Federal energy policy should reflect will of American voters and protect consumers

CLEVELAND, July 19, 2016 – As the Republican National Committee released its party platform, API President and CEO Jack Gerard called on party leaders to embrace what American voters want – energy policies that benefit consumers.

“Right now, our nation is leading the world in oil and natural gas production and in reducing carbon emissions, which are near 20 year lows,” said Gerard. “The American voter supports increased oil and natural gas production that could spur job creation, lower energy costs, and grow our nation’s economy and moving forward our nation’s energy policies should reflect the will of the American voter.”

A recent poll found that 77 percent of voters, including 94 percent (R), 73 percent (I), and 64 percent (D), strongly support increased production of oil and natural gas resources located here in the U.S. and 69 percent of voters, including 86 percent (R), 69 percent (I), and 57 percent (D), are more likely to support candidates who want to produce more of our domestic oil and natural gas resources. The same poll found that 71 percent of voters, including 83 percent (R), 67 percent (I), and 60 percent (D), oppose legislation that could potentially raise energy costs on the American consumer.

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 650 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 30 million Americans.