The 3Es

Energy Security
Economic Growth
Environmental Solutions

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Fast Fact:
U.S. electricity generation has tripled since 1970 while emissions have been reduced by more than 42%.

Energy Security

The Most Powerful Nation on Earth Needs More Power

American families and businesses are struggling with a deepening energy crisis as the economy strains.  As U.S. electricity demand continues to grow in step with greater reliance on imported oil and expensive natural gas, we can’t lose site of an important lesson about America’s energy security: 

When oil recently soared north of $140 per barrel and gas climbed above $4 per gallon, the United States called on OPEC to increase supply to give relief at the pump.  Nothing happened.

But as soon as the price of oil dove below $70 per barrel, OPEC dropped production virtually overnight.  These events are accentuated at a time when the nations with the world’s largest supply of natural gas are flexing their muscle through talk of a new energy cartel.  Iran, Russia and Venezuela have over 45 percent of the world’s gas. Already America relies too much on imported oil.  Why would we give up greater control of our energy future?  

America holds the keys to its energy security:  We have the world’s number one supply of coal, which holds more than six times the energy of U.S. oil and natural gas reserves combined... more energy than all the oil in the Middle East. 

Our abundant supply of clean coal creates a big advantage for citizens who are increasingly concerned about energy security and high energy costs in a tough economy.  The states that use the highest percent of natural gas for electricity generation pay mini bar prices for electricity that are 120 percent greater than the states that use the most coal. 

Among these is California, which pays some of the highest electricity bills in the nation.  Even so, they’re moving ahead with a so-called green energy plan that is expected to increase electricity rates another 11 percent by 2020.  Natural gas prices would increase by 8 percent.  And gasoline is forecast to soar an astounding $11 billion per year, according to the California Manufacturers and Technology Association. 

The most powerful nation on earth needs more affordable power, and greater use of clean coal is the solution.  Coal has been the fastest-growing fuel for the past five years and cost one-fourth that of natural gas last year.