Document dQvQ9z6b1yBMLde3VEaGwnBDe

To: leila_getto@ios.doi.gov[leila_getto@ios.doi.gov] From: Jack Gerard, API Sent: 2017-12-13T09:26:41-05:00 Importance: Normal Subject: Oil and Natural Gas Industry Announces Environmental Partnership to Reduce Emissions Received: 2017-12-13T09:26:47-05:00 Click to view this email in a browser December 13, 2017 Dear Leila, America's natural gas and oil industry is committed to responsibly developing America's energy resources while reducing our environmental footprint and emissions from operations. Government data shows we're succeeding. But we are not resting on that success. Last week, the industry announced a landmark partnership to accelerate improvements to environmental performance in operations across the country. The Environmental Partnership is a historic initiative bringing together, at its start, 26 natural gas and oil companies of all sizes -- representing operations in every major U.S. natural gas and oil basin -- who are committed to public reporting of progress and continued learning from experts and one another about the latest innovations and practices that can further reduce their own environmental footprint. The Partnership will focus initially on reducing methane and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Emitted both by natural sources and from human activity, methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. _________________________ Volatile organic compounds, which are naturally occurring compounds that can be emitted during natural gas production, can be a precursor to ozone formation - a key component of smog. Participants in the Environmental Partnership will work to reduce these emissions through three specific environmental performance programs detailed on the Environmental Partnership website, where we'll also be publically sharing our progress. The industry has a long history of developing innovative technology and implementing operating practices that have proven to increase efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint. Today we're producing natural gas at record levels - up more than 51 percent since 1990 - yet EPA data show that natural gas system methane emissions decreased 16.3 percent during that same period. That record production of clean natural gas is connected to decreases in emissions of other greenhouse gases. Carbon emissions from power generation have plunged to nearly 30-year lows, with more than 60 percent of the decrease coming from the increased use of natural gas. Increased use of natural gas has helped reduce ozone concentrations in the air by 17 percent since 2000. Spending in the natural gas and oil industry to improve the environmental performance of its products, facilities and operations totals more than $321 billion since 1990. Between 2000 and 2014, industry invested about $90 billion in zero- or low-emissions technologies - more than twice that of the next closest industry sector and nearly as much as the federal government. The Environmental Partnership reflects our commitment to protecting health, safety and the environment in communities where we operate. Working together, America's oil and natural gas industry will expand and promote opportunities to advance environmental performance throughout our operations. Sincerely, Jack N. Gerard President & CEO API Cleaner Fuels, Cleaner Air The EPA reports that total emissions of the six criteria air pollutants in the United States have declined 73% since 1970 and air quality has improved across the nation. Cars, trucks and SUVs have played a major part in improving air quality - because the fuels they use today are cleaner than ever before, lowering emissions even as annual vehicle miles traveled has grown. Learn more about how the modem, hightech U.S, refinery sector has invested and innovated to improve the environmental performance of its products. Follow our Blog to stay up-to-date To stay up-to-date on the latest energy-related news, there is no better place to check than the Energy Tomorrow Blog. About API: API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 10.3 million U.S. jobs and nearly 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API's more than 625 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 40 million Americans. To learn more about API and the value of oil and natural gas, please visit API.org. Click to view this email in a browser If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe Jack Gerard, API 1220 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 US