Winter is Coming, Unleash Ohio’s Essential Energy
With lower temperatures hitting Ohio, rising energy bills are expected to follow. This comes as Ohioans are already struggling with rising costs of everyday products. However, we know energy should not be one of the resources Americans can’t afford. It’s time to unleash Ohio energy and allow all of America to become energy independent with our abundant, affordable resources.
A recent report from the United States Energy Information Administration announced that people will see electricity bills that are, on average, 8% HIGHER than last year. In Ohio, where nearly 7 OUT OF EVERY 10 homes are heated with natural gas, the cost of heating is expected to jump by NEARLY A THIRD this winter. We can point to an array of reasons for this price hike, from OPEC+ deciding to cut OIL PRODUCTION to the WAR in Ukraine, but the solution remains clear to Ohioans.
This year we commissioned a poll that showed 70% of Ohioans support natural gas and oil development in Ohio. In Ohio, we have been investing in oil and gas infrastructure for years to work towards becoming energy independent and avoid dependence on other parts of the world. In 2018, Ohio Governor Mike Dewine SAID, “…we have a great future and part of that future is brought about by what’s going on with regard to natural gas.” With around 95 billion dollars INVESTED in Ohio oil and natural gas since 2011, that statement has proven to be true. Ohio is now producing 29 times more NATURAL GAS than we were when drilling began on the Utica Shale in 2011. This is allowing Ohio to supply itself with energy and become a leader in many regards.
Ohio leaders also recognize that a diverse natural resource infrastructure is important to becoming more independent as a state. In CRUDE OIL production, Ohio is blessed with abundant natural resources. At a capacity of 603,000 barrels per day from 4 different refineries, Ohio is the 6th largest producer in the U.S. of refined crude oil products. The products from these refineries vary from motor gasoline to distillates, aviation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks, asphalt, and other byproducts. This works in favor of Ohio’s economy and allows the state to rely more on itself for oil and gas products. In fact, if Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania were a country, it would be the third largest producer of oil and natural gas in the whole world.
Ohio and its neighboring states are proving that with focused development and investment, energy independence is possible. At the same time Ohio is not immune to these rising energy costs that we will continue to see unless things change. It’s unfair to Ohioans to leave untapped resources under their feet while they struggle to pay bills this winter. Unleash Ohio’s energy.
