US chem council unveils energy advocacy campaign
Cal Dooley, ACC president and CEO, was joined by members of Congress and business leaders at an event on Capitol Hill.
“In order for our economy to grow, U.S. industries to innovate and compete globally, and businesses to create new jobs, a national energy strategy is critical,” said Dooley.
“Through this campaign, we will promote the development of sound energy policies that support these goals, while highlighting chemistry’s role in enabling a strong, secure and sustainable future for the United States,” he added.
Americans agree that a national energy strategy is needed, the ACC said.
According to a recent national survey conducted by Washington-based Clarus Research Group, an overwhelming majority of voters (94%) believe that a “comprehensive energy policy is essential to building a strong economy, creating new jobs, and making America more competitive with other countries.”
“Many people don’t realize that the chemistry industry is the foundation of America’s manufacturing sector,” said Jim Gallogly, CEO of LyondellBasell. “Chemistry creates the basic building blocks for countless products Americans rely on every day, as well as 96 percent of all manufactured goods made in the United States.
“Abundant, affordable domestic natural gas has created a new competitive edge for American chemistry, and it’s driving a renaissance in US manufacturing,” Gallogly added.
“America’s chemistry industry is a technology and materials innovator and can play a central role in meeting energy challenges,” said Gary W. Spitzer, president of DuPont Chemicals & Fluoroproducts.
“At DuPont, we are intensely focused on using science to address major challenges, including the need for abundant, affordable and increasingly clean energy. We offer solutions that enable renewable energy technologies as well as reduced energy consumption, and we continuously improve our own energy efficiency. These efforts reflect the kinds of contributions being made across our industry.”
A recent ACC study found that the use of chemistry in energy-saving products and technologies helps save up to 10.9 quadrillion Btus of energy annually, enough to power up to 56 million households or up to 135 million vehicles each year, and saving Americans up to $85 billion in energy costs annually.
ACC said it will advocate for a comprehensive national energy strategy that maximizes all domestic energy resources, with a focus on robust and responsible production of domestic shale gas; improved residential, commercial and industrial energy efficiency; and expanded adoption of energy recovery programs.
Each will help meet national energy security, economic and environmental goals while also creating value for the business of chemistry, the ACC said.
For more information on the campaign, visit its website by clicking here.
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