Nearly 2,000 attended forum to discuss America’s energy future
CHARLESTON, WV, June 16, 2012 - The American Petroleum Institute (API) hosted an energy rally in Charleston, West Virginia to discuss the job-creating impact of new U.S. energy production and the resulting manufacturing prospects for West Virginia, as part of its national energy conversation “
Vote 4 Energy.”
“We need more energy of all types—a true “all-of-the-above” energy strategy—to meet our nation’s projected demand,” Gerard said. “Getting on the right track for a secure energy future requires engaging the American people. With the right leadership and vision, we can turn our energy challenges into opportunities that will make our country stronger.”
The Energy Information Administration predicts the world will need 45 percent more energy in 2035. And, despite rapidly expanding renewable energy sources, government projections show the U.S. will still rely on oil and natural gas to supply more than half of its energy for decades to come.
“Now, really for the first time in our lifetime, we are an energy-rich nation that no longer lives in a world of energy scarcity,” said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. “Elected officials and candidates need to hear from voters about the energy challenges they face, and why making the right decisions on energy is so important for our future.”
The oil and natural gas industry provides more than 60,000 jobs in West Virginia, according to API. The average salary for these jobs is nearly twice the amount of the average salary in the state.
“With development of West Virginia’s vast shale energy resources, an additional 30,000 jobs can be created in the state by 2020,” said Gerard.
API represents more than 500 oil and natural gas companies, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America's energy, supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers more than $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested more than $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.