API pushes candidates on energy policy

Speaking from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, American Petroleum Institute (API) president and CEO Jack Gerard nudged candidates from both parties on why a strong energy policy was important to the continued growth of the industry.

"Over the last decade, our nation has seen oil production surge 85%. This is largely due to the technological advancements with hydraulic fracturing combined with horizontal drilling. At the same time, the United States is leading the world in reducing carbon emissions which are at near 20-year lows," said Gerard. "We need energy policies that are keeping up with the times, supporting job creation, and bringing benefits to consumers."

On the Keystone Pipeline project, one of the more contentious energy issues of the last decade, API has work to do on both sides of the aisle. While API is staunchly in favor of the project, saying that it "would provide a significant boost to U.S. energy security, bringing more than 800,000 barrels of oil per day to U.S. refineries," President Obama has opposed its construction.

Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has said she also would oppose the pipeline’s construction. Republican candidate Donald Trump said he would approve the project, but only for a share of the oil profits coming from the pipeline, which Politico reported would violate existing trade deals with the Canadian government and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Bob Vavra is content manager for Oil & Gas Engineering, bvavra@cfemedia.com.

Do you have experience and expertise with the topics mentioned in this content? You should consider contributing to our CFE Media editorial team and getting the recognition you and your company deserve. Click here to start this process.