Consumer Alliance for Energy Security - press

CAES Praises Decision to Lift Ban on Offshore Energy Production

2008-09-26T21:09:00Z

ACTION IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR CONSUMERS AND THE ECONOMY

WASHINGTON, DC (September 24, 2008) – The Consumer Alliance for Energy Security (CAES) applauds the decision by congressional leadership to allow the ban on offshore energy production to expire next week. CAES greets this news with excitement and sees it as a positive development which brings America closer to a more secure energy future. This decision is a victory for the American consumers who have been forced to deal with the burdens of high energy prices. CAES is a broad based coalition representing the millions of Americans who have been adversely affected by high energy costs.

For a quarter century, Americans have been restricted from accessing their own energy resources while increasing their reliance on foreign energy sources. This unsustainable energy policy has cost jobs and raised costs for both business and consumers. Congress has finally responded to the American people and has provided a clean slate on which we can build a new and better energy policy. Opening the nation’s coastline for exploration and responsible energy production brings the promise of lower fuel costs and new American jobs.

Lifting these bans and changing our Outer Continental Shelf policy is an important step toward energy independence, but Congress has more work to do. The new Congress and the new Administration will need to develop a bipartisan comprehensive energy policy which puts the concerns of the American consumer first and takes every action to reduce the cost of energy and decrease our reliance on foreign oil. The new energy legislation should put in place a sustainable policy which balances conservation and renewable energy with an expanded domestic energy supply.

CAES looks forward to working with Congress in crafting a common sense energy policy which benefits the consumer. Removing these outdated and harmful bans is a positive step which gives CAES confidence that Congress will continue to respond to the concerns of voters and put America on the path to energy independence.

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Contact:

John Scofield (on behalf of CAES)
202-879-9358
jscofield@podesta.com

Charles Lardner (American Forest and Paper Association)
202-463-2459
Charles_lardner@afandpa.org

Poll Reveals Floridians’ Bipartisan Support for Offshore Drilling

2008-08-27T20:19:00Z

~Associated Industries of Florida asks Washington to listen to constituents; support H.R. 6709~

TALLAHASSEE – As discussion regarding domestic exploration for oil and natural gas off Florida’s coast grips the nation’s attention, new poll results today released by Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) demonstrate a significant increase in the percent of Floridians in favor of drilling off the state’s coast over the percent of those in favor this time last year. The McLaughlin & Associates poll, conducted last week, concluded 73.2 percent of Floridians favor drilling for oil off the coast of Florida – a 10 percentage-point increase over the previous year’s poll results.

Further, the results show bipartisan support of the issue with the majority of Florida Democrats (63 percent) and Republicans (84 percent) in favor. Seventy percent of Independents were also in favor of offshore drilling.

“We have been polling this issue for more than two years and the numbers speak for themselves. It doesn’t matter if you call yourself a conservative, a liberal or a moderate, the message Floridians are sending is consistently clear – we favor drilling, and the numbers just keep going up,” said Barney Bishop, president and CEO of AIF. “Washington, this is your wake-up call. Now is the time to break from traditional party lines and help alleviate our country’s dependence on foreign oil by listening to your constituents and their call for increased domestic oil exploration.”

Support for drilling off of Florida’s shores was surprisingly high in the state’s Gulf coast regions. Poll results show strong support for offshore drilling in the Ft. Myers area with an 89-percent approval rating and in the Pensacola area with an 88-percent approval rating. Additionally, more than two-thirds (68 percent) of respondents in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area and three-quarters (75 percent) of respondents in the Panama City area were in favor of increased exploration for oil off Florida’s coasts.

“Sadly, today’s announcement comes on the heals of the Florida Democratic National Convention delegation’s refusal to speak with Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu about her proposal to open new areas in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts to drilling,” said Bishop. “If the citizens of our state can look past their political ideologies and party affiliations to support measures that can lead our nation to the promised land of energy independence, then shouldn’t our elected leaders?”

Recently, AIF sent letters to members of Florida’s Congressional delegation urging them to support of The National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act (H.R. 6709). AIF believes this piece of bipartisan legislation will positively impact Florida’s business community.

