Across the Nation, API Tells a Story of U.S. Energy Leadership

Justine E. Cenzer
Posted July 7, 2023

Energy and climate debates continue to take up a lot of front-page real estate in America’s newspapers and similar media outlets. Accordingly, as we’ve noted prior, API regularly engages with reporters and editors across the country to advocate for American natural gas and oil as well as U.S. energy leadership.

Often, this involves correcting the record or offering fresh analysis to help supply a more complete narrative.

One recent example: An opinion column in the Daily Press on Virginia’s peninsula called for more hope and optimism in how governments and industries work together to tackle climate change.

This prompted a response from Megan Bloomgren, API senior vice president of Communications, laying out the reasons API and its member companies are already optimistic about U.S. producers providing abundant, homegrown energy and doing so in ways that are safer and ever-cleaner. Bloomgren wrote:

“Our industry is working on these solutions as outlined in our recent Climate Action Framework. This problem requires a combination of policies, innovation, industry initiatives and a partnership of government and businesses to accelerate progress. Meeting the need for energy reliably and affordably while shaping a lower carbon future is the opportunity of our time. Working together across governments, industries and state lines, we must seize it.”

Building off that message, API proactively addressed other articles published across America over the past quarter to add clarity to complex energy and climate conversations.

Here is a look across the media landscape:

Highlighting Natural Gas in Iowa

Energy security is a perennial concern, especially given federal policies that restrict or obstruct access to oil and natural gas. The Des Moines Register published a piece about potential summer blackouts in Iowa, and in response Dustin Meyer, API senior vice president of Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs, wrote a letter advocating the benefits of natural gas for the Hawkeye State:

“Natural gas is both a reliable source of energy and a key part of our nation’s commitment to reducing emissions. For example, between 2005 and 2021, nearly 60% of power-related CO2 emissions reductions came from fuel switching to natural gas… As Iowa charts its energy future, policymakers need to recognize American natural gas as a big part of their plans.”

Calling for Permitting Reform in Pennsylvania

In support of an op-ed in the Reading Eagle by business and labor leaders advocating federal permitting reform, API Pennsylvania Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman wrote a letter outlining potential reform benefits:

“A recent study found at least 10 major energy infrastructure projects, worth more than $34 billion in private spending, were canceled or risked cancellation due to protracted and uncertain permitting processes. In Appalachia alone, these pipeline projects could deliver 4.6 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas for families and businesses; support thousands of well-paying jobs; and inject $19 billion in private spending into local and regional economies.”

Supporting an All-of-the-Above Energy Plan in Oklahoma

A state regulator wrote an opinion piece for The Oklahoman in May on the benefits of supporting all kinds of energy development in the Sooner State. API blogger Mark Green, who lives in Norman, responded with a letter highlighting exactly how oil and natural gas production aids the state, helped by bipartisan energy policies:

“The more than 100,000 Oklahomans directly employed by the industry — plus those who worked for the industry’s supply chain and others whose jobs were supported by people in the first two groups — accounted for 15.3% of state employment, the largest share across all 50 states. This mirrors the role natural gas and oil play nationally — supporting almost 11 million jobs and contributing nearly $2 trillion to the U.S. economy. In Oklahoma, the economic impact of natural gas and oil totaled $57 billion in 2021.”

Outlining Potential Benefits of the Mountain Valley Pipeline to North Carolina

After the debt-limit deal was passed earlier this year in Washington, including a provision to expedite completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), there were many articles about the future of the natural gas project. The News and Observer in Raleigh published one discussing the potential impacts for North Carolina. API Southeast Region Director David McGowan wrote a letter that featured the benefits of MVP for the Tar Heel State and the Mid-Atlantic region more broadly:

“North Carolina is growing at a rapid pace and needs to increase its energy supply to support future economic development. MVP Southgate will help ensure the Tar Heel state has a diverse and reliable energy mix for generations to come… Government and business leaders need to work together to get MVP over the finish line and secure our state’s energy future.”

Stay tuned for more from API and our member companies as American energy development is debated in the halls of Congress, in many state capitals and on page A1 of your local newspaper. We look forward to further engagement with all media in support of strengthening American energy leadership.