To hear Hollywood tell it, folks out in rural America who are presented with an opportunity to develop their mineral rights and produce clean-burning natural gas for the country have a tough choice on their hands: Don't do it, and you ruin your economy. Do it, and you ruin your environment.

But out in the "Real" Promised Land, everyone knows that's a false choice. That's because these folks have seen firsthand how responsible development has improved their lives and strengthened their communities - all without sacrificing the quality of their air, water or land in the process.

On this site, you won't find any actors, scripts or manufactured storylines. What you will find here is real people, with real stories, about how development has impacted them and their families. These aren't stories you're likely to see out at the movies. But we think they're pretty remarkable, just the same.

http://www.realpromisedland.org

This is an important chance for you, the citizens of Iowa, to send your message to national candidates about American energy. The message is simple: We want leaders that recognize the importance of developing American energy resources which lead to more jobs as well as more state and local revenues.

Recognizing that all energy sources are important, we need to see what the candidates think and whether they support our state’s and our country’s needs.

Therefore, it is critically important for all citizens to be involved in the political process - to make your voices heard - because it is those we elect that will decide how American resources will best be utilized to secure our nation's energy and economic future.

The time is now!  Get involved and let the politicians hear your voice.

Don’t let political parlor games hurt our country’s future!

It’s clear our nation will need oil and gas for decades to come; we must also consider a wide range of alternative energy sources as we move towards a more energy-secure nation.

You and your neighbors need to be involved in the political process to help make sure energy does become a-red hot issue in the 2012 presidential election! 

Politicians are the ones who decide where to drill and what parts of the ocean are to be utilized for our future needs. They  must hear our voices and recognize that energy security is one of the top issues we face going forward. 

So, let your voice be heard: Go to events like the August 13th Straw Poll in Ames, and tell the politicians comprehensive energy policies are critical to our nation's future.

Don’t let energy get pushed to the back of the political agenda.

The Iowa Energy Forum

As President Kennedy noted nearly 50 years ago, the United States and Canada have a long and storied relationship,   This  solid relationship has helped both nations economically, particularly in recent years as trade has grown.  

And it is a relationship that can aid Hoosiers as we aim to acquire cheaper energy from friendlier sources.

Canada is the second largest country by land mass in the world.  Its border with the United States is the longest border in the world.  This border has been almost entirely peaceful for nearly 200 years, since the end of the War of 1812.  Even since the September 11 attacks in 2001, border relations have remained strong.  In fact, there has been a greater sharing of intelligence between the two countries to combat terrorism here and abroad.

The United States and Canada are each other’s chief economic partners.  Both nations benefit from large volumes of tourism and migration.  The North American Free Trade Agreement signed in 1994 has merged the two economies and has greatly benefited their mutual relations.

This dynamic becomes even more impressive when you explore the relationship between Indiana and Canada.  A 2007 study commissioned by the Canadian Embassy, determined  Iowa has over 87,000 jobs as a result of friendly relations with its neighbor to the north. And the benefits don’t end with jobs.  Iowa exports nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods to Canada annually.   

Source: Consulate General of Canada

Canada supplies the United States with more oil than any other nation.  It’s possible for the United States to acquire even more energy from Canada with greater development of the Canadian oil sands in Alberta.  This development could translate to greater energy security and lower energy input costs for businesses across the state.

The Energy Forum Team
 
Read more:

• Canada’s Trade Relationship with Iowa

American energy companies are exploring new technologies to develop and find energy resources with the goal of increasing our energy independence.  The oil and natural gas industry directly employs more than 2 million people in America, and an additional 7 million people indirectly through supporting industries.  

The ban on off-shore drilling implemented after the BP oil spill last summer hinders development and increases American dependency on foreign oil.  Instead America should be investing in its own energy resources because when America invests in energy it invests in its own future security. 

Even before the crises in Egypt, Libya and other parts of the Middle East occurred, analysts predicted energy prices in 2011 would rise.  Oil is expected to be $14/barrel higher than its 2010 average, and gas is estimated to cost at least 39 cents more per gallon than in 2010.  Increasing American access to domestic oil or to oil from friendly nations would help decrease these costs. 

Studies show the United States will need oil and natural gas through 2030.  While we import more oil from Canada than from any other country, increasing America’s own energy resources and its ability to access energy from friendly countries will only improve our energy situation. 

Energy accessibility doesn’t just help your local gas station or the big oil companies.  Instead it affects everyone.  All sectors of the economy are touched by energy - agriculture, education, health, transportation and sales just to name a few - and the more affordable it is, the stronger the American economy will be.

The Energy Forum Team.