Campaign Will Focus on Jobs and Economic Growth Potential of Shale
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy today launched a major new campaign focused on galvanizing support for shale energy resources across America.
The “Shale Works for US” campaign is a national effort designed to build support for the economic and energy security benefits of natural gas and oil produced from shale. The Institute for 21st Century Energy is the energy policy arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization. The Shale Works for US campaign will be a component of the Energy Institute’s advocacy for a comprehensive energy policy that includes all forms of energy, from oil, natural gas and coal to nuclear and renewables.
“Shale energy has the potential to be an economic game-changer for our entire nation,” said Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the Energy Institute. “Thanks to American innovation, we are now in a position to take advantage of vast amounts of shale energy resources that will create jobs and make us more energy secure. The Shale Works for US campaign will help educate the public and the business community about the benefits and opportunities presented by increased shale production.”
Over the last two weeks, the Shale Works for US campaign launched in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York, with more states to follow. The campaign will build a network of communities, businesses and policymakers throughout the states and at the federal level to support the economic, job creation and energy security benefits generated by shale energy. In addition to recruitment in the field, the campaign will include earned and paid media and digital advocacy.
At the national launch, the Energy Institute welcomed Chamber leaders from states with shale production to give an overview of the opportunities that exist in their states.
“Oil and natural gas production in Ohio is not new, but recent advances in technology will allow for vast quantities of recently discovered shale to be harvested in a safe, environmentally responsible way,” said Linda Woggon, executive director of the Ohio Shale Coalition and executive vice president of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “This production will not only create jobs for Ohioans, but generate new revenues for localities throughout our state, meaning more money for education and public safety and lower residential property taxes.”
In addition, the launch also featured several “success stories”—individual companies that have already reaped the benefits of increased shale production.
“The entire American economy, including manufacturing, is already seeing the beneficial impacts of expanded shale production,” said Joe Eddy, president of Eagle Manufacturing and chairman of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. “Shale gives us a significant advantage in the global marketplace through cheaper and more secure feedstock and lower energy costs. I’m pleased to join with the U.S. Chamber in their efforts to help educate the business community and the public about the significant opportunity that exists in West Virginia and around the nation.”
For more information about the campaign, visit www.shaleworksforus.com
The mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy is to unify policymakers, regulators, business leaders, and the American public behind a common sense energy strategy to help keep America secure, prosperous, and clean. Through policy development, education, and advocacy, the Institute is building support for meaningful action at the local, state, national, and international levels.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.