Washington, D.C.—Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) welcomes the introduction of the Ohio Senate’s Concurrent Resolution 14 by state Senator Frank Hoagland, which calls on Congress and President Trump to counter the actions of OPEC in the international oil market.

SAFE President and CEO Robbie Diamond said, “Ohio’s energy industry is a case study on what happens to states when OPEC’s outsized influence on global oil markets is left unchecked. This unfree market leaves U.S. companies at risk to the decisions made by OPEC and other petrostates that don’t share our belief in a fair, competitive and transparent market.”

This resolution calls for the passage of H.R. 545, the United States Commission on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Act. SCR 14 calls for congressional action to counter the impacts of OPEC, will establish a panel to understand OPEC’s effects on American economic and security interests, and which will subsequently propose a range of concrete policy responses.

“OPEC’s actions are a driver of oil price volatility. Now is the time to support long-term policies that will reduce our reliance on these countries, and focus on supporting domestic supply while making strides to provide fuel choice and fuel efficiency here at home,” Diamond said. “SAFE urges the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives to promptly consider and pass SCR 14 this year to send a timely and important message to Washington, D.C. on this critical energy issue,” Diamond said. “We thank Senator Frank Hoagland for his leadership on this issue and his introduction of this resolution,” Diamond concluded.

About Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE)

Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) is an action-oriented, nonpartisan organization that aims to reduce America’s dependence on oil. Near-total dependence on petroleum in the transportation sector undermines the nation’s economic and national security, and constrains U.S. foreign policy. To combat these threats, SAFE advocates for expanded domestic production of U.S. oil and gas resources, continued improvements in vehicle fuel efficiency, and the advancement of alternative fuels in the transportation sector including electric vehicles and natural gas trucks. In 2006, SAFE joined with General P.X. Kelley (Ret.), 28th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, and Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO of FedEx Corporation, to form the Energy Security Leadership Council (ESLC), a group of business and former military leaders committed to reducing the United States’ dependence on oil.

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