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Poll Finds Gulf State Voters Overwhelmingly Support Offshore Energy Exploration and Sensible Energy Solutions

Birds flying over the Gulf of Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An overwhelming majority of voters in Texas (62%), Louisiana (72%), Mississippi (73%) and Alabama (70%) support sensible offshore exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico, a new poll from Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) reveals.

Further, the polling found that almost two-thirds of voters – including a majority of independents and Democrats across various Gulf States – support calls for increased development of responsibly-produced U.S. oil and natural gas. And energy is an important issue to more than 82% of voters surveyed in the Gulf States.

The polling was done to examine how much support offshore exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico and other energy issues have amongst voters.

Other key findings include:

  • More than 60% of voters in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama support sensible offshore exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, 54% of Florida voters supported it
  • Across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, almost two-thirds of all voters – and large numbers of Democrats and independents – agree with calls for increased development of U.S.-produced oil and natural gas
  • More than 82% of voters – including most Democrats – in each state say energy issues are very or somewhat important in their voting decisions. Energy was a winning issue among Florida voters as well
  • More than 70% of voters across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, believe we have the technological ability to explore for and produce natural gas and oil from offshore areas in a safe and environmentally responsible way
  • Substantially more voters are likely to vote for a candidate who supports sensible energy solutions

“The success of those running for office in this election cycle will hinge on their ability to promote issues that assist in economic recovery, promote energy security for America’s families and small businesses, create jobs, and protect our environment,” CEA President David Holt said. “And supporting responsible offshore energy production in the Gulf remains the best way to achieve all of the above.”

“With the Gulf of Mexico producing about a fifth of the nation’s oil, offshore energy production remains one key to America’s ability to protect our critical conservation and environmental programs, coastal restoration and energy security, as well as helping spur COVID-19 economic recovery.”

Holt added: “Voters overwhelmingly support sensible energy solutions, such as offshore energy production. To win in November, candidates are going to have to listen and side with voters.”

CEA’s survey also tracked the political atmosphere across the Gulf States, which highlights approval ratings and support for the 2020 presidential candidates, as well as key elected officials in each state.

CEA’s Top 5 Favorite Energy Stories This Week – September 18

This week TikTok’s parent company Bytedance announced being close to wrapping up new negotiations with White House officials over US ownership of the app via Oracle. And while we are talking about innovation: An Ohio dad went viral after he concocted a “candy chute” to hand out Halloween candy from 6-feet away.

Many Americans cheered this week for the Big Ten voting to start its college football season in October and were amazed to see this woman surfing the biggest wave of the year.

Speaking of huge, a U.S. production company with a new reality TV show competition is asking Americans if they have what it takes to be the next Space Hero, while NASA is asking companies to dig up the moon for them.

These stories and more kept us on the edge of our seats this week, but here are our favorite energy headlines to help you enjoy the weekend. In case you missed last week’s, check them out here.

Plastic granulate in a plastic waste recycling plant

5Turning plastic trash into paved roads

A project in Los Angeles is testing the prospects for roads being made from recycled materials. E&E News shares how the city has been testing samples of recycled asphalt mixed with recycled plastic in parking lots and smaller streets. 

Kennedy Space Center

4New NASA and Energy Department collaboration

The Department of Energy and NASA have long cooperated on nuclear power systems, but now the agencies are meeting regularly to explore new areas of potential collaboration. Space News details how the agencies are looking to work together on a wide range of technologies, from aeronautics to photovoltaics.

Group of Friends Playing Video Games

3A Game Boy that runs on solar energy!

Scientists are experimenting with harvesting energy from the sun or converting the energy you put into pushing buttons on a game consol or computer into powering your device. Mom.com previews how the next “proof-of-concept” Game Boys with new energy innovation tools could be the future.

