Thankful For: American Energy
Jessica Lutz
Posted November 21, 2018
This Thanksgiving, as we turn on our ovens to cook our turkeys and stuffing, pack up the car and head home to family and friends, and gather around the TV to watch the traditional Thanksgiving Day football games, let’s take a moment to remember that these important parts of our lives are powered by natural gas and oil.
Thanks to innovations and advanced technologies associated with energy development, the U.S. is the world’s leading producer and refiner of natural gas and oil. Our domestic energy abundance has helped boost the economy and benefit consumers while making the nation stronger and more secure in the world. And, yes, American energy makes sure we can all reliably and affordably access the fuel we need to drive to Grandma’s house this holiday.
Did you know that 46 million turkey-based Thanksgiving meals are consumed every year? Most Americans use an electric oven to cook Thanksgiving dinner, using about 644 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy – an average of 14 kWh each. That electricity is increasingly generated using natural gas.
For football fans, you probably already know that it takes energy to power your TV (after all, we’ve seen what happens when a blackout interrupts the Big Game), but natural gas and oil play a big part in your team’s success – from the double knit polyester uniforms to the high-tech plastics of modern cleats, made from petroleum-based products.
So, as you gather around the table with your family and friends, take a moment to be thankful for the natural gas and oil that make our modern lives – and modern Thanksgivings – possible.
About The Author
Jessica Lutz is a writer for the American Petroleum Institute. Jessica joined API after 10+ years leading the in-house marketing and communications for non-profits and trade associations. A Michigan native, Jessica graduated from The University of Michigan with degrees in Communications and Political Science. She resides in London, and spends most of her free time trying to keep up with her energetic Giant Schnauzer, Jackson.