State of American Energy 2018: Powering Past Impossible
Mark Green
Posted January 9, 2018
Four big highlights from API’s State of American Energy event:
The Speech
In his remarks, API President and CEO Jack Gerard described the natural gas and oil industry as technologically advanced, innovative and forward looking – all critically important to continued delivery of the energy Americans use every day for transportation, essential consumer products, life-saving technologies and more. Our industry is up to helping Americans meet the challenges of today and tomorrow – endeavors that hinge on energy. Gerard:
“We share a common vision for our future: one that includes clean, reliable and abundant energy, economic prosperity and continued environmental progress. … [T]he natural gas, oil and refined products industry is focused on powering the future. The fact is we always have been, even if most didn’t know it. Meeting global energy demands requires constant innovation, unconventional creativity and a commitment not to be satisfied with the status quo or to accept what others consider impossible today.”
The future belongs to innovators, and industry is filled with them. Innovation is at the heart of what we do. Innovation advances safe operations, and it allows us to increasingly minimize our environmental footprint while ensuring that we safely harness America’s abundant natural gas and oil wealth. Gerard:
“This innovation-centered mindset pushes boundaries that lead to breakthroughs. It is essential to the cleaner, safer and more secure energy future we all seek. Consider what was previously thought impossible. We’ve taken the nation from energy scarcity to energy abundance. From making products abroad to a rebirth of U.S. manufacturing. From energy as a major pocketbook issue to lower gasoline, diesel, electricity and home heating costs. And today we are increasing energy development as we’re contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions – a reality many believed was implausible, if not impossible. Industry innovation and technological breakthroughs are why the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of natural gas, oil and refined products.”
Gerard called for policies to foster additional energy infrastructure, an end to or significant reform of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and the creation of an enduring regulatory environment. Industry is redoubling efforts to make its workforce more diverse by increasing opportunity for women and minorities, he said. Natural gas and oil companies stand ready to help the nation capitalize on its abundant energy reserves on and offshore. Gerard:
“Building a better future takes energy, and natural gas and oil are central to continued progress. To do this, we favor policies that promote entrepreneurial innovation, driven by markets, to continue the positive transformation of the American energy landscape.”
The Report
API’s annual report, “Energy is Powering Past Impossible,” details many of the technologies and innovations that are making the industry more modern, precise and efficient.
The report describes the country’s environmental progress, which is occurring in large part because of increasing use of abundant domestic natural gas. It shows our industry’s contributions to the economy, everyday life and our companies’ growing role in communities where they operate.
In addition, the report spotlights seven individuals whose stories illustrate our industry’s use of advanced technologies, its environmental awareness and the economic opportunity it provides – as well as the manufactured products supported by natural gas and oil and our companies’ engagement with communities.
The Video
Check our API’s newest video, unveiled at the State of American Energy event:
As you can see, our industry isn’t complacent, it isn’t settling in. We’re cognizant of a leading role our companies and products play in all facets of modern American life – and we’re focused on helping Americans find the way forward by supplying the natural gas and oil that helps make the impossible, possible.
For all materials from State of American Energy, take a look at the event website, here.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.