Recently, I addressed the South Texas Wildcatters Association in San Antonio, Texas. My message was “America Needs America’s Energy: It is Time We Tell Our Story!”
It is Time to Tell Our Story: Forty years ago, spring of 2014 will mark the founding of The International Society of The Energy Advocates which was established in Tulsa, Ok. The Energy Advocates was founded in 1974 by a group of American oil executives in response to the 1973-74 oil embargo. Today, as then, the organization believes that it is critical for those of us in the energy industry to rise to the challenge and make a difference when it comes to energy issues.
It is Time Tell Our Story:
– According to a recent IEA report, if current trends continue, America could become completely energy self-sufficient by 2030. Much is to be credited to the shale plays which include the Bakken, the Eagle Ford, and the Marcellus.
– New research and technology has led America to have natural gas reserves of 2,200 trillion cubic feet which could provide 100 years of supply based on current consumption rates.
– Imports of oil are at a twenty year low. In 2011 the US, after 50 years, became a net exporter of finished petroleum products.
– The oil and gas industry is making a tremendous impact. Our energy industry for decades has provided energy security, provided jobs, and contributed funds for scholarships, for schools, for hospitals, and many other causes.
– According to an IHS study, the shale play alone has created over 2 million direct and indirect jobs.
– Natural gas is an energy answer that is available today. We should definitely be putting it use now. For years I have voiced my belief that natural gas reserves are critical to a strong US economy and is extremely important for America’s energy security. Natural gas is an abundant, clean fuel that has many domestic uses—-from heating our homes to serving as an alternative to gasoline. It is the bridge fuel to our country’s energy sustainability.
– Natural gas also holds promise for power generation. About 22 percent of electric-generating capacity in America is currently natural gas—fired. According to the EIA, natural gas usage rates for electricity generation grew 38 percent from 2001 to 2010.
– The energy industry has made great strides when it comes to “striving for energy efficiency and environmental preservation.”
The importance of the energy industry can be summed up by a statement by Dr. Irma Russell in the Tulsa Law Review “Without reliable energy, the world economy and world institutions would devolve to chaos”.
It is Time to Tell Our Story: the American Energy Industry is making an impact in so many ways. America Needs America’s Energy and America Needs a Strong American Energy Industry! We, in the energy sector, should take pride in our efforts towards American Energy Independence!
Together we can create the People’s Energy Plan! Go to www.peoplesenergyplan.com to join the effort. Facebook: America Needs America’s Energy with 8000 supporters plus and growing. — America Needs America’s Energy: Creating Together the People’s Energy Plan!