API on energy tax

In remarks to reporters on 13^th February, Jack Gerard, President and CEO of the API, expressed disappointment with the proposed tax increases on the oil and natural gas industry in the administration’s 2013 budget plan, especially in light of the president’s seeming endorsement of more domestic oil and natural gas development in his state of the union address last month:

‘The president’s 2013 budget plan returns to the well of bad ideas and backtracks on his state of the union commitment. Instead of advancing constructive prodevelopment policies, his budget plan calls for increased taxes on America’s oil and natural gas industry.’

‘Increasing our taxes would push oil and natural gas investment overseas and diminish job creation and economic activity here at home. After a handful of years, we would see less domestic energy production, particularly of natural gas, more imports, fewer new jobs, and eventually, depressed tax, royalty and other revenues.’

‘Frankly, the administration should be trying to replicate the success America’s oil and natural gas industry has had in creating jobs and growing the economy primarily through development on private and state lands. The evidence clearly shows that what we’re doing is working.’

‘If the industry’s job creating investments are a stimulus for the nation, then what the administration is proposing is an antistimulus. To spur new jobs, the president advocates tax breaks for everyone bur the oil and gas industry, the one sector with the proven ability to create jobs and already supporting 9.2 million of them.’

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/15022012/api-on-energy-tax/