BRT-member CEOs unveiled the Roundtable's latest policy report today, "Taking Action on Energy: A CEO Vision for America’s Energy Future." A telephone news briefing was led on the report by David Cote, chairman and chief executive officer of Honeywell International; Nick Akins, president and chief executive officer of American Electric Power Co., John S. Watson, chairman and chief executive officer of Chevron Corp.; and Andrew Liveris, chairman and CEO of The Down Chemical Company.
News coverage ....
Reuters, "US CEOs back more drilling, avoid stand on LNG exports"
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Top U.S. executives on Monday urged federal officials to open more land to oil, gas and coal interests and approve the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, but avoided taking a stand on more divisive issues like the level of natural gas exports the United States should pursue.
Tapping new supplies of oil and gas should be at the heart of a comprehensive plan that would replace an "incoherent patchwork of subsidies, mandates and regulations" and help grow the economy, said the Business Roundtable, which speaks for chief executives at major U.S. companies.
"Technology, coupled with access to vast resources, could help strengthen America's position as an energy superpower," Chevron Corp CEO John Watson said in a call outlining the plan.
Houston Chronicle Fuel Fix Blog, "Execs pitch plan to boost oil production":
The 76-page plan by the Business Roundtable, dubbed “a CEO vision for America’s Energy Future,” lays out a broad blueprint for lawmakers and the Obama administration to leverage and capitalize on already climbing domestic oil and gas production as well as energy efficiency gains.
Honeywell International CEO David Cote said the group believes the U.S. needs a “competitiveness agenda” where energy is prioritized.
And Chevron Corp. CEO John Watson said it is “vital that the government work with us to produce a policy framework that supports investments,” because, right now, “what’s holding us back is (the lack of) a national strategy for taking advantage of this opportunity.”
U.S. News and World Report, "Energy Execs: More Drilling, Less Regulation":
Top energy executives urged government officials on Monday to get rid of overly burdensome regulations on the oil and gas industry, and open up more federal lands for drilling as part of broad policy recommendations for America's energy future.
The proposal released by the Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs of leading U.S. companies, also included plans to improve energy efficiency initiatives and support enhanced renewable energy production.
"We need an American competitiveness agenda," said David Cote, chairman and CEO of Honeywell International, and chairman of Business Roundtable's Energy and Environment Committee. "Energy has to be a fundamental part of that agenda."
Platts, "US CEOs call for increased oil, gas access, end to wind subsidies":
As the US Congress develops its energy priorities for the coming session, a national association of CEOs on Monday called on the federal government to ease oil and gas permitting, re-evaluate the impact of regulations on the electricity industry, and gradually eliminate wind power subsidies as part of a broad national energy strategy.
In its 57-page strategy paper released Monday, the Business Roundtable also recommended increased incentives for state-level energy efficiency programs and increased federal funding for "pre-commercial" energy research and development.
"America is on the threshold of a historic, long-term energy boom, but what is holding us back is the lack of a national strategy for taking advantage of this vast opportunity," John Watson, the CEO of Chevron, said during a phone call with reporters.
Washington Free Beacon, "Business to Obama: Give Us Certainty":
An organization of leading corporate executives called for the federal government to establish a comprehensive national energy policy in a report released Monday.
The Business Roundtable—a group of chief executive officers from such companies as Boeing, Dow, and General Electric—says America is in the midst of an “energy renaissance,” but decades of policy uncertainty are stifling the country’s full potential....
"America’s energy future is bright, but it is not certain,” said David M. Cote, chairman and CEO of Honeywell International, Inc. “The only guarantee is that the energy landscape will continue to evolve as new technologies emerge, new resources are developed, and markets respond accordingly. A diverse portfolio of energy efficiency and supply options is the best insurance policy against this uncertain future—enabling America to seize the opportunities and mitigate the risks associated with technological and economic change.”
Update (2/26/13):
- Financial Times (subscription), "Chiefs call for US energy policy shake-up"
- Upstream, "US CEOs call for more domestic production"
- MLive.com (Michigan), "Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris says energy plan ensures 'America stays on top'"