Put the Nation Back to Work
Mark Green
Posted September 16, 2010
Over the last few weeks, thousands of energy workers and ordinary citizens--people whose jobs and quality of life depend on access to affordable energy--rallied together to send Congress and the administration a message: focus on reviving our economy and creating more jobs. Starting Monday, thousands more will join them in an online rally, a virtual meeting space for energy advocates.
"Rally for Jobs" events took place in seven cities across the country and provided opportunities for people to voice their concern about proposals in Washington to impose higher energy taxes--a move that could not only kill jobs and impede economic growth, but also hurt U.S. competitiveness abroad and limit our ability to produce the energy this country needs.
Raising taxes, particularly when nearly 15 million people are still unemployed, is the last thing we need. An API analysis based on a new Wood Mackenzie study finds that certain proposed tax changes could put 165,000 jobs at risk in the next 10 years. A separate analysis evaluating similar tax proposals from Joseph Mason of Louisiana State University finds that 2011 job losses from misguided tax policies could total 154,000.Policymakers who call for higher taxes should understand who would really be hurt by such policies--American businesses, consumers and families. At a time when the economy is trying to recover from a deep recession, this is the last thing we need.
The federal government projects that oil and natural gas will comprise more than half of U.S. energy supplies in 2035. The United States can either purchase this energy abroad or produce it here at home to create jobs, generate government revenue and provide reliable supplies to American consumers.
The choice is clear. We need to stand up for American jobs and energy and reject higher taxes on U.S. energy companies.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.