Energy consumers and producers, including six oil and gas trade associations, have formed what former US Sen. John Breaux (D-La.) termed “a coalition of coalitions” to develop national energy policy recommendations.
Called the Energy Initiative, the group intends to examine all aspects of energy, including global climate change, organizers told reporters at a Dec. 15 briefing.
“Only when you bring all sides together with a legitimate balance discussion can you solve problems America faces. Energy clearly is one of those problems,” said Breaux, who cochairs the EI with Beverly O’Neill, a former mayor of Long Beach, Calif., and former president of the National Council of Mayors.
O’Neill added, “We have to address this issue head-on. The cities of the United States have taken it on to determine what can be done locally, and their efforts are important. But a guiding national concept is needed.”
Following the briefing, representatives of the 9 producing and 22 consuming organizations met in three committees addressing transportation, stationary energy consumers, and conservation and efficiency.
“This coalition is a unique endeavor, which is what is needed to move things forward,” said American Petroleum Institute Pres. Red Cavaney. He noted that API is aware of a general public lack of understanding regarding energy production, particularly oil and gas, and expressed hope that the EI could help improve the situation.
EI will develop broad recommendations, which Breaux hopes to deliver to the administration of President George W. Bush and the 110th Congress by mid-2007. “I don’t think we will be responding to specific legislation or issues,” he said.
Donald F. Santa, president of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America, said that the time is ripe to address wider energy questions. “All too frequently, when it comes to specific energy projects-whether a wind turbine, a pipeline or [an LNG] terminal-citizens and their elected officials adopt a not-in-my-backyard, don’t-build-it-here mentality,” he observed.
The Association of Oil Pipe Lines, Domestic Petroleum Council, Independent Petroleum Association of America, and National Ocean Industries Association also are participating.
Environmental organizations are represented through the Apollo Alliance, a coalition of labor and organizations and environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and National Wildlife Federation. Most US environmental groups want the US to diversify its energy sources beyond oil, gas, and other fossil fuels, and the group will present that view, according to the alliance’s Pres. Jerome Ringo.
Breaux said he expects global climate change to be a major part of EI’s deliberations. “I don’t think you can address energy now without it. The changes in the new Congress suggest that there will be climate change discussions there. We would like to be part of that,” he said.
O’Neill said she hoped EI could produce worthwhile recommendations for a national energy strategy. “For a decade now, states and organizations have formulated energy policies, but the federal government has provided no guiding policy,” she said.