North Carolina Petroleum Council: Offshore energy executive action will bring jobs economic growth to North Carolina

RALEIGH, April 28, 2017 – North Carolina Petroleum Council Executive Director David McGowan today welcomed the Trump administration’s executive action to advance offshore domestic energy production, bringing jobs and economic growth to the state. 

"This administration’s action to prioritize responsible U.S. energy development is welcome news for consumers and businesses in North Carolina,” said McGowan. “Our state is uniquely positioned to add jobs and bring in local revenue through energy development, which can safely coexist with our current tourism and fishing industries while providing much needed diversity for our local economies.

“The Mid-Atlantic outer continental shelf off our coast is estimated to hold 2.41 billion barrels of oil and 24.63 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, which is why embracing these resources in a safe and responsible way is so important for our energy security. Doing so will also spur investment and economic activity, create jobs, provide revenue to the state and federal governments, and strengthen our national security.

“The U.S. oil and natural gas industry has a long history of safe operations, and 80 percent of American voters support increased domestic oil and natural gas production. Developing our abundant offshore energy resources in the Atlantic is a critical part of a robust, forward-looking energy policy that will secure our nation’s energy future and help meet the energy needs of the consumers and businesses of North Carolina."

The North Carolina Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.