Washington, D.C. – Securing America’s Future Energy’s (SAFE) president and CEO, Robbie Diamond, today released the following statement on the Colorado state ballot initiative that would increase buffer zones between buildings and future oil and gas drilling from 500 feet to 2500 feet:

“SAFE believes that the Colorado initiative on the ballot this November is concerning and poorly conceived. Our nation has abundant oil and gas resources and it is important to allow for safe and efficient extraction for the betterment of our economic and national security,” Diamond said. “Increased domestic production allows the U.S. to reduce its oil imports and improves our competitiveness. This measure, if passed, could restrict future drilling on nearly 54 percent of the state’s land surface, not counting land controlled by the federal government that would not be impacted by this initiative. Should that happen, it would leave very little opportunity to increase the state’s energy production which would significantly impact the state’s economy, potentially risk thousands of energy jobs and reduce the progress our nation has made on energy security.”

In addition to improving access to domestic oil and gas resources, SAFE supports reducing U.S. oil dependence with comprehensive demand-side policies, such as modernized and strengthened fuel economy standards, and expanded deployment of advanced fuel vehicles to reduce oil’s monopoly in the transportation sector.

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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