Washington, D.C.­—Following President Trump’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly meeting, which referenced OPEC’s influence on oil prices and U.S. energy security, Securing America’s Future Energy (SAFE) President and CEO Robbie Diamond made the following statement:

“President Trump has repeatedly expressed his concern with OPEC’s pernicious influence on oil prices and the U.S. economy. Indeed, even as U.S. domestic oil production reaches a record high, climbing oil prices illustrate the fact that we cannot drill our way out of this problem—we must maintain and strengthen demand-side policies to achieve U.S. energy security. As we speak, the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency are listening to the public in Dearborn, Michigan on their proposal to freeze fuel economy standards. We urge the agencies to strike a compromise that maintains one national program, advances efficiency, and unleashes innovation. Doing so will go a long way to protecting American consumers and businesses from OPEC’s behavior and oil price volatility.”

About Securing America’s Future Energy

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 transportation sector innovations including electric vehicles, natural gas trucks, and autonomous vehicles. 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. Today, the ESLC is co-chaired by Frederick W. Smith and General James T. Conway (Ret), 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.
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