ICYMI: API’S Mike Sommers Talks U.S. Energy Leadership with Albuquerque NBC-Affiliate

API President and CEO Mike Sommers discussed the many benefits of America’s domestic energy revolution during a weekend interview with Albuquerque, New Mexico-based KOB-TV.

Please see below for key excerpts of the interview and above for a video of the full interview.

API President and CEO Mike Sommers: “No country, no country has done as much to improve in reducing emissions than the United States.” [03:28] SOMMERS: “Well look, we’re for making sure the environment is preserved as well and if you think about the record of this industry really in the course of the last ten years – emissions continue to go down in this country. In fact, we’re at generational lows in terms of the emissions footprint in this industry and in this country. No country, no country has done as much to improve – in reducing emissions than the United States. Why is that? It’s because of this industry. Because of inexpensive natural gas and oil, we’ve been able to replace coal as the primary stock for power generation. That has led to fewer emissions in this country and we are unsurpassed anywhere in the world.”

Sommers: Despite geopolitical headwinds, global oil “prices have remained relatively stable” thanks to American natural gas and oil production. [11:07] SOMMERS: “Oh, absolutely. You think about the fact that we had the Saudi drone strike recently, there wasn’t a huge spike in oil prices. You had Venezuela go offline, you’ve had Iran go offline as major producers, but prices have remained relatively stable. That never would have happened ten years ago were it not for American production. How exciting is that that we’re no longer held hostage by these regimes for our energy. That’s a game-changer from an American perspective.”

Sommers: America’s natural gas and oil industry is “keeping costs low for the American consumer and we’re doing it in an environmentally safe way.” [01:12] SOMMERS: “Ya, it’s really an incredible thing. You have a group of dedicated New Mexican workers down in the Permian Basin producing the resource that Americans need and it’s truly incredible to see the infrastructure development that’s going on down there and it’s an incredible thing for the American people as well. We’re keeping costs low for the American consumer and we’re doing it in an environmentally safe way.” 

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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