Article from February 2020

PHOTO CREDIT: © ISTOCK. COM / SASACVETKORIC33

By API President and CEO Mike Sommers

Mike Sommers, president and chief executive officer of the American Petroleum Institute, delivered remarks on the institute’ s report,“ The State of American Energy 2020” on Jan. 7 at The Anthem, an auditorium in Washington, D. C.

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to the 2020 State of American Energy at the Anthem.

This is quite a different venue from the Reagan Building downtown where we held the previous State of American Energy events. Being here on stage – on the very Mike Sommers spot where Bob Dylan has played – gives this event a whole different feel.

Like the best musicians, Americans embrace independence. You see it when we visit our polling places, when we celebrate our freedoms, and now – at long last – when we get our energy right here at home.

Reducing our nation’ s dependence on foreign energy was the stated goal of every one of our last seven Presidents – Democrat and Republican. These leaders all understood that clean, affordable, and reliable American energy served both as the basis of economic growth here at home and security abroad. Now, finally, the United States has achieved this bipartisan goal.

The State of American Energy in 2020 is one of leadership. America is the global leader in energy development, carbon emissions reductions, and environmental performance. So today, I’ m here to talk about three things: How America’ s energy revolution has benefited Americans and the communities we live in. The risks of climate change and how our industry of problem solvers is meeting the challenge. And finally, the choice that is ahead of us and the repercussions if we choose the wrong path.

10 RETIREMENT / JUNE 2026 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www. fueloilnews. com