GILLETTE, Wyo. — Wyoming’s U.S. senators want to designate Oct. 4 as National Energy Appreciation Day to recognize people who work in the energy industry.
U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, both Republicans, led senators Jim Risch, R-ID; Mike Crapo, R-ID; Pete Ricketts, R-NE; Bill Cassidy, R-LA; John Hoeven, R-ND; Dan Sullivan, R-AK; James Lankford, R-OK; Ted Cruz, R-TX; Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV; and Kevin Cramer, R-ND, in a resolution to celebrate the day in that way.
“Every single day Wyoming energy producers work tirelessly to power our nation, and I am introducing this resolution to show the energy industry how much I appreciate everything they do to make our country a better place,” Lummis said in a news release. “As this administration continues to put our domestic energy producers on the backburner with its war on American energy, it is essential that we pause to recognize and celebrate their invaluable contributions to our daily lives that we so often take for granted.”
According to the release, the U.S. energy industry accounts for more than seven million jobs and supports more than 10 million jobs domestically. It helps keep energy affordable, reliable and efficient while supporting economic growth. Advancements in technology have reduced emissions, and increased access to energy has lengthened life expectancy and reduced poverty. Federal oil and natural gas leases for offshore development brought in more than $22 billion for the federal government in 2022, and the U.S. oil and natural gas industry generates nearly $1.8 billion in gross domestic product annually.
October is National Clean Energy Action Month, according to the U.S. EPA, and another national coalition is celebrating Oct. 4 this year as the seventh annual Energy Efficiency Day. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Advanced Energy United, Alliance to Save Energy, Natural Resources Defense Council, the Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations are among the organizations that participate, according to the organization’s website.
