Media Contact: Jennifer Scott
Phone: 703-741-5813
America’s chemical industry is the largest energy consumer in the manufacturing sector. Chemical companies use large amounts of natural gas—more than the state of California—both to heat and power our facilities and as a raw material for chemistry that goes into thousands of consumer and industrial products. Other U.S. industries also depend on natural gas for production, among them steel, aluminum, cement and agriculture.
Given our industry’s reliance on natural gas for production, one of our most pressing challenges is its cost and volatility. In some countries, natural gas can be purchased for far less than in the United States. Chemical makers and other manufacturers simply cannot compete effectively in the global market when the cost of one of their key “inputs” is so much higher. Consumers see the impact as well—in their home heating and electricity bills—natural gas is increasingly used for electricity generation—and in the cost of products they buy that are made with natural gas, as higher energy costs ripple through the supply chain.
Government policies exert significant influence on domestic energy price and supply. Clearly, consensus has developed in Congress that current OCS policy—a blanket ban on energy development off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts—must be changed. America’s energy needs require expanded access to domestic sources. ACC has long advocated for a balanced energy policy that includes efficiency, conservation, diversity (including renewables) and expanded domestic energy supply. As these issues continue to occupy center stage in Congress, these will remain our key priorities.
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news and highlights
Audio Conference and Materials: American Materials Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA) Says Many Concerns for U.S. Manufacturing in Senate EPW Climate Bill » learn more New Study Confirms Key Role for Chemical Industry in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions » learn more ACC’s Cal Dooley Comments on Energy and Environment Issues on National Journal’s Experts Blog » view comments AMMA Letter to Senate EPW Committee Members on Climate Legislation, July 15, 2009 » view letter ACC Allowance Allocation Testimony to House Energy and Environment Subcommittee, June 9, 2009 » view testimony Cal Dooley Welcomes Washington, DC Attendees to a U.S. News & World Report National Issues Briefing: “Energy and Climate Change in the Obama Administration and 111th Congress,” January 13, 2009 » view transcript |
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Resources:
- ACC Issue Brief on Energy and Climate
- Energy-Saving Products Enabled by Chemistry
- Energy and Climate Solutions Through American Chemistry
- The Facts About Energy Exploration
- How American Chemistry Helps the U.S. Save Energy
- Chemistry’s Contribution to Energy and Efficiency Conservation
- AMMA Paper on Allowance Allocation Policies in Climate Legislation [June 8, 2009]
- ACC Letter on Clean Energy Loan Guarantees [February 3, 2009]
- ACC Letter on the Economic Recovery Bill [January 26, 2009]
- ACC Clean Energy Economic Recovery Proposals Paper [December 2008]
- ACC’s Cal Dooley Discusses Energy, Climate, Rail Policy and Chemical Regulation [September 30, 2008]
- ACC Testimony: The Future of Coal Under Carbon Cap and Trade [September 6, 2007]
Media Coverage:
- Cal Dooley Comments on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Policy [National Journal's Energy and Environment Experts Blog, 11/18/2009]
- Cal Dooley Comments on Global Climate Policy [Politico Arena Blog, 11/16/2009]
- Natural Gas Surge, Is It a Pipe Dream? [The Washington Times, 11/13/2009]
- Cal Dooley Comments on U.S. Natural Gas Policy [National Journal's Energy and Environment Experts Blog, 11/5/2009]