If passed, H.R. 6709 permits the opening of additional areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for exploration and production of oil and natural gas, and will utilize most federal revenue from any new production to help fund several environmental and conservation initiatives. AIF is the first statewide business group to support opening up the Gulf for additional exploration and production of oil and natural gas, as well as endorsing the need for nuclear power and additional renewable sources of energy.

For more details on the poll results and key cross tabulation analysis, visit http://www.aif.com/.

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CONSUMER ALLIANCE FOR ENERGY SECURITY APPLAUDS BIPARTISAN ENERGY LEGISLATION

2008-08-01T22:38:00Z

Immediate Congressional Action Needed to Address America’s Energy Crisis; New Bill Includes Efficiency, Diversity and Expanded Access to Domestic Supply

WASHINGTON, DC (August 1, 2008) – The Consumer Alliance for Energy Security (CAES), a broad coalition representing the millions of Americans who depend on reliable and affordable energy, released the following statement today on the introduction of The National Conservation, Environment, and Energy Independence Act (HR 6709) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The proposed legislation would help move the United States toward energy affordability and security by expanding access to domestic energy resources and using the funds to support alternative/renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation, and environmental restoration. The bill would also support low-income home energy assistance.

“Today’s announcement of the House bipartisan energy package is a step in the right direction that addresses America’s energy crisis with a balanced plan. We commend the group of House members, led by Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) and Rep. John Peterson (R-PA), who have developed a forward-thinking energy policy at this critical time.

“As hard-working American families face the painful consequences of high energy costs, CAES welcomes bipartisan legislation that addresses energy demand, diversity and access to new sources of domestic supply. Families should not have to choose between driving their cars, heating and cooling their homes and putting food on the table. It has become very clear that Americans support using our own resources by expanding offshore domestic energy development.

“Consumers are demanding action and expect a change in our energy policy. With bipartisan efforts in the House, we can move toward securing our own energy future. CAES calls on the House leadership to bring the newly introduced energy package to the Floor. Enactment of legislation that encourages energy efficiency, diversity and expanded access to domestic supply can help reduce the burden of high energy costs on the American consumer. By September 30, Congress must vote on legislation including domestic energy supply – don’t come home without it.”

CAES recognizes the importance of coupling environmental stewardship with responsible energy policy. This new legislation provides that an estimated $1 trillion in revenue from these newly tapped domestic energy resources will be used to fund conservation efforts and renewable energy research.”

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Contact:
John Scofield (on behalf of CAES)
202-879-9358
jscofield@podesta.com

Charles Lardner (American Forest and Paper Association)
202-463-2459
Charles_lardner@afandpa.org

CAES Welcomes President's Lifting of OCS Energy Ban, Bipartisan Talks in Congress

2008-07-15T13:28:00Z

For Immediate Release
http://www.secureourenergy.com

As President Bush Lifts Executive Moratorium on Offshore Energy Development in the OCS, Bipartisan House and Senate Groups Explore Energy Solutions

WASHINGTON, DC (July 14, 2008) – Today President George W. Bush lifted the executive ban on offshore domestic energy development in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). More information will become available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/. Meanwhile, bipartisan groups of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are exploring new energy legislation that could include expansion of domestic energy supply from the OCS.

Following the President’s announcement, the Consumer Alliance on Energy Security (CAES) a broad coalition of groups representing millions of Americans whose livelihoods depend on reliable and affordable supplies of energy, issued the following statement:

“We welcome the President’s announcement lifting the executive ban on offshore domestic energy development in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as well as the vital, bipartisan energy discussions underway among groups of lawmakers in the House and Senate. These developments signal that America’s energy crisis has been recognized, that Americans’ broad support for offshore energy – reflected in several polls – has been heard, and that expanded offshore domestic energy development must be a meaningful part of our nation’s energy solution.

