Lakes Charles Channel 7 – Louisiana is the Answer to Energy Crisis

8/13/08

Lake Charles is the only confirmed Louisiana stop on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 12-state Vote For Business Bandwagon Tour. The drive registers voters and supports pro-business candidates and legislation as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's initiative to educate voters and focus on the issues which matter most to business communities across the nation.

Since 1990, electricity demand has risen about 25 percent while construction of transmission lines has fallen roughly 30 percent.

"The demand for energy is growing, the demand is actually growing by 30% in the U.S.and by 50% around the world, and the demand for electricity is actually growing by 100%, so we have a growing national crisis and a growing global problem," said Karen Harbert, Executive Vice President and

Managing Director of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy.  But, she said, many people don't know half the battle is being won right here in our own backyards.

"Louisiana is very important for the nation's energy security, it transports 30% of the country's oil, 35% of it's gas, 50% of the refining capacity is here, it holds two of our four strategic petroleum reserves," she added.

Harbert explained to the business people in attendance how important Louisiana is to solving the global problem.

"This is a living breathing example of how you can use natural resources here in an environmentally responsible way," she said.

Harbert was joined at the SWLA Chamber of Commerce by national commerce members like J.P. Fielder, who's traveling the country on the "Vote for Business" Bandwagon in hopes of educating voters on the issues important to the business community.

"We want to discuss with them energy issues and infrastructure issues, we believe these are issues that the government can act on that can create jobs within this community," said Fielder.

This tour bus has become a home on wheels for the "Commerce Traveler." It offers equipment for visitors to come aboard, register to vote, and even check out the Representatives from their area and see how they voted.

Ultimately, Fielder said he wants SWLA to know how important we are to the big picture.

"30% of America's energy sources come from just off the shores of Lake Charles here, and these are ways that Lake Charles is a part of helping the broader American community."

But, how do we help ourselves?

According to Fielder, his traveling campaign says it all... "Vote!"

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