If there was any question about the critical importance of the oil and gas industry in this state, let’s set the record straight: if Colorado was ranked along with the top natural gas producing nations in the world, our state’s 2012 output would place us at 19th in the world, ahead of seven of the 12 OPEC nations. In fact, Colorado comes in just under Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, according to a new ranking by the American Petroleum Institute.
Not only is our output significant on a global scale, but the economic activity created by the industry in our state is irreplaceable as it supports 213,000 Colorado jobs and contributes more than $25 billion to Colorado’s economy. Even better, improving efficiencies and technology in the energy industry are saving families $1,200 per year, and it’s not because of solar panels and windmills.
Additionally, this might be an appropriate time to let you in on a little secret: since we have a maybe, maybe-not tree hugging governor, a U.S. Senator who carries water for the Sierra Club (we’re talking Bennet here, folks), and the National Renewable Energy Lab in our backyard, “clean energy” stories get decent traction in the local press. Let’s not be fooled. Just because Democrats want to pay their donors back with subsidies and favoritism towards green energy, doesn’t mean that it’s the only solution for Colorado. If some Democrats had their way, they would shut down the natural gas production equivalent of two Venezuelas.
Shutting down Venezuela’s energy production would inspire shocked headlines around the world. It’s funny that the equivalent doesn’t here in Colorado.