Leading Energy Discussions Across America

Justine E. Cenzer
Posted October 9, 2023

Energy continues to be a hot topic of conversation around the country, taking up column inches in local, national and international newspapers on a daily basis. API regularly engages with these outlets to supply additional facts, analysis and context to energy debates.

Throughout this year, API leaders have written columns and letters in newspapers across the country to make sure the oil and natural gas perspective is being considered. (In case you missed them, here are highlights from our efforts last winter and spring.)

Over the summer, articles covering carbon capture, natural gas, “peak oil” and other critical topics caught our eye and inspired us to add to the discussion.

Here is a selection of our responses:

 

Showcasing the Staying Power of Oil and Natural Gas

International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Fatih Birol wrote a piece for the Financial Times predicting “peak oil” demand would happen this decade. In response, API President and CEO Mike Sommers  responded by showing that IEA’s own data makes it clear oil and natural gas demand will continue to grow for the foreseeable future.

This tired narrative is out of sync with the IEA’s own facts — that show global oil consumption topping new record highs this year. This is no surprise. People all over the world need access to reliable, affordable energy and will need even more in the future. Indeed, the IEA’s Oil 2023 report, which prompted new buzz about peak oil, actually projects significant demand growth, not decline, out to 2028.

 

Advocating for Hydrogen Development in Georgia

As Georgia considered the potential for new hydrogen infrastructure across the state, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an article outlining the pros and cons. API Southeast Region Director David McGowan responded with a letter outlining the benefits of hydrogen development for the Peach State.

A recent study found that if policies are implemented to support all types of hydrogen, it could reduce GHG emissions by up to 37% through 2050, and inject billions of dollars into the economy through jobs. To see these benefits, we need to start building infrastructure now.

Defending Carbon Capture and Hydrogen in Pennsylvania

As leaders in Pennsylvania debated the merits of future carbon capture and hydrogen projects, API-PA Executive Director Stephanie Catarino Wissman wrote a letter to The Philadelphia Inquirer advocating for these innovative energy technologies.

The history of carbon capture and storage (CCS) speaks for itself. Over the last 40 years, carbon dioxide has been injected for enhancing oil production with over 99% of it still safely underground.

 

Highlighting the Potential of Natural Gas in Utah

Lynn Granger, API Midwest and Mountain Region director, wrote a letter to The Salt Lake Tribune outlining the benefits of natural gas for Utah in response to a piece highlighting concerns across power grids out west.

Natural gas can be the backbone of Utah’s power grid, supplying electricity even when the sun goes down and the wind stops blowing. Another big advantage is that, on average, fuel switching to natural gas reduces emissions by 50% in electricity generation. American natural gas is key to helping build a reliable, sustainable energy system.

 

Defending the Mountain Valley Pipeline

In response to positive progress for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), there was a lot of conversation around the project. API’s David McGowan wrote a piece for The Virginian Pilot advocating for this critical piece of energy infrastructure.

MVP, first proposed in 2014, is 94% complete, but has been stalled by legal obstacles erected by pipeline opponents. The 303-mile pipeline would bring natural gas from West Virginia to southern Virginia. This will help increase the energy security of the region, help ensure local communities have abundant American energy and replace more carbon-intensive generation.

 

Sharing Smart Energy Policies to Help with Gasoline Prices in Texas

The Dallas Morning News shared an article exploring factors that affect prices at the pump. In response, Holly Hopkins, API vice president of Upstream Policy, penned a letter discussing the need for commonsense energy policies to help put downward pressure on gasoline prices.

The administration could stop sending mixed messages about energy production. One day President Biden is asking U.S. companies for more supply. The next, his Cabinet raises fees to produce oil and natural gas. The administration should plainly support – not discourage – energy production.

 

As oil and natural gas stories continue to cover the front pages of newspapers across America, API will ensure the perspective of energy consumers and producers are heard.

American oil and natural gas are huge parts of our energy mix, and advocating for these critical resources is one of the many ways API is working to strengthen our nation’s future.