“Energy-intensive industries have experienced many negative impacts as a result of the failure of U.S. energy policy to adequately address the energy crisis:

More than three million American manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2000, largely due to the high cost of energy in the United States.
The U.S. chemistry industry has lost nearly 120,000 jobs and has gone from a $19 billion trade surplus in 1997 to an $8 billion trade deficit.
Nearly half of U.S. fertilizer capacity has been permanently lost.
America’s farm sector is being weakened by constraints on domestic natural gas development, even as global demand for food is growing every year.
For the forest products industry, energy is the third-largest manufacturing costs – up 50% in the last couple of years for pulp and paper mills. For some mills, the cost of energy has eclipsed employee compensation.
Consumers are paying more for electricity, home heating and cooling, gasoline, diesel fuel, and food. Today 10% of the nation’s homeowners – over six million households – are having difficulty paying their natural gas heating bills.

“CAES supports aggressive energy efficiency and conservation programs to immediately begin reducing energy demand and stretch the existing domestic oil and natural gas supply base; investments in alternative energy R&D to diversify energy sources; investments in energy delivery infrastructure; and increased access to new sources of domestic energy supply. We would welcome a bipartisan effort that took serious steps on both supply and demand.

“The Consumer Alliance for Energy Security played a prominent role in winning passage of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, signed in 2006. Now more than ever, America needs an energy policy that puts the nation on a path to a more affordable, secure energy future. We are committed to pursuing important energy objectives – in 2008 and beyond – on a bipartisan basis.”

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Contacts:
Jennifer Scott
American Chemistry Council
(703) 741-5813
jennifer_scott@americanchemistry.org

CAES Echoes Need For Forward-Thinking Energy Policy

2007-05-23T17:30:00Z

For Immediate Release
www.secureourenergy.com

WASHINGTON, DC (May 23, 2007) – Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a Legislative Hearing on H.R. 2337, “The Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007.” John Engler, President of the National Association of Manufacturers, testified at the hearing. Governor Engler is also a founder of the Consumers Alliance for Energy Security (CAES), a broad-based alliance of organizations representing millions of Americans whose livelihoods depend on affordable and reliable supplies of energy. CAES issued the following statement:

“CAES strongly supports Gov. Engler’s message to the House Natural Resources Committee: ‘Our nation’s energy policy should be forward-thinking, and that we should not roll back the policy advances achieved through years of diligent, informed work and policy consensus.’ Gov. Engler went on to say, ‘Energy ranks at the top of concerns of manufacturers in the United States, who see our competitive edge slipping away every time domestic resources are locked away, and every time new regulations add costs and complications.’

“Gov. Engler is right. At a time when the nation needs more natural gas, H.R. 2337 would result in less natural gas production. Consumers pay the price for conflicting federal policies that ‘legislate’ new demand for natural gas and restrict or roll back access to supply.

“U.S. energy policy needs to embrace both energy efficiency and adequate supplies of clean energy to allow economic growth and ongoing environmental improvement. The abundant natural gas in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and onshore is critical to fulfill the needs of American consumers, sustain the nation’s manufacturing and agricultural economies and jobs, and enhance energy security. Natural gas also is closely linked to many of the climate and energy policies under development in Congress.

“American consumers have learned the hard way that when Congress legislates new demand while restricting access to new supply the result is high and volatile prices, ‘demand destruction’ in the manufacturing sector and huge job losses. Given the economic damage the U.S. has suffered from high natural gas prices in recent years, it would simply be irresponsible for Congress to create additional demand for natural gas without also allowing supplies to grow. From 2000-2005 rising demand combined with policy-induced scarce supplies contributed to:

• A $425 billion increase in the nation’s natural gas costs
• The loss of more than three million manufacturing jobs
• Huge increases in farmers’ costs to produce food and fiber for our nation
• Consumers’ natural gas heating bills that have doubled from an average $465 in the winter of 2001-2002 to $946 in 2005-2006.

“CAES echoes Gov. Engler’s closing comment to the committee: ‘The NAM strongly supports a comprehensive energy policy that looks forward, retains the advances enacted with the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and embraces positive approaches toward both the demand and supply side of the energy marketplace.’”

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Contacts:
Jennifer Scott                                                               Kat Snodgrass
American Chemistry Council                                    National Association of Manufacturers
(703) 741-5813                                                           (202) 637-3000
jennifer_scott@americanchemistry.org             ksnodgrass@nam.org