API's Gerard outlines the state of American energy in annual address, releases 2016 report

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Jan 05, 2016, 01:23 ET

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- API President and CEO Jack Gerard delivered the keynote address at API's Sixth Annual State of American Energy event on Tuesday, releasing the State of American Energy 2016 report and highlighting the energy issues that will shape America's economic and political news this year.

"The United States begins this new year leading the world in energy production, economic growth, and lowering our greenhouse gas emissions – a trifecta unmatched by any other country today. The gains we've made and our ability to sustain them in the years to come are largely dependent on the energy policies we pursue.

"Fortunately, we know how to bring about America's brighter energy future, which means lower costs for American consumers, a cleaner environment and American energy leadership, because it is today's reality. We call it the U.S. model.

"As the president's last full year in office begins, we hope that he will take note of and help foster the U.S. model. We hope that he'll see that overregulation – nearly 100 regulations and counting on the oil and natural gas industry – hinders rather than advances what he hopes to be one of his administration's defining legacies, environmental improvement.

"While the outcome of November's elections is far from clear, it is certain that no matter who becomes the 45th president of the United States, he or she will lead a nation that is first in oil and natural gas production, first in refining ever-cleaner fuel and first in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Our goal is to keep the positive momentum of the last few years and to end the politicization of energy for petty partisan ends. We want to continue the national energy policy discussion and stay above the partisan fray, and immune from the misinformation campaign deployed by fervid critics of fossil fuels."

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.

SOURCE American Petroleum Institute