Document oD8njKba8GmqOmg3pvEOpBNyr

To: leila_getto@ios.doi.gov[leila_getto@ios.doi.gov] From: Jack Gerard, API Sent: 2018-01-04T09:27:22-05:00 Importance: Normal Subject: Energy Policy New Year's Resolutions for Washington Received: 2018-01-04T09:27:30-05:00 Click to view this email in a browser January 4, 2018 Dear Leila, In passing tax reform last month, Congress and the Trump administration set a course toward greater economic growth and increased U.S. competitiveness. Policymakers can continue on that path in 2018 by taking action to advance U.S. energy development - one of the major drivers of job growth and economic benefits for consumers. Expand Energy Access: Natural gas and oil development is essential to the U.S. economy, supporting 10.3 million jobs across a range of industries and reducing costs for homes and businesses. And there's more where that came from. Accessing the wealth of energy resources located in offshore areas could generate hundreds of thousands of jobs and lead to production gains of more than a million barrels of oil equivalent per day - further reducing dependence on overseas energy. The Trump administration's new plan for offshore development could provide a welcome opportunity to bring safe energy development to new offshore areas. Keep Competitive Electricity Markets: Natural gas is now the leading source for U.S. electricity generation, and its benefits are wide-ranging. Its reliability, affordability and environmental benefits (helping reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the power sector to near 30-year lows ) have made it a fuel of choice for power plant operators. Proposals to alter electricity markets in ways that favor some fuel sources over others could disrupt the free-market competition that has worked so well for consumers. By maintaining a level playing field in electricity markets, policymakers in Washington and at the state level can protect consumers and ensure affordable, reliable and safe electricity for homes and businesses. Capitalize on Energy Infrastructure Opportunities: Congress and the White House have pledged to make infrastructure a priority in 2018, and energy infrastructure offers exactly the job-creating, economy strengthening opportunity they're looking for. Building pipelines and other infrastructure to keep pace with growing production could support up to 1,047,000 jobs each year on average through 2035 via shovel ready projects that are not reliant on taxpayer dollars. Eighty-one percent of American voters support expanding U.S. energy infrastructure - making it an economic and political winner. Cut Red Tape: States are currently saddled with the costly burden of complying with two dueling sets of ozone standards even though ground level ozone levels have decreased 17 percent since 2000. Legislation passed by the House would help provide regulatory certainty for states and businesses of all sizes while continuing to reduce ozone precursor emissions. Getting this sensible policy across the finish line should be a priority this year. Ethanol policy is also due for a rewrite. Without reform, the outdated Renewable Fuel Standard - which adds more ethanol to the nation's fuel supply each year, without fully taking market demand into account - threatens to cause engine damage and raise consumer costs. The RFS was mandated a decade ago to reduce costs and reliance on foreign energy - two goals since achieved by the U.S. energy revolution. It's time to acknowledge current realities and repeal or significantly reform the RFS. Not only do pro-energy policies make good economic sense, they receive bipartisan support. Eighty percent of U.S. voters support increased domestic oil and natural gas production. As Congress and the Trump administration set priorities for 2018, pro-economy, pro-consumer energy policies should be on the short list. Sincerely, Jack N. Gerard President & CEO API Offshore Energy: Safe Development fora Secure Energy Future The natural gas and oil industry has the experience and advanced technology to safely develop the nation's offshore reserves, and we've worked together with regulators to make offshore development safer than ever. Learn more about the importance of offshore energy to future U.S. energy security, and the steps we've taken to keep offshore development safe. 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