OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2016. Erin Roth, executive director of API’s Wisconsin Petroleum Council (WPC), urged all Americans to be engaged in the energy discussion as they consider candidates running for president. The next administration will play a critical role in shaping America’s 21st century energy renaissance, determining whether our nation will cement its position as a global energy leader.

“America’s 45th president will inherit a nation that is first in oil and natural gas production, first in refining ever-cleaner fuel and first in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Roth. “However, the gains we’ve made and our ability to sustain them depend largely on smart energy policies.

“The U.S. free-market energy model is working. American consumers are paying less to drive to work and heat their homes and our environment is getting cleaner all at the same time.”

The American Petroleum Institute’s Vote4Energy voter education campaign sponsored an event hosted by RealClear Politics at Milwaukee’s Athletic Club today. The debate preview event focused on deciphering current polling data, provided campaign insights, and discussed top policy issues that are impacting Wisconsin and the current presidential race.

“Our goal is to keep this positive momentum going and to end the politicization of energy for petty partisan ends,” said Roth. “We want to continue the national energy policy discussion with our Vote 4 Energy campaign. This campaign focuses on what unites us as a nation and seeks to drive a national energy discussion that’s focused on the facts and keeps what’s most important front and center: Energy development means more American jobs, a stronger U.S. economy and continued global energy leadership.”

The WPC is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 650 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy.