WTAS: Praise For API’s New Climate Framework

The American Petroleum Institute (API) released its new Climate Action Framework earlier this afternoon, and it’s already being called by some as “the most important climate policy development since the election of President Biden” that “could be a turning point in the national climate debate.” Please see below for some of the positive statements API has received touting the importance and benefits of our new framework to a low-carbon future:

• President of North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), Sean McGarvey: “NABTU and the U.S. oil and natural gas industry have been strong allies in our shared goals of building a thriving 21st century economy, creating millions of good paying jobs, and ensuring continued access to affordable and reliable energy -- all by the most stringent safety and environmental standards to protect our planet. API's new framework for climate action is a bold and thoughtful proposal that can help guide our country's fight against climate change. NABTU is proud to partner with API and support their efforts to address one of the greatest challenges of our time.”
• General President of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA), Terry O'Sullivan: “LIUNA commends API for continuing to be a strong leader and voice for America's energy infrastructure needs and for speaking out on the importance of responsible action on climate change, including the use of carbon pricing. LIUNA supports a federal price on carbon that reinvests revenue into needed infrastructure projects that will reduce future emissions, bolster resilience in the face of extreme weather events, and improve the economic well-being of communities.”
• U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX): “The American Petroleum Institute’s new climate policy framework is an important step by the industry in working to address the risks of climate change while continuing to produce reliable, affordable American energy. Natural gas and oil are key economic drivers in Texas and the rest of the country, and industry actions that further reduce their environmental impact are helpful contributions as the U.S. works towards developing economically sensible solutions that reduce greenhouse emissions and fight climate change.”
• Louisiana Senate Majority Leader and Republican Legislative Campaign Committee (RLCC) Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt: “The American Petroleum Institute’s framework for climate policy establishes a market-driven, rather than a governmentally regulated, approach. This plan is both reasonable and achievable. The API framework embraces economically sensible solutions that reduce greenhouse emissions while protecting the energy industry jobs that remain the bedrock of Louisiana’s economy.”
• President of the Bipartisan Policy Center, Jason Grumet: “Achieving net zero carbon emissions across the entire economy demands shared commitment and leadership from the public and private sectors. Having the world’s largest, and most technologically advanced logistics companies working to deploy climate solutions on a massive scale is critical for success. API’s new support for federal legislation to accelerate the development and commercialization of clean technologies and reduce emissions could be a turning point in the national climate debate.”
• Executive Director of the Alliance for Market Solutions (AMS), Alex Flint: “This may be the most important climate policy development since the election of President Biden. Climate change has been deeply politicized for over two decades. To get any major climate policy enacted, we need factions to move, negotiate, and compromise. And the American Petroleum Institute (API) has just made a big move. Not only did the organization make it clear it wants a seat at the table, but it also wants its supporters engaged in policy negotiations. As a result, the outlook for climate policy is better today than it was yesterday.”
• ConservAmerica: “API’s announcement is an important step forward in the conversation on how to address climate change. ConservAmerica believes that market-based approaches, including a price on carbon, will result in the most efficient, least costly means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). This includes policies that are flexible, incentivize long-term planning and innovation, and that minimize economic and regulatory barriers that unnecessarily increase costs or undercut competitiveness. Fundamentally different than any environmental challenge we have faced, climate change is global in its reach and economy-wide in its breadth; the regulatory mechanisms of the past are not sufficient to address GHG emissions of today or the future. API’s statement addresses these realities and provides a pathway for an efficient, comprehensive, and durable approach to reduce emissions.”

API’s new climate framework signals our industry’s continued commitment to policies that address the risks of climate change and drive innovative solutions for a cleaner future. A full copy of API’s policy framework for climate action can be found here.

API represents all segments of America’s natural gas and oil industry, which supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. Our 600 members produce, process and distribute the majority of the nation’s energy, and participate in API Energy Excellence, which is accelerating environmental and safety progress by fostering new technologies and transparent reporting. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization and has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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