Administration’s moves on fossil fuels put consumers at risk

WASHINGTON, January 15, 2016 – Recent administration policies that abandon a true all-of-the-above energy future will harm American consumers, our economy and our national security, according to the American Petroleum Institute.

“Pausing the public lands leasing program for coal, which supplies nearly 40 percent of U.S. electricity, denies reality,” said API President and CEO Jack Gerard. “We need more supplies of all types of energy if we are to sustain our economy and provide affordable energy to U.S. businesses and consumers. The administration has adopted the view of extremists with a leave-it-in-the-ground agenda, with consumers suffering the consequences.

 “The U.S. is a case study for how we can grow our economy, create jobs, and become the world leader in reducing emissions through market-driven innovation, not government programs. We can produce the energy our country needs while protecting our environment. API supports an all-of-the-above plan that encourages all energy sources to ensure we can meet the energy needs of a growing economy.

“Just as those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it, those who don’t recognize the contributions of the American energy revolution are likely to undermine it. The assumption that energy production and emissions reductions are mutually exclusive has been rendered obsolete by the facts, and policies based on this flawed idea are likely to damage the economy and harm consumers,” said Gerard.

 API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 650 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.