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Florida Needs Natural Gas

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By NANCY STEPHENS Special to the Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 11, 2008

As energy prices soar and cause good jobs to leave our state and country for places where energy is affordable, Congress will soon consider whether to modify outdated and damaging prohibitions on domestic energy production.

The Florida congressional delegation will have the opportunity to vote in favor of Florida and American jobs and more affordable energy by supporting legislation to increase access to America's own energy supplies.

The business of chemistry, like many manufacturing industries, uses natural gas to heat and power our facilities. We also use it as a vital raw material. The fact that U.S. natural gas prices have skyrocketed 460 percent since 2000 has hit our sector hard. We've lost nearly 120,000 well-paying jobs nationwide, and in 10 years we've gone from a $19 billion U.S. chemistry trade surplus to becoming a net importer of chemicals. The United States cannot afford this kind of harm to its global competitiveness.

To help reduce energy prices, improve energy security and job security, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, America needs greater access to domestic energy supplies - especially natural gas. We strongly urge our delegation to do the right thing, cast a pro-jobs vote and support energy exploration and development here at home.

Nancy Stephens is executive director of the Florida Minerals and Chemistry Council.

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