Seeks Access to Abundant U.S. Energy Supply

May 9, 2006

LANSING, MI – A broad alliance of consumer, industrial and institutional energy users today called on Congress to act on pending proposals to provide greater access to the abundant U.S. supply of energy on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) as a way to address the current U.S. energy crisis.

Representatives of the Michigan Consumer Alliance for Energy Security, a local affiliate of a newly formed national advocacy group, said high U.S. energy prices are having a negative impact on Michigan agriculture, consumers and businesses.

"Affordable energy, including natural gas, is critical to the agriculture industry," said Wayne Wood, President of the Michigan Farm Bureau, the state’s largest agricultural organization. "Not only do growers rely on natural gas for fertilizer production, but also for irrigating, drying grain, heating greenhouses and powering equipment. Many people don’t realize that natural gas is also needed to produce ethanol, so if we want more ethanol, we’ll need more natural gas. With natural gas being used for so many agricultural purposes, the increased costs are almost unbearable for some farmers."

"Natural gas prices are having a dramatic impact on Michigan businesses," said John "Mac" MacIlroy, President of the Michigan Manufacturers Association. "In an already intensely competitive environment, tripling natural gas prices are further eroding manufacturers’ ability to compete against firms across the globe and leading to job losses."

The National Association of Manufacturers estimates that more than 3.1 million high paying manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2000 largely as a result of the inadequate supply of domestic natural gas.

Gale Arent, Executive Director of the Michigan Floriculture Growers Council said: "Many of our growers made agreements with commercial buyers before natural gas prices reached record high levels in October 2005. Some of the growers will not be profitable this year, and may even be forced to shut down because they won’t recover their increased energy expenses."

A national opinion survey by the Consumer Alliance for Energy Security confirmed that the American public understands the severity of the U.S. energy crisis. The survey found that nearly 90% of the respondents believe that rising energy costs are having a significant impact on their family’s monthly budget. In addition, nearly 60% of those polled support accessing the abundant supply of domestic energy available on the Outer Continental Shelf.

The Michigan Alliance for Energy Security is the Michigan arm of the broad-based coalition of consumers and industrial and institutional energy users committed to alleviating the current U.S. energy crisis by pushing for greater access to the abundant supply of domestic energy on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

For additional information, visit http://http://www.secureourenegy.com.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

For additional information, contact:

Craig G. Veith
(703) 717-9816
craig.veith@craigveith.com