Natural Gas - The New Energy Crisis

The Senate Energy Committee broke new ground when it passed its energy bill last month. Now is the time for the Senate to finish the job by permitting coastal states to petition the federal government for carefully measured access to proven gas deposits in coastal waters.

The chemical industry needs the bill to address U.S. natural gas prices, which are the highest in the world. These raw material costs are making it increasingly difficult for manufacturing industries to compete in global markets. The chemical industry's gas bill has increased by $10 billion in two years. The industry has lost $50 billion in business to overseas competition and more than 90,000 good-paying American jobs have disappeared.

Fill out the form to your right, edit the letter to include your company name, and then click "send this message." The system will automatically match your address to the Senators that represent you in Congress and send e-mails from you to the Senators. Please personalize this letter to explain how high natural gas prices are hurting your company. If you wish to read more about the Natural Gas issue, click "Tell Me More" below.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support OCS drilling

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

US natural gas prices are the highest in the world. My company is making deep cost cuts to stay competive. We've lost many good-paying jobs due to record-high natural gas prices.

The Senate must act now to bring down the price of natural gas. Senator Lamar Alexander has an amendment to bring a much-needed infusion of natural gas to the market. The amendment gives coastal states the right to develop natural gas deposits off of their shorelines. It is a new and better way of developing the nation's energy resources.

That amendment, together with important efficiency, conservation and fuel diversity provisions already in the bill, will help reduce the price of natural gas and give my company a chance to compete in the market.

The equation is simple: Natural Gas Offshore = Jobs Onshore. Your constituents, whose job depends on affordable natural gas, are counting on your support.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 16, 2005

Background Information

US natural gas prices are the highest in the world, making it increasingly difficult for manufacturing industries to compete in global markets. High natural gas prices are threatening the continued viability of a great American industry. Congress has long turned a blind eye to what the price of natural gas is doing to the chemicals and plastics industries. Congress also ignored the fact that its own policies were the major cause of the natural gas crisis. Congress encouraged utilities to burn lots of natural gas to make electricity, but also put much of the nation's gas supply off-limits to use.

Congress is now working on energy legislation. APC and ACC members are asking their Senators to support the adoption of provisions that will address the natural gas crisis. Senators listen to what the voters are saying. You can help this effort by asking your Senator to fix the natural gas problem this year. By using the website e-mail tool, you can send a letter to your Senator asking them to support the bill. Your e-mail letter will tell them:

* US natural gas prices are the highest in the world. High natural gas costs are pricing American manufacturing out of global markets.

* My company cannot continue to compete at these prices.

* Congress caused this crisis by accelerating demand and restricting supply. Only Congress can undo the damage.

* Consumers are paying a heavy price. Congress must enact energy legislation.

* The US needs a bill that reduces demand, increases supply, and relies more on advanced coal technology, nuclear power and renewable sources of energy. Your letter will ask Senators to adopt an energy bill that contains strong measures to cure the national gas crisis: (1) a robust national gasification strategy that frees up large quantities of natural gas, (2) provisions in the Oil and Gas title that bring much needed new supplies of gas to market from proven reserves in the Outer Continental Shelf and (3) measures to help the U.S. use natural gas more efficiently to generate electricity.

For additional information on the natural gas crisis:

* view a powerpoint presentation on this issue and a summary of the Senate legislation.

* read the March congressional testimony of Mr. Pete Jones, President, Wexco Corporation on behalf of the Consumers Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas.

* read a Plastics News article about how natural gas prices are affecting the cost of raw materials for Rubbermaid.

* read the American Chemistry Council May 26 statement on the Energy Bill.

* visit the ACC Natural Gas Media Kit.

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