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US energy and the mid terms

Hydrocarbon Engineering,


Jack Gerard, API President and CEO remarked on the 2014 Election Day mid term poll. Below are some of the highlights.

‘In the 2014 election cycle, energy was the winner. In race after race, voters from all regions of our nation and from both political parties voted for prodevelopment, true all of the above energy policies. That level of agreement during one of the most hard fought and divisive election cycles in recent memory is a direct result of the job creation, economic growth and positive environmental performance that are part of America’s 21st century energy renaissance, which is led by oil and natural gas.

‘The overwhelming support on the campaign trail is hardly a surprise when you consider the strong support among the American people for increased domestic energy production. We commissioned an election night poll of actual voters, Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, and the results provide insight into what happened last night. They also provide a lesson for candidates in 2016: Proenergy policies win.’

The poll results show

‘Looking ahead to the 2016 election the Harris poll shows that 66% are more likely to support a candidate who supports producing more oil and natural gas here in the US. That’s 55% of Democrats and 82% of Republicans.

‘90% agree that increased production of domestic oil and natural gas resources could lead to more US jobs, and 86% recognise it stimulates our economy. Ant the economy was the number one issue for voters.

‘On the RFS, 79% of voters were concerned about government requirements that would increase the amount of ethanol in gasoline since most auto manufacturers don’t warranty their vehicles against potential damages.

‘And the poll also found that 72% support building the Keystone XL pipeline, one of the most studied, debated and needlessly delayed infrastructure projects of our time. That’s 58% of Democrats who support KXL and 91% of Republicans.’

Energy issues

‘Most candidates have gotten the message on energy issues generally and Keystone XL specifically. And that’s because they have head from voters on these issues. In fact, most of the money raised and spent by industry critics and outside funders, who have a view inconsistent with the American people, went to candidates who were closer to our all of the above energy vision for our country, who recognise the leading role of oil and natural gas now and for decades. Their vision of increased consumer costs, lower standard of living, and economic degrowth were soundly rejected by voters. That’s great news for a nation where economic recovery has been lacklustre.

‘If the new Congress is serious about living up to their energy campaign promises, which we expect they are, they should waste no time advancing a proenergy, progrowth agenda. That includes approving the Keystone XL pipeline, expanding access to domestic oil and natural gas resources, and reforming the RFS. It also means reining in duplicative and unnecessary regulations that voters rejected because they threaten our energy renaissance and harm our economy.

‘President Obama’s non-decision on Keystone actually is a decision, a decision to deny a shovel ready project that would create more than 42 000 jobs and put over US$ 2 billion in workers’ pockets during the two year construction phase. With Keystone we’re 10 year and a few smart policy choices away from the ability to supply 100% of our liquid fuel needs from stable sources right here in North America.’

Energy access

‘Another key part of achieving that energy security milestone is greater access. The fact is production is down in areas where the government has control. Production is down 6% on federal lands for crude oil and 28% for natural gas, and off limits entirely for 87% of federal offshore acreage. In contrast, on private and state lands, oil production is up 61% and natural gas production is up 33%. To be clear, this discrepancy is due to political science, not geologic science.’

‘We need elected leaders who understand what’s at stake and who are willing to set aside outdated assumptions and partisan talking points to work together on safe, responsible and fact based energy policy. In that regard, we hope that President Obama will take this opportunity to work with the new Congress on smart energy policies that grow our nation’s still shaky economy, create well paying jobs and maintain our nation’s global energy leadership.’


Edited from press briefing by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/07112014/us-energy-and-mid-terms-speech/

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