your region.

Source: Energy Savers, U.S. Department of Energy

High-Efficiency Hydraulic Hybrid Car Could Get 170 mpg
INGOCAR is a developmental concept for a 5 passenger car with a hydraulic drive system in place of a conventional power-train. Read article…

 

Putin Urges Qatar to Coordinate Gas Trade with Russia
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said Russia and Qatar, both major producers of natural gas, should coordinate their efforts as the two nations seek to invest in each other’s projects. Read article…

 

CEA Special Coverage: ENERGY STAR Program Unveils New Efforts to Enhance Certification Process
In the effort to become more mindful energy consumers, the ENERGY STAR program has greatly aided the quest for energy efficiency. Administered by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, the public-private partnership program certifies products that are least 25 percent more energy efficient than similar products on the market. The popularity of ENERGY STAR is so widespread that over 75 percent of Americans recognize the brand. In 2009 alone, American consumers saved nearly $17 billion on their utility costs thanks in part to ENERGY STAR products.

However, the proliferation of green standards and subsequent ‘greenwashing’ has caused increased scrutiny of the ENERGY STAR ratings. In an attempt to attract energy-conscious consumers, some manufacturers have labeled their products as ENERGY STAR certified when, in fact, these products fail to save sufficient amounts of energy. After investigative reports uncovered these abuses, the EPA is now developing initiatives aimed at ensuring brand quality.

On March 25, 2010, EPA representative, Kathleen Vokes, spoke to various stakeholders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce regarding these new initiatives. ENERGY STAR’s proposed approach centers on bolstering both the qualification process for new products and the verification process for existing ENERGY STAR products. These proposals will be open for comment through April 30, 2010, and EPA projects a finalized version by the end of summer 2010.

The new qualification process focuses on ensuring products meet all efficiency standards prior to labeling. Previously, manufacturers could label products as ENERGY STAR certified while they awaited EPA approval. Manufacturers will still be required to use an EPA-accredited laboratory to test the efficiency of their products. But, lab accreditation requirements will be more stringent with the new guidelines.

The biggest change will occur in the verification process that takes place after ENERGY STAR products hit the market. Oftentimes, a change in the production process of an item can affect its energy efficiency. Therefore, ENERGY STAR is expanding its audit program to ensure all certified products continue to meet efficiency standards. The Dept. of Energy will now anonymously select products for verification based on specific criteria. The manufacturer of the product will then pay for an accredited third-party to retest the item, thus defraying the cost away from DOE. Any product that fails testing will be delisted and forced to remove the ENERGY STAR logo.

In total, the proposed changes seek to instill consumer confidence in the ENERGY STAR brand. Holding manufacturers accountable to stricter standards will ensure that we are saving energy and money. To learn more about the ENERGY STAR program, please visit www.energystar.gov.

 

Affiliate Spotlight: Air Transport Association
Submitted by John Heimlich, Vice-President and Chief Economist, Air Transport Association

The Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA) was founded in 1936 and is the nation’s oldest and largest airline trade association. The association’s fundamental purpose is to foster a business and regulatory environment that ensures safe and secure air transportation and one that enables U.S. airlines to flourish, stimulating economic growth locally, nationally and internationally. ATA works closely with its members in the technical, legal and political arenas. ATA leads industry efforts to fashion crucial aviation policy and supports measures that enhance aviation safety, security and well-being.

During its more than 70-year history, ATA has seen the airline industry grow from the small, pioneering companies of the 1930s into indispensable facilitators of the global economy. ATA and its members continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of air transportation – both passenger and cargo.

The mission of ATA is consistent with its founding principles: assisting the airline industry in continuing to provide the world’s safest system of transportation; transmitting technical expertise and operational knowledge to improve safety, service and efficiency; advocating fair airline taxation and regulation worldwide to foster a healthy, competitive industry; and developing and coordinating industry actions that are environmentally beneficial, economically reasonable and technologically feasible.

ATA goals include championing the world’s safest transportation system; protecting airline passengers, crew members, aircraft and cargo, working collaboratively with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); modernizing the U.S. air traffic management system via the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); challenging government policies that impose unwise regulatory burdens or impinge on marketplace freedoms; reducing the disproportionate share of taxes and fees paid by airlines and their customers; improving the industry’s ability to attract the capital necessary to meet future demands; and shaping international aviation policy to ensure that U.S. and foreign carriers can compete on equal terms.

ATA supports a truly comprehensive, meaningfully balanced U.S. energy policy that enhances a secure, environmentally-responsibly produced supply of energy characterized by increasingly stable costs. In particular, the exploration and development of cleaner burning fuel sources continues to be an ATA priority. Beyond the numerous, diverse, successful measures that U.S. airlines have taken and continue to explore to conserve fuel, the single biggest advance in fuel conservation and emissions reduction will come from modernization of our nation’s air traffic control system. More direct routings enabled by next-generation air traffic management solutions could improve system fuel efficiency by as much as 10 to 15 percent. Meanwhile, ATA airlines are actively pursuing the deployment of alternative aviation fuels that are safe, environmentally beneficial, operationally reliable and economically viable.

The ATA commitment to continuous improvement encourages the pursuit of commercially viable, environmentally friendly alternative fuels to enhance the security of our energy supply and, potentially, to reduce emissions typically associated with fossil fuels – including greenhouse gas emissions. ATA work has been strongly supported and facilitated cooperatively with the Consumer Energy Alliance, where ATA is an affiliate member. Together we share professional, scientific, operational and economic expertise to help positively shape our country’s energy policy, ultimately benefitting every American and every company that does business in the United States.

For more information on the Air Transport Association, visit http://www.airlines.org/.

1...323324325...338Page 324 of 338

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

© Consumer Energy Alliance