Washington, D.C. — Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), in an effort to recognize the importance of America’s domestic energy industry and celebrate the men and women who make it work, spearheaded the formal establishment of National Energy Appreciation Day (NEAD) by working with members of Congress, industry leaders, and coalition partners. NEAD will be observed annually on October 4. IWF’s Center for Energy and Conservation (CEC), upon leading the charge in celebrating energy’s vital role, will be announcing additional initiatives to honor the men and women who power America’s innovative energy sector.
Inspired by how America’s modern energy system has made American lives and economic opportunity so much better, and concerned that the U.S. oil and gas industry has been needlessly attacked, jeopardizing our energy security and economic growth, Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC) have introduced a bicameral resolution to designate National Energy Appreciation Day.
IWF’s Center for Energy and Conservation believes the path to a cleaner planet and improved public health requires a true all-of-the-above approach, which is reflected in the U.S. energy mix. Coal, oil and natural gas make up 80% of our daily energy needs, nuclear makes up 8% and a variety of renewables such as hydro, biomass, wind, and solar make up 12%. In recent years, some have sought to undermine fossil fuels by painting them in a negative light and obscuring the role they play in modern society. The Center for Energy and Conservation seeks to correct that narrative with the establishment of NEAD.
Celebrating National Energy Appreciation Day will:
- RECOGNIZE the vital role that energy plays in our economy and society, making everything we do possible.
- EDUCATE the public on how energy is accessed – the hard work and long-term planning that goes into safely bringing resources online.
- CELEBRATE how environmental progress has gone hand-in-hand with improved energy productivity.
- ELEVATE the women and men working in the energy field that deserve our recognition and gratitude.
“CEC was started to elevate and expand the conversation around energy and environmental protection,” said Mandy Gunasekara, director of the Center for Energy and Conservation (CEC) at IWF. Importantly, we also wanted to bring awareness to the men and women in the field that go to work every day helping deliver on the goals of reliable energy that fuels economic opportunity alongside continued environmental improvements.”
“National Energy Appreciation Day (NEAD) recognizes the people of the energy industry and the products they make that fuel our modern way of life. Generally, their hard work is overlooked or taken for granted, but not today. We can all take a moment to recognize the vital role energy plays in our lives as well as the men and women who make it all work,” Gunasekara added.
Senior Fellow with IWF Gabby Hoffman said, “Energy workers are an integral part of American society who deserve our thanks and appreciation. Here at Independent Women’s Forum’s Center for Energy and Conservation, we highlight their impact and showcase how their contributions allow us to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and prevent energy insecurity. Too many Americans take affordable, domestic energy development for granted. National Energy Appreciation Day will help fill a void and spotlight the men and women who power our country and keep the lights on.”
IWF’s Center for Energy and Conservation applauds the leadership of U.S. Senate and U.S. House sponsors and cosponsors for understanding the importance of what National Energy Appreciation Day means for the American energy industry.
Senator Cynthia Lummis said upon introduction of S.Res.386, “Every single day Wyoming energy producers work tirelessly to power our nation, and I am introducing this resolution to show the energy industry how much I appreciate everything they do to make our country a better place. As this administration continues to put our domestic energy producers on the backburner with its war on American energy, it is essential that we pause to recognize and celebrate their invaluable contributions to our daily lives that we so often take for granted.”
Congressman Jeff Duncan said, “We are blessed to live in a country where, except for rare occasions, when we flip a switch, the lights turn on. We often take for granted the abundance of natural resources and generation capacity that puts electricity into our homes and communities 24/7/365. National Energy Appreciation Day (NEAD), observed the first Wednesday in October, will recognize the importance of our domestic energy industry to modern life and celebrate the men and women who make it all work. The United States energy mix is truly reflective of an all-of-the-above approach. We should set aside a time to appreciate how coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear, wind, solar, hydro, and all other sources of energy work together to heat our homes, keep the lights on, and power the robust economy that enables us to enjoy a high standard of living.”
Additional statements of support for National Energy Appreciation Day:
“America has been blessed with vast natural resources — and the technology to make that energy clean. This resolution establishing a National Energy Appreciation Day is a great way to celebrate America’s energy leadership,” said Luke Bolar, Chief External Affairs Officer, ClearPath.
“The Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) appreciates Senator Lummis and Congressman Duncan’s resolution recognizing the important role U.S. energy and energy workers play in making our modern way of life possible. IPAA represents the thousands of independent crude oil and natural gas explorers and producers across the United States of America – the majority of which are small businesses with less than 20 employees. Our members care about the communities where they live, work and raise their families. They’re proud of the professionalism they bring to their jobs and are aware that their work is critically important to American prosperity and security,” said Jeff Eshelman, President & CEO, Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA).
