Don't Limit Access to Natural Gas

Any amendment being debated in the U.S. Senate that would stunt progress on the creation of renewable energy and energy efficiency programs is not acceptable to the American chemical industry.

The Senate energy bill’s Renewable Fuels Standard, for example, would increase natural gas demand by as much as 700 billion cubic feet. That’s because natural gas is essential to grow and process renewable energy crops. This amendment will make it far more difficult for the business of chemistry to contribute the energy-saving materials that help the U.S. economy be more energy-efficient. Building insulation, lightweight vehicle parts, reflective coatings, automotive lubricants, wind power blades, solar panels, “low rolling resistance” tires, energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances – all of these are made with chemistry, which requires large amounts of natural gas. Energy efficiency improvements have a direct climate connection: they are essential to helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Targeted Recipients

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Sincerely,

Targeted Recipients

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As an employee of the chemical industry in your state, my livelihood depends on affordable supplies of natural gas, which is an important energy source and raw material in the business of chemistry. Yet for some reason, members of the U.S. Senate still seek to deny access to America’s abundant natural resources and vast supplies of natural gas.

The amendment offered by Senator Menendez to the energy bill is not acceptable to the chemical industry should be defeated. More supplies of natural gas are need. Senator John Warner will offer an amendment to increase much needed supplies of natural gas by carefully opening waters far off the coast of Virginia (50 miles) to natural gas development.

The Menendez amendment will hold back progress on the renewable energy and energy efficiency programs. The Senate energy bill’s Renewable Fuels Standard, for example, would increase natural gas demand by as much as 700 billion cubic feet. That’s because natural gas is essential to grow and process renewable energy crops. The Menendez amendment will make it far more difficult for the business of chemistry to contribute the energy-saving materials that help the U.S. economy be more energy-efficient. Building insulation, lightweight vehicle parts, reflective coatings, automotive lubricants, wind power blades, solar panels, “low rolling resistance” tires, energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances – all of these are made with chemistry, which requires large amounts of natural gas. Energy efficiency improvements have a direct climate connection: they are essential to helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Warner amendment is a step in the right direction. The Menendez amendment is a giant leap backwards. Please support the chemical industry and support the Warner amendment.

Sincerely,

Targeted Recipients

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As someone who works in the business of chemistry in the state of Virginia, I know how important a supply of natural gas is to the industry. I am writing to ask you to support an amendment which will allow for increase in the country’s supply of natural gas

Supporting an amendment to allow for the safe and resourceful drilling off Virginia’s shores will allow access to the needed natural gas supply to help meet the growing economic needs of the state and country. Your support of such an amendment is a necessary. At a time when the nation is using more natural gas - demand is expected to grow by nearly 20 percent by 2030) – passage of such an amendment will lead the nation in the right direction.

Presently 100,000 Virginians directly or indirectly make their livelihoods from the business of chemistry. Natural gas is used by the chemical industry to make biofuels, energy efficient materials, solar panels, wind turbines, ultra-clean diesel fuels, light-weight vehicle parts, lower carbon power generation and other “clean” sources of energy. The natural gas reserves off the coast of Virginia will be needed to help the nation transition to a lower-carbon economy.

I hope you will consider supporting such an amendment when it is introduced on the Senate floor. Such an amendment is essential to the continued success of the dynamic chemical industry in Virginia.

Sincerely,

Targeted Recipients

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On behalf of the millions of Americans who make their livelihoods from the business of chemistry and one of the nearly 100,000 Virginians employed by the dynamic industry, I am writing to thank you for your strong support of expanding the nation’s access to natural gas. At a time when the nation is using more natural gas (demand is expected to grow by nearly 20 percent by 2030), your amendment leads the nation in the right direction.

Natural gas is used to make biofuels, energy efficient materials, solar panels, wind turbines, ultra-clean diesel fuels, light-weight vehicle parts, lower carbon power generation and other “clean” sources of energy. The natural gas reserves off the coast of Virginia will be vitally needed to help the nation transition to a lower-carbon economy.

The business of chemistry in American supports policies to make the economy more energy efficient and to develop renewable and alternative sources of energy. The chemical industry is the principal supplier of materials that make the economy more efficient. In other words we use energy to save energy. And the energy we use most is natural gas.

Your amendment recognizes that Congress must expand access to natural gas supply to help meet the growing needs of the country. It is a carefully considered and logical next step in the process and I commend you for introducing it on the Senate floor.

Sincerely,