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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