What They Are Saying about Senator Tim Scott’s #SEAJobsAct

Since Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) announced the third piece of his Opportunity Agenda – the Southern Energy Access Jobs Act (SEA Jobs Act) – earlier this month, key national and South Carolina organizations have come out in support of passage of the bill. “The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce applauds Senator Tim Scott’s efforts to grow South Carolina and the national economy through the Southern Energy Access Jobs Act. Responsible offshore energy production would be a huge benefit to the state’s economy, create more than 35,000 jobs for South Carolinians and reduce energy prices. Additionally, revenue sharing among the states would make available substantial long-term funding that could be used for infrastructure. Senator Scott’s plan also establishes a veteran’s workforce training program, using revenues from Atlantic offshore energy production to fund employment training that supports oil and natural gas production, which provides opportunities for some of our most well trained and deserving populations.”                               - South Carolina Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Otis Rawl “As a retired flag officer with the United States Navy, I've seen firsthand the needs of our veterans as they return home from service and the challenges of acquiