RELEASE: Veterans Point to Clean Energy to Secure America’s Energy Independence
WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the Biden Administration announced the cancellation of offshore oil and gas leases, leading veterans stated the decision is a step toward securing energy security and national security as global oil markets reel. The President has said America must move to a full clean energy economy to reduce its reliance on foreign oil, which tethers the nation to the whims of authoritarian leaders bent on making a profit off the backs of working Americans. The lease cancellation comes after the oil and gas industry’s lack of interest left the proposed lease sites short of actual bids to develop them. Ultimately, the industry stepping away will help keep the focus on creating domestic clean energy supply chains that would employ millions of Americans while boosting independent energy production and national security.
“An America that is reliant on oil and gas is an America that can be brought to its knees by foreign leaders. Fossil fuels are compromising our national security, keeping our nation and our world in the despotic grips of dictators like Putin, who will stop at nothing to gain and wield power on the world stage” said Perry O’Brien, Climate Justice Director at Common Defense. “The best move we can make to shore up our national security and protect working families is one that moves the U.S. towards a domestic clean energy economy that lowers costs, boosts American industry, and creates millions of jobs here at home. We must prioritize American clean manufacturing and production so that the very core of American society cannot be sabotaged by global instability and bad actors.”
“As a veteran, I saw first hand the costs of America’s reliance on oil and gas” said Kevin Johnson, Board Director for the American Resilience Project. “Investing in clean energy manufacturing and production at home is the only way to achieve true energy independence while protecting Americans from volatile and often unaffordable prices at the pump. President Biden’s decision is a step toward ensuring that the United States can build a future where true energy independence is a keystone in our national security project.”
The Biden Administration’s announcement comes as Americans are paying out the nose at the pump and struggling to afford utilities as foreign oil prices surge. Oil is not only a volatile and expensive commodity, it is a national security threat, too. The United States must move away from unreliable oil and gas and invest in a strong domestic clean energy sector to boost American families and national security priorities alike.
CONTACT: Andrew Reagan, andrew@ceforamerica.org
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Common Defense: Common Defense is the nation’s largest grassroots veterans organization. We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched powers that have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all.
Clean Energy for America: CE4A amplifies the voice of the clean energy workforce in advocating for policies and leaders to advance just, equitable and rapid decarbonization. CE4A is a 501(c)4 organization.
