We are at the beginning of a protracted battle over the long-term energy security of this nation.
Some leading decision-makers in the nation’s capitol are determined to constrain the development of domestic oil and natural gas by imposing a tax and fee scheme that will threaten not only domestic supplies but existing and new jobs while increasing our dependence on foreign oil. Additionally widespread misconceptions about the role of oil and gas in our nation's energy policy, threaten to set back the growth and development of a diversified, stable American energy portfolio.
Make no mistake about this, with worldwide energy consumption expected to grow by 50 percent over the next 20 years, we need all the affordable energy that we can develop, including oil and natural gas. Get involved and find out what you can do to help secure America's energy future.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Tell Congress to oppose proposals that will impose $400 billion in tax increases and support a balanced energy policy that encourages increased oil and natural gas development.
Send a Letter Today!
Energy Taxes: What does it mean to your state?
What happens in the oil and natural gas industry reverberates throughout the economy. That’s because the industry is connected to a wide variety of industries that use oil and natural gas products either directly or indirectly. New taxes could hurt workers and industries throughout the economy. The oil and natural gas industry is working to minimize the downsizing, cancellation of projects and reduction in its workforce that may be required by the plunge in crude oil and natural gas prices. More taxes would hamper those efforts and could result in the loss of thousands of industry related jobs annually. The primary industries and number of firms and employees most at risk in the United States are within this map.
For more information on this critical tax issue, click here.
Tell MMS and Congress to expand our nation’s access to the resource-rich Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Send a letter today.
IMPORTANT ENERGY NEWS
Last week, nearly 12,000 Partnership members took action to oppose the Waxman-Markey bill in the House. Unfortunately, the bill passed by a close vote of 219-212. Passage of the Waxman-Markey bill is a disappointment, but we’ll have another chance to prevent this damaging legislation from becoming law. At the end of July, the Senate will begin crafting their version of the energy bill. When the time comes, we will need the voices of the Partnership to let your Senators know these policies are not good for America.
To learn more about how the Waxman-Markey legislation will affect energy consumers and producers in your state, click here.
In a recent letter to Congress, API president and CEO Jack Gerard stresses that, if we are to get America back on the road to economic recovery, it is vital that we meet the energy needs of U.S. consumers today and in the future.
The Gallup organization released a new poll recently showing that for the first time, a majority of Americans believe economic growth should be given the priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent.
The Heritage Foundation published a paper recently, “Obama’s Energy Budget: More Taxes, Higher Prices," by Ben Lieberman and Nicolas Loris, analyzing the proposed Obama budget’s effect on energy prices. Their conclusion: “Despite President Obama's rhetoric about advancing the interests of America's middle class, his policies will cost Americans more money, limit their access to America's energy resources, and provide little, if any, environmental benefit.”
Most American voters support increasing access to domestic offshore oil and natural gas resources and would oppose any new laws or regulations that blocked development of those national resources, according to a poll released February 23, 2009. The poll, conducted by Harris Interactive and commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute, found that 61 percent of Americans who voted in the 2008 presidential election support access to offshore oil and natural gas resources. Click here to learn more.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar stalls offshore development by extending the Outer Continental Shelf Five-Year Plan comment period by 180 days. Read the Secretary’s statement here, and API President Jack Gerard’s response here.
According to a recent study commissioned by the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. has substantial untapped oil and natural gas reserves. These resources could be accessed—and help our nation’s economy—if Congress allows new exploration. Titled “Strengthening Our Economy: The Untapped U.S. Oil and Gas Resources,” the ICF study estimates that the oil and natural gas resources on federal lands could exceed $4 trillion. Click here to learn more.
The Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service had distributed a record $23.4 billion to state, American Indian, and federal accounts from onshore and offshore energy production during Fiscal Year 2008! Click here to read more.
Thanks in part to the efforts of many Partnership members, Congress has lifted the antiquated ban on offshore drilling! Click here to read more about the next steps in our efforts to increase domestic drilling.