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Flowers, Residents Join Policymakers at D.C. "Energy Jobs Matter" Press Conference

August 2, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC - Mississippi State Senator Merle Flowers (R-Olive Branch) and other Mississippians will join U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex), former congressman John Peterson (R-Penn) and more than 50 Gulf Coast area residents for a press event on the U.S. Capitol grounds on Wednesday, Aug. 4, to remind policymakers that the energy sector is critical to the overall economic health and energy security of America. 

The event is organized by Save U.S. Energy Jobs  www.saveusenergyjobs.com , a project of the American  www.americanenergyalliance.org  Energy Alliance.

"Energy jobs matter," Flowers said.  "I'm going to Washington this week to talk with Senators Cochran and Wicker to discuss the dangers to Mississippi of a continued drilling moratorium and energy tax increases. I'm proud to stand with Senator Cornyn and Congressman Peterson to fight to protect our energy jobs and security."

Senator Flowers will be joined other state elected officials from across the country who understand the energy industry creates jobs for Mississippi and Gulf Coast states. 

According to a recent study released by Louisiana State University professor Dr.

Joseph Mason, the six-month moratorium will cost the Gulf region more than

8,000 jobs and more than $2.1 billion in economic activity. 

In addition to the current moratorium, President Obama and Members of Congress have not ruled out an extended moratorium and have suggested repealing two provisions of the tax code to raise taxes on U.S. based energy companies.  The Obama Administration is also considering raising the cap on liabilities for energy companies. 

Any of these new laws would kill U.S. jobs, raise energy prices for consumers, weaken our nation's energy security, and do irreparable harm to U.S. energy companies.

Who:                U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex)

                        Former Congressman John Peterson (R-Penn)

                        Mississippi State Senator Merle Flowers (R-Olive Branch)

                        Mississippi State Senator Chris McDaniel (R-Ellisville)

                        Mississippi State Senator Michael Watson (R-Pascagoula)

                        Mississippi State Senator Lee Yancey (R-Brandon)

                        Jackson County Supervisor Manly Barton (R-Pascagoula)

What:               Press Conference to tell policymakers that "Energy Jobs Matter"

 When:               Wednesday, August 4, 2010

                        10:00 a.m.

 Where:              West Front of the U.S. Capitol