U.S. Voters: American Natural Gas Should Be Used for American Economic Growth

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- America's Energy Advantage (AEA) today released the results of a public opinion survey that shows U.S. taxpayers believe American natural gas should be used in this country for domestic economic gain. America's Energy Advantage is a recently formed coalition that advocates for the use of abundant, affordable supplies of natural gas to fuel U.S. economic growth through the emerging renaissance in American manufacturing and keeping prices low for consumers. The America's Energy Advantage survey also showed that consumers have serious reservations about indiscriminate natural gas exports, and believe the government should proceed with caution and deliberation when considering exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG). MWR Strategies conducted the survey of more than 1,000 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. The complete results of the survey are available on www.americasenergyadvantage.org/survey.

Today's results were released at an America's Energy Advantage luncheon in Washington, D.C. that was attended by representatives of the coalition's founding members, including: Alcoa Inc., American Public Gas Association (APGA), Celanese Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical and Nucor Corporation.

"Keeping and using natural gas in the U.S. will help to keep prices low, which means low utility bills for U.S. homeowners, which in turn translates to more money left over to pump into the economy," said Bert Kalisch, President and CEO of the American Public Gas Association. "APGA's members, 700 publicly owned natural gas utilities, oppose the large-scale export of natural gas because it will raise prices on our customers, many of whom are still struggling to make ends meet. In addition to providing financial benefits to our economy, domestic natural gas also has environmental benefits, it is clean-burning, and simultaneously increases our national security as it reduces our dependence on foreign oil. The poll results clearly show that the American public agrees with our position."

"The oil and gas industry should be commended for the remarkable advances they have made in unconventional drilling," said George Biltz, Vice President of Energy and Climate Change at The Dow Chemical Company. "Because of their skill, abundant and affordable supplies of natural gas continue to create a competitive advantage in U.S. manufacturing, which creates millions of jobs and increases GDP through the significant 'ripple' effect of creating benefits throughout the greater economy. The U.S. must not squander this tremendous opportunity through unfettered exports."

"Exporting America's low-cost natural gas is actually one of the least valuable uses for this resource," adds Eastman Chemical Company's Ray Ratheal, Director of Energy and Climate Change Policy. "America's chemical manufacturers use a broad array of technologies to turn natural gas into an incredible variety of products that touch nearly every aspect of our lives. Some will benefit by selling the low-cost resource directly, but the greatest value to the nation as a whole will be realized by allowing American industry to transform natural gas into more valuable materials. Exporting value-added products, instead of the low-cost resource, will benefit the broader economy and enhance America's energy security."

"As our country continues to face sustained economic and employment challenges, manufacturing has been one of the few sectors to actually add jobs," said Jennifer Diggins, Director, Public Affairs, Nucor Corporation. "There is no doubt this is in large part due to the affordability of natural gas.  Natural gas is fueling our recovery by providing a competitive advantage to energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries, like steel, that compete against nations that unfairly subsidize their exports.  Today's survey confirms that the American public values family-supporting manufacturing jobs and recognizes the important role natural gas plays in their homes and communities."

About America's Energy Advantage

America's Energy Advantage, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) not for profit organization that is dedicated to educating the American public about the growth in American manufacturing that has been made possible by our country's abundant and affordable supply of natural gas.

The group believes that domestic natural gas should be used to further the national interest by creating the most jobs and providing the most benefit to the American economy and to the American people. This means encouraging the federal government to move cautiously on permitting natural gas exports in order to measure impact on price, security, and jobs.

America's Energy Advantage believes in rules-based free trade and living up to trade commitments made to the World Trade Organization. It believes that the U.S. needs a comprehensive national energy narrative that takes into consideration the consequences of unfettered natural gas exports on American industry. The natural gas advantage has made the U.S. manufacturing sector more competitive, which has created jobs, spurred capital investment and increased exports of value-added products. Outside of industry, America's Energy Advantage strives to protect the benefits affordable natural gas has bestowed on the American consumer, including low utility bills for homeowners.  

SOURCE America’s Energy Advantage