May 27, 2010

The American Council for Affordable and Reliable Energy (ACARE) warned against President Obama’s decision to halt offshore oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, off the coasts of Virginia and Alaska will hurt America’s energy independence. The Obama Administration’s choice to cave to political pressure from the left will hurt all Americans as energy prices, particularly gases prices as the pump, increase at the beginning of driving season. The U.S. gets over one-third of our domestic oil production from the Gulf of Mexico. Moreover, oil is used in the manufacture of many everyday things that we take for granted. These jobs are also put at risk by stopping offshore exploration.

Mike Carey, President of Acare, remarked that, “Last week we had a report that the Obama Administration was systemically waging a war on coal through the permitting process at EPA. Now, President Obama has just announced that deep-water offshore drilling has been halted. During these economic difficult times, we cannot systemically dismantle our country’s energy infrastructure in the name of job-killing environmental correctness that will increase the cost of energy. We need to be expanding exploration and production of all of our domestic sources, adopting an ‘all the above’ approach to solving our energy problems.”

Further, ACARE highlighted a report last week released by Senator James Infofe (R-OK) and the Senate Committee for Environment and Public Works that detailed that the Obama Administration has held up 190 permits out of 235 permits that would produce over two billions tons of coal, support almost 18,000 jobs and 81 small businesses during this economy’s economic downturn in order to achieve their “green initiatives.”

Mr. Carey continued, “The Obama Administration’s hold on these 190 permits jeopardizes half the coal production in Appalachia. Coal production accounts for half of the electricity generation in the United States. Simple supply and demand dictate that if there is less coal, prices will rise, causing electricity prices to increase. The policies of this Administration will have a direct impact on the price of electricity for every single person across the United States when we turn on the lights or turn down the air conditioner as summer approaches, in addition to the businesses that also rely on energy production. At a time when we can least afford it, this Administration is increasing the cost of energy to every American and business. The United States has expansive energy resources, and they would all appear to be in the Administration’s crosshairs.”

ACARE is committed to providing America with the energy it needs, from coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power, renewable sources and technologies yet to be invented. ACARE supports policies that make affordable and reliable energy a reality, energy that will fuel our high standard of living, protect a clean environment and serve as bridge to the future.

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