Jan 24, 2012 IPAA Statement on Tonight’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON – Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) Chairman Virginia “Gigi” Lazenby issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s State of the Union Address this evening. Lazenby is chief executive officer of Bretagne, LLC, a Nashville-based independent oil and natural gas production company:
“Our industry, made up of mostly very small- and medium-sized businesses, applauds the president for his stated commitment to expanding the responsible development of job-creating American oil and natural gas. As the president made clear this evening, job creation and the restoration of the American dream is a shared goal that exceeds political boundaries.
“As the president underscored, our nation continues to increase its domestic oil and gas production, creating thousands of well-paying, private sector jobs, providing much-needed relief and savings for struggling consumers and stimulating an otherwise anemic economy.
“But the truth behind the veil is that this tremendous broad-based economic and energy security success is largely in spite of this administration’s, at times, harshly anti-oil and natural gas policies, not because of them.
“Despite the unnecessary regulatory burdens and threats of massive new billion dollar tax hikes put forth by this administration, America’s independent oil and natural gas producers — with an average of just twelve employees each — continue to enhance technology, bolster environmental safeguards, and provide the American people with the reliable energy our nation needs to remain strong.
“This responsible oil and natural gas development is creating tens of thousands of private sector jobs and generating hundreds of millions of dollars in local, state, and federal tax revenues. At the same time, independent producers are investing on average 150 percent of their cash flow back into domestic energy development, helping to strengthening our nation’s competitive edge in the global marketplace.
“It is this dedication and commitment to America’s past, present, and future energy outlook that has enhanced our national security, catalyzed job growth, lowered U.S. net imports by 15 percent and stimulated a struggling economy — with virtually no help from the current administration.
“As President Obama acknowledges, we need more domestic energy — of all forms. It is clear that now, more than ever, we must do all we can as a nation to enhance our domestic oil and natural gas production, decrease our reliance on foreign imports, support our workforce, and stimulate our weakened economy. Independent producers are ready to continue our work in meeting these critical goals for our nation — if the administration’s policies will permit us.”
