API’s Gerard welcomes nomination of Rick Perry as Secretary of Energy

WASHINGTON, December 14, 2016 – API President and CEO Jack Gerard welcomed the nomination of former Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve as the Secretary of Energy and called on the nominee to make LNG exports a top priority at the Department of Energy.

“The United States is leading the world in the production and refining of oil and natural gas and in the reduction of carbon emissions, which are near 20-year lows,” said Gerard. “In order to continue our nation’s leadership on these important issues, we need to pursue policies that put certainty back into the regulatory process.

“As the former governor of Texas, Rick Perry knows the important impact that energy production has on our nation’s economy. In his new role at the Energy Department, he has the opportunity to encourage increased exports of domestically produced natural gas.

“We look forward to working with Governor Perry in his new role, the new administration and the new Congress on smart energy policies that benefit American consumers, American workers and the environment.”

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 625 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.

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