'False choice between new green jobs and good oil and gas jobs'

American Petroleum Institute President Jack N. Gerard, as the US Senate began hearings on global climate change on July 7:

“As the Senate begins its important work on climate legislation, lawmakers have an opportunity and obligation to get things right for consumers, businesses and our struggling economy. Copying the mistakes of the flawed House approach will not contribute to a comprehensive energy policy that creates jobs, grows the economy and addresses climate change.

“An independent analysis found the House approach would add substantially to the cost of fuels for consumers and businesses. According to the Heritage Foundation, the legislation could cause gasoline prices to jump 58 percent by 2035. At today’s prices, that means gasoline would be over $4 a gallon. The same study said the total annual cost to a household of four by 2035 would be $4,600.

“And a recent study by CRA International for the National Black Chamber of Commerce also estimates a net loss of over 2 million jobs a year under the House bill.

“The House bill would cost Americans billions of dollars in higher costs, kill jobs, and not deliver the environmental benefits promised. There is a better way.

“Ultimately, any legislation to address climate change will affect anyone who drives a car, flies or rides a train or bus, or consumes products made in a factory or grown on a farm. That is why senators should avoid the House approach and produce legislation that is balanced and equitable in its treatment of transportation fuels and does not require lawmakers to vote on the false choice between creating new green jobs and eliminating good jobs in the oil and natural gas industry.

“We can have both. The oil and gas industry employs nearly 1.8 million Americans and supports another 4 million jobs. We need to retain the good jobs we have in the oil and natural gas industry and create new jobs with new technologies, because America will need all the energy it can get to fuel the economy of the future.”

Contact Nick Snow at[email protected]