Growing Concerns on Energy Challenges Demand Sensible Action
WASHINGTON, D.C.—With challenging events, including the Gulf oil spill, placing America’s energy future at a crossroads, the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy announced today that it is accelerating its national tour of key states to build support for meaningful action on energy. The tour is part of the Energy Institute’s efforts to bring the voices of America’s businesses and entrepreneurs to the table as leaders in Washington consider significant policy changes. The Energy Reality Tour: A National Discussion on America’s Energy Future, which encompasses nearly 30 states, will pick up speed next week and continue through the fall. At each stop, Energy Institute officials will be discussing with business and community leaders the realities of America’s energy challenges and the solutions that will make our nation more secure and prosperous. “America’s energy and economic challenges are growing and the time to galvanize support for sensible action to shape our long-term energy security is now,” said Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the Energy Institute. “The Energy Reality Tour will bring the voices of Americans from across the country back to Washington in support of comprehensive action on energy that will improve our energy security and create jobs. It will also expose the grave consequences that some proposed policies could have on our economy and our energy supply.” The Energy Institute’s Index of U.S. Energy Security Risk, released last month, demonstrates that unless we take action, America’s energy security risks will rise to levels not seen in decades due to increased energy demand, higher prices, and lack of energy infrastructure. The Energy Institute has proposed a comprehensive, 88-point plan to both President Obama and the Congress that is centered on increasing and diversifying America’s energy supply, improving energy efficiency, modernizing and protecting our energy infrastructure, and promoting environmental stewardship. The Energy Reality Tour, which has already included visits to more than 20 states, will resume next week with stops in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado. Other planned stops on the tour include Florida, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Arkansas.
The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
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