WASHINGTON, February 24, 2009 – The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement today from President Jack Gerard on President Obama’s speech:
"President Obama’s speech tonight elevates energy as a critical national priority and signals to the American people the importance of developing a comprehensive energy policy. That policy should include all forms of energy, including oil and natural gas.
America needs all the energy it can get to fuel a recovery and create jobs. While alternatives, efficiency and conservation will play an important role in the future, oil and natural gas are needed now and will be needed for decades as a bridge to fuel America’s economy.
The American people should not be deprived access to the nation’s onshore and offshore oil and natural gas resources, including those in federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf off the Atlantic, Pacific and in the Gulf of Mexico. The oil and natural gas industry is ready to safely develop those resources and create jobs, spur economic growth, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and generate new tax revenues for federal, state and local governments."