‘US manufacturers rely on adequate, affordable, and reliable supplies of gas’
American Chemistry Council President Cal Dooley responds on June 12 to the US Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s adoption of Byron L. Dorgan’s (D-ND) amendment to its energy bill a day earlier:
“We applaud Sen. Dorgan for introducing an amendment that lifts some of the restrictions on domestic energy exploration in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. We’re especially encouraged that the amendment would include natural gas-rich deposits south of the Florida Panhandle, close to existing infrastructure, which increases the nation’s ability to access these vital resources quickly.
“Natural gas is a key clean energy source, used for lower-emission electricity generation, renewable fuels production, cleaner transportation fuels, hydrogen for fuel cells, and as a raw material for chemistry that goes into many energy efficiency and renewable energy applications, including insulation, solar panels, wind turbines and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
“US manufacturers rely on adequate, affordable, and reliable supplies of gas to remain competitive in global markets. Gas demand has grown in recent years and is expected to continue to increase as part of US efforts to transition to a lower-emission economy.
“We encourage the Senate to support expanded domestic energy development in the Gulf of Mexico and to add an important revenue-sharing provision offered by Sen. Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.). Revenue-sharing is sound energy policy that has the effect of increasing domestic energy production for the benefit of American industries, jobs, small businesses and consumers. We urge Congress to expand revenue-sharing in energy legislation this summer and beyond.
“We also believe Congress should continue to consider domestic energy opportunities in other offshore areas in the Atlantic and Pacific, as well as accelerate oil and gas lease sales for identified reserves.”
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