Anchorage Alaska

2Reestablishing the Office of Arctic Energy

This week U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette announced the reestablishment of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Arctic Energy Office (AEO) in Fairbanks, Alaska. Energy.gov stated how this new office will drive Arctic activities including: international cooperation, research on methane hydrates, and development of advanced micro grids and nuclear power systems, such as small modular reactors.

Wind turbine with workers

1The importance of a wind energy generator with no moving parts

Researchers are looking at how having a wind energy generator with no moving parts is significant because the largest portion of maintenance cost in wind turbines is associated with moving parts in the gearbox. The Good Men Project explains why having no moving parts in wind turbines in the futures, means less of an overall cost of parts and maintenance and more reliability of a system.

Activists Threaten Tens of Billions in Investment That Could Aid COVID-19 Economic Recovery

People in Line During Pandemic

CEA’s David Holt discusses the continued economic setbacks families across the country may face as a result of delays in modernizing our nation’s energy infrastructure.

Attacks on traditional (and, increasingly, renewable) energy projects remain a confounding and troubling trend in the United States, and it’s one that puts particular special interests of a few activists and their ideological, political and commercial allies above the needs of ordinary families and small businesses.

 

The intransigence of this “Dr. No” method of activism is predicated on driving up costs through litigation, and viewing every stage of the regulatory and permitting processes as an opportunity to sue and protest. It’s gotten so far out of hand that — at the urging of anti-energy groups — even certain judges are going back to federally approved projects that are already in safe operation and trying to shut them down.

Read more – Morning Consult

Study: Opposition to Pipelines Costs Jobs, Needed Infrastructure

Construction worker and backhoe

Consumer Energy Alliance’s Chris Ventura discussed the recently released report, “How Pipelines Can Spur Immediate Post-COVID Economic Recovery,” and how more than $13.6 billion in economic activity and over 66,000 jobs are at risk.

“Looking at the statistics the U.S. government publishes when looking at modes of transporting, whether it be oil or natural gas or natural gas liquids, the pipeline safety record is 99.999 percent,” Ventura said.

 

“What goes into the pipeline typically comes out the other end without incident. It’s a tremendous safety record, and when you think of how much capacity pipelines have, compared to rail cars or tanker trucks, pipelines are much more environmentally friendly.”

Read more – The Epoch Times

 

The Greatest Story Pennsylvanians Were Never Told

Pennsylvania Farm

CEA’s Mike Butler examines the environmental improvements that have been made across Pennsylvania thanks to natural gas, nuclear energy, conservation, efficiency, and an increase in carbon-free generation.

Even without being a signatory to the Paris climate accord, by 2025 we will be more than two-thirds of the way to reaching our targeted emissions reduction of 28% from 2005 levels, according to Bloomberg Philanthropies. In fact, the U.S. has pared its annual carbon dioxide-equivalent output by almost as much as the entire European Union since 2005, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Each year, that works out to a reduction of 760 million metric tons versus the 770 million for the whole E.U.

Read more – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

CEA’s Top 5 Favorite Energy Stories This Week – September 11

This week Americans commemorated the 19th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, said farewell to the clothing chain Century 21 that survived 9/11 but couldn’t outlast the coronavirus, and watched Oregonians evacuate from wildfires. Despite 2020’s continued bad news, Americans are relieved the NFL is back and “SNL” will be “Live from New York” once again soon.

Today gamers are celebrating National Video Games Day, while others are worried about a robot writing an article as millions of children began virtual school this week.

These stories and more helped to get us through this week, but here are our favorite energy headlines to help you enjoy the weekend. In case you missed last week’s, check them out here.

People in Line During Pandemic

1Opposition to pipelines costs jobs, needed infrastructure

Nearly $14 billion of investment in delayed pipeline projects in 14 states — including five “battleground” contests in the 2020 presidential election — is at risk. The Epoch Times explains how these projects could create more than 66,000 new jobs and boost the nation’s post-COVID economic recovery.

Forest Fire Smoke and Transmission Lines

2California rooftop solar blocked by wildfire smoke

When wildfires tinted the Western skies this week, homeowners with their own rooftop solar systems realized sunlight couldn’t reach them through the haze. Bloomberg reports on how earlier this week was the worst generation day ever, with many homeowners only generating enough to power a light bulb or to dry a load of laundry.

Kite in the sky

3Renewable energy kites generate power in the air

Researchers are studying how the lightness of kites can be applied to green energy production. The Good News Network breaks down how renewable energy kites or small flying wind turbines, use 10 times less material at half the cost of traditional options.

Row of solar panels on a solar farm

4Oil-field service companies are adopting clean energy tech

The largest oil-field services companies in the world are accelerating adoption of clean energy technology and renewables. The Houston Chronicle explains why this is occurring as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the industry.

5Scientists marvel at an energy storage system relying on gravity

Last week, an energy startup began construction of an energy storage system powered by gravity. Tech Xplore describes how this technology manipulates massive weights in a tall shaft to store and deploy energy as needed.

Almost $14 Billion in Ready Investment to Fuel Post-COVID Economic Recovery at Risk, Report Finds

People in Line During Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Delays, obstruction or cancellation of pipeline infrastructure projects are threatening at least $13.6 billion in economic activity, over 66,000 jobs and more than $280 million a year in state and local tax revenue at a time when America’s financial recovery from COVID-19 requires more investment and tax revenue, a new Consumer Energy Alliance report finds.

The report, “How Pipelines Can Spur Immediate Post-COVID Economic Recovery,” for the first time quantifies the potential and actual economic harm that anti-energy interest groups and allied policymakers, regulators and even judges are creating, and contrasts that with the harsh COVID-related economic realities that exist right now in states where energy infrastructure is needed – but is being impeded.

The findings of the report, which examines a representative sample of states, demonstrates how new energy infrastructure construction activity could provide relief for struggling families and small businesses, put thousands back to work at wages far above the national average, and create demand in the manufacturing and industrial sector for steel, parts, services and a host of energy and construction supply chain needs.

Despite this tremendous opportunity, there are still organized forces intent on leveraging the devastation of the pandemic to advance an extreme agenda against the infrastructure that delivers the energy that literally makes our world go around, our lives easier, and our environment better by making cleaner forms of fuel available. CEA’s report details how their efforts to champion lawsuits, procedural delays, and regulatory roadblocks to stop construction projects are hindering economic recovery and destroying – or have destroyed – billions in consumer savings through lower energy bills.

Among the findings:

  • Opposition in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania against infrastructure risks more than $3.5B in economic activity and more than 17,000 mostly union jobs and nearly $52M/Yr in tax revenues. The Northeast Supply Enhancement project alone would have saved residential customers 65% on their utility bills and prevented the annual carbon emissions equivalent of 500,000 cars from going into the atmosphere 
  • Blocking the Line 5 Tunnel Project would destroy $5.4B a year in economic activity in Southeast Michigan and Ohio 
  • Opposition to Line 3 Replacement Project in Minnesota threatens $35M/Yr in new tax revenue, $2 billion in economic activity, $162M in local construction spending and 8,600 jobs 
  • The shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline may add $1 billion/Yr to farmers’ costs as oil demand drives rail car prices up, risk higher gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices for the upper Midwest
  • Failure to move ahead with the Keystone XL expansion will destroy $3.4 billion in investment, 10,400 jobs and $55 million in local tax revenue/Yr across Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska
  • If Bayou Bridge opponents had succeeded, Louisiana would have lost $17.8 million in sales tax and over $420 million in payroll for 2,500 construction jobs would have evaporated

“With almost $14 billion of ready investment to fuel post-COVID recovery available, the campaign to impede America’s vital energy infrastructure projects is putting the desires and politics of the few against the economic needs of the many – and our nation,” CEA President David Holt said.

“We’d be foolish to push these immediate injections of private capital aside because it will slow our economic recovery at the expense of countless families and businesses who are just trying to get back on their feet again. These projects have also been proven to provide the best environmental protections because they introduce state-of-the-art technologies to reduce emissions and increase safety where none existed before.”

Holt added: “We can put people back to work now if our policymakers can find the courage to say no to politically motivated anti-energy groups, who lack a realistic plan to help get America back on its feet. It’s time to reject those who offer fact-free opposition to our energy needs in a let-them-eat-cake manner that only harms ordinary people and businesses, and erases the chance for immediate environmental gains.” 

To read the full report, click here.

For the Executive Summary, click here.

Trump Scrambles Talking Points With Offshore Drilling Ban

oil and gas

Consumer Energy Alliance’s David Holt recently spoke out against the moratorium on offshore energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and how it will impact Gulf States that allow responsible energy development and coastal protections.

“At a time when all 50 states and the federal government are struggling to regain lost revenues as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not the time to extend overly restrictive policies that limit U.S. oil, gas and wind opportunities in the Gulf,” said CEA President David Holt, whose organization advocated for a long-term compromise with Congress and the administration that would allow development.

Read more – E&E News (subscription)

Why Isn’t Balance Goal for Our Energy, Climate Policy?

Grandparent helping with homework

CEA’s Mike Butler discusses the importance of supporting a balanced energy policy which ensures low income earners and seniors living on fixed incomes have access to affordable and reliable energy to meet their needs.

In the world of energy, climate and national politics, the Green New Deal is the foundation stone for other similarly single-minded policies designed to appeal to a narrow subset of antienergy activists.

 

It sparked New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, as well as New Jersey’s latest Energy Master Plan, both of which don’t take into account real solutions that would achieve environmental progress and meet the energy needs of families and businesses who need it now.

Read more – ROI-NJ

Now’s Not the Time to Limit Gulf of Mexico Energy Opportunities

White House with Marine One Parked on Lawn

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) President David Holt released the following statement expressing disappointment with the Trump Administration’s decision to extend a moratorium on energy exploration in the Gulf of Mexico and add a new ban on exploration off the Atlantic coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

“The Gulf of Mexico continues to be a critical asset to meeting growing energy needs for US families and small businesses. At a time when all 50 states and the federal government are struggling to regain lost revenues as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not the time to extend overly restrictive policies that limit U.S. oil, gas and wind opportunities in the Gulf.”

“Now is the time to create policies strongly supported by the Gulf States that allow responsible energy development and coastal protections. The best way to accomplish these goals is through a long-term legislative compromise passed by Congress so it has the certainty of federal law, which can’t be easily overturned or altered.”

Polling conducted by CEA in August found that an overwhelming majority of voters in Texas (62%), Louisiana (72%), Mississippi (73%), Alabama (70%) and Florida (54%) expressed strong support for sensible offshore energy development. Further, 54% of Floridians supported a Congressional compromise that would provide long-term limitations on development in Florida waters that ensure Floridians could not see any offshore development, while giving Florida some revenue related to offshore energy development in the Gulf of Mexico.

“While we need thoughtful development in deep water in the Gulf, the Atlantic off the coast of Florida has never had any limitations on development. It is good to balance thoughtful environmental and sight-line protections while maintaining an open policy for development in deep water.”

“The U.S. has proven that we have the ability to develop our energy resources safely, responsibly and effectively. No other single industry impacts more lives each day than our energy industry. American energy independence must include responsible Gulf-wide leasing for oil, gas and wind, including areas that are far enough off the coast of Florida that they cannot be seen, and which also provide maximum protection for Florida’s waters and important military operations.”

“CEA looks forward to working with Congressional leaders and the Administration to once and for all to ensure that continued opportunities in the Gulf, including in critical areas along the Central and Eastern Gulf, are available, while ensuring Florida’s waters and America’s energy future are protected.”

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