electing to meet America's energy challenges

November 12, 2008

Last week’s elections marked the beginning of a new chapter in our nation’s history. Americans cast their vote in record numbers, demonstrating their keen interest and active involvement in the critical policy debates and decisions of our time. In choosing new leaders, they broke old barriers, and again showed the world the power and promise of our democracy.

As the campaign made clear, the new administration, the new Congress, and all Americans face important challenges in the months and years ahead. Many of these relate to energy. Both major U.S. political parties ranked energy policy as a top priority. And although fuel prices have subsided significantly, ensuring reliable and affordable energy supplies to power our economy and safeguard our energy security while preserving our environment remains a critical policy challenge.

To meet this challenge, far-sighted leadership is required from our government and from the energy industry. Americans must work together to meet our energy needs not just for the next four years, but for the next 40 years, and beyond. We will need massive, long-term investments — in energy production, technology, infrastructure and the education of the next generation of scientists and engineers. Together we must pursue an integrated set of solutions that will allow us to draw upon all the resources and capabilities we as a nation can marshal. ExxonMobil is ready, willing and able to do its part.

Two years ago, the Secretary of Energy requested a comprehensive study from the National Petroleum Council (NPC), an advisory body created by President Truman. The study drew upon the views of 350 diverse participants and organizations, including environmental and civic groups. It is a detailed roadmap of the actions needed to secure America’s energy future.

One of the NPC’s key conclusions was that “expansion of all economic energy sources will be required.” This includes more oil and natural gas, as well as nuclear energy, renewable fuels and other alternatives. Both presidential candidates indicated their support for such an approach during the campaign, and both supported the development of America’s oil and natural gas resources.

The NPC’s recommendations offer common ground for a bipartisan approach to strengthen U.S. energy security, create new jobs, re-energize the economy, and contribute significant revenues to state and federal budgets.

ExxonMobil is confident that Americans, working together, can achieve a secure, affordable and environmentally responsible energy future for our nation. We congratulate the men and women who have been elected to serve and who will play a vital role in addressing the energy challenges — and opportunities — ahead.