“Reliable and affordable energy isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity for human flourishing and meeting the basic needs of our lives. Yet this obvious point seems to be lost on some people. That’s why Senator Lummis and Representative Duncan should be commended for seeking to establish National Energy Appreciation Day. We should never forget the importance of energy in our lives, from the electricity required to run our hospitals and schools, to the diesel used by truckers to deliver the goods we buy at the store. Devoting a day to remember and appreciate what energy means for all of us is needed at this time, especially due to the constant attacks on energy production and use. We should never risk being in the dark, and National Energy Appreciation Day should help to ensure we remain in the light,” said Daren Bakst, Director at the Center for Energy and Environment and Senior Fellow, Competitive Enterprise Institute.
“The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) enthusiastically supports Senator Lummis’ resolution to establish a National Energy Appreciation Day (NEAD). DEPA’s membership are The People of American Oil and Gas. We have, and will continue to support the NEAD stated goals of: RECOGNIZE the vital role that energy plays in our economy and society, making everything we do possible; EDUCATE the public on how energy is accessed – the hard work and long-term planning that goes into safely bringing resources online; CELEBRATE how environmental progress has gone hand-in-hand with improved energy productivity; and ELEVATE the women and men working in the energy field that deserve our recognition and gratitude,” said Jerry Simmons, President/CEO, Domestic Energy Producers Alliance.
“The US Congress is considering legislation to establish a National Energy Appreciation Day. The United Nations created a Human Development Index that considered important measures of mortality rates, poverty, education, and health. The index is literally tied to how much affordable, reliable electricity is available to a population with developed countries having at least 4,000 KWh’s per person. Look back at 2010 America when electricity was just becoming widely available. Average life expectancy was 46. Ninety percent of the population was in what would be considered poverty today. People had large families and expected one or two children to die. Finishing high school was rare. We owe our progress to our access to energy. Here’s hoping the legislation passes,” said David T. Stevenson, Director, Center for Energy & Environment, Caesar Rodney Institute.
“National Energy Appreciation Day is long overdue. From the electricity that lights our homes to the fuel that propels us forward, affordable and reliable energy makes nearly every aspect of modern life possible. Those who work tirelessly to harness that energy deserve our thanks as well,” said Thomas J. Pyle, President, American Energy Alliance.
“Energy is the lifeblood of the economy. Relatively affordable and reliable energy serves as the foundation for everything Americans do, have, and have accomplished. A national day memorializing and celebrating the role energy and America’s energy producers have played in making America’s high standard of living and expanded freedom possible is long overdue. I heartily endorse the declaration of a National Energy Appreciation Day,” said H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D., Director of the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy, Heartland Institute.
“Every day millions of Americans go to work so that we can have energy. From the power in our homes and cars to the strength of our economy and national security, American energy workers make it all possible, rain or shine, 7 days a week. The dignity of our mobility and agency, the very expressions of our God-given freedoms are made possible by the labor of American energy workers. I applaud Senator Lummis and the Independent Women’s Forum for convoking National Energy Appreciation Day, and join them in saluting the American energy workers who power our homes, power our freedoms, power our prosperity, and power the future,” said Daniel Turner, Founder and Executive Director, Power The Future and CEC Advisory Board Member.
“Energy makes literally everything made, grown, or moved on this planet possible. Those of us who enjoy the blessings of affordable, reliable energy everyday know that it is the essential ingredient that allows the modern world to exist and our families, neighborhoods, businesses, and nation to thrive. Setting aside one day to recognize this most important commodity is an excellent start,” said Micheal McKenna, President, MWR Strategies and CEC Advisory Board Member.
“Everyone benefits from affordable energy, most of all lower-income households. In fact, America’s fracking revolution has probably done more to help struggling families than any government welfare program. That is why it is so important to recognize the value of America’s abundance of coal, oil, natural gas as well as other energy sources, and to continue the fight against foolish policies to block their production and use,” said Donna Jackson, Director of Membership Development, Project 21 and a CEC Advisory Board Member.
More information on IWF’s Center for Energy and Conservation:
IWF’s Center for Energy and Conservation is dedicated to reshaping the conversation about American energy. By educating the public about the benefits of modern energy, the CEC connects the role our energy industry plays in successful environmental outcomes and a better, more prosperous way of life for healthy communities.
Learn more about IWF’s Center for Energy and Conservation here.