Energy & Environment

Access to sustainable, reliable, affordable energy is fundamental to U.S. national and economic security. Business Roundtable supports policies that build on America’s strengths to provide reliable energy supplies while addressing climate change and maintaining a healthy environment.

The war in Ukraine highlighted the energy, economic, national security and climate risks associated with the exposure of global energy markets to bad actors. The global energy challenges before us will not be solved swiftly or easily.

Business Roundtable members believe a comprehensive short- and long-term energy strategy is needed to mitigate energy supply disruptions in the United States and abroad and ensure the transition to cleaner energy is coupled with affordable and reliable resource adequacy.

ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE

We recognize the real and growing threat of climate change and believe that America’s business leaders have an obligation to contribute to an environmentally responsible future. Because the consequences of global warming for society and ecosystems are potentially serious and far-reaching, steps to address the risks of such warming are prudent even now, while the science continues to evolve. Business Roundtable supports collective actions that will lead to the coordinated efforts to address the risks of climate change. 

Business Roundtable CEOs are embracing environmentally sustainable practices across their businesses including investments in green buildings and “green bonds”, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants, diversifying into natural gas and renewable sources of energy and recycling at greater rates.

Across every sector, leading corporations are reinvesting in local communities. U.S. businesses are committing to long-term sustainability goals and deploying comprehensive strategies to meet them.

Through a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, a focus on renewing America’s energy infrastructure for both traditional and renewable resources, and support for regulations that balance environmental and economic needs, Business Roundtable is dedicated to unlocking our nation’s energy potential in a manner that benefits all Americans. Elevating energy efficiency and environmental responsibility is not only good for the planet, it’s good for business and our nation’s economy.

Business Roundtable CEOs are embracing environmentally sustainable practices across their businesses. Retailers are investing in green buildings, fuel-efficient vehicles, and more efficient supply chains. Electric utilities are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants by generating more electricity from natural gas and renewable resources, while reducing reliance on coal. Oil companies are diversifying into natural gas and renewable sources of energy. Financial companies and investors are increasing interest and investments in renewable energy projects and “green bonds.” Manufacturers are increasing energy efficiency, recycling at greater rates, and developing more renewable sources of raw materials. Across every sector, leading corporations are reinvesting in local communities.

ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

Like other forms of infrastructure, America’s energy infrastructure is a key driver of job creation, growth and competitiveness throughout the economy. Maintaining a modern, flexible and secure network of electric power transmission and distribution lines, oil and natural gas pipelines, and storage facilities is essential to delivering affordable and reliable energy to U.S. businesses and consumers, promoting growth across all sectors of the economy, and supporting the country’s thriving domestic energy industry.

Unlike other forms of public infrastructure, American energy infrastructure is largely privately owned, operated and financed. The major obstacle for transportation infrastructure renewal — funding — is not a significant problem for energy infrastructure. Until quite recently in fact, privately financed U.S. energy infrastructure renewal has been an American success story. However, technology and policy drivers are rapidly changing the way energy is produced and consumed in the United States, requiring a faster pace of investment and modernization.

Currently, the regulatory framework and permitting systems that surround the energy sector were designed for another age, locking in a pace of infrastructure modernization and expansion that is out of step with the energy sector’s rapidly changing needs. Congress and the Administration have a unique opportunity to accelerate investments in energy infrastructure by updating regulations, establishing strong investment incentives and streamlining permitting processes — ultimately putting more private-sector capital to work for America’s farms, factories and households.

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