Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC – Today, the American Petroleum Institute released its annual “State of American Energy” report. In the report, API calls for expanded oil and gas drilling and loosened regulations, claiming that these policy changes are necessary to ensure low prices and energy independence.
The report leaves out well-documented drivers of the rising cost of gas, including record high liquified gas exports that are draining domestic supply while enriching oil and gas executives, higher gas utility rates due to alleged industry price fixing following Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 and supply disruptions due to extreme weather worsened by fossil fuel burning.
In response, Sierra Club Senior Director of Energy Campaigns Kelly Sheehan released the following statement:
“The reality is that the more we depend on fossil fuels, the greater our risk of facing energy shortages and price spikes. Relying on oil and gas leaves us vulnerable to the whims of energy executives seeking to raise prices and increase profits by expanding exports at the expense of our communities. The only way to be truly energy independent is to transition away from risky fossil fuels and rapidly expand the amount of clean, renewable energy produced in the United States. The wind and the sun aren’t getting more expensive - fossil fuels are.
“A transition to clean energy is critical for the health and safety of our communities and the future of our planet. The science is clear that in order to avert the worst effects of the climate crisis, we must stop the expansion of new fossil fuel development immediately, and no amount of industry PR is going to change that.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.