Washington, D.C.—Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) commended the Ohio Senate for its unanimous 31-0 passage today of Senate Concurrent Resolution 14, which calls on President Trump and Congress to understand how the actions of OPEC and other petrostates impact America’s interests through the creation of an Energy Security Commission.

SAFE President and CEO Robbie Diamond said, “American energy producers are directly affected by the outsized influence that the OPEC cartel and its allies like Russia have on the global oil market, which do not share our belief in market transparency or free enterprise. The impact of their action on Ohio’s energy producers—such as in the 2014 oil price collapse, which was partially driven by OPEC behavior—serves as an example of what can happen if this influence is left unchecked.”

SCR 14, sponsored by Senator Frank Hoagland, calls for the passage of H.R. 545, the U.S. Commission on the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Act. This commission would help American policymakers understand OPEC’s impact by establishing a panel to assess OPEC’s effects on American economic and security interests, which will subsequently propose a range of policy responses. If Congress does not act, the resolution calls for a commission to be established through executive order.

Similarly, House Concurrent Resolution 16—identical to SCR 14—has recently been introduced by state Representative Andy Thompson, and is currently before the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

“We need to support long-term policies that will reduce our reliance on OPEC nations and other petrostates that engage in market manipulation, and focus on supporting domestic supply while making strides to increase fuel choice and fuel efficiency here at home,” Diamond said. “SAFE hopes the passage of SCR 14 will send a timely and important message to Washington, D.C. on this critical energy issue. We thank Senator Frank Hoagland for his leadership on this issue and this resolution.”

In addition to SAFE, the following organizations support SCR 14 and HCR 16:  the Columbus Partnership, the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, the Appalachia Chapter of the National Association of Royalty Owners, the Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, and the National Stripper Well Association.

Similar resolutions—SR 236 and HR 592—also initiated by SAFE to help protect our economic and national security interests, have been introduced in Pennsylvania and are now pending consideration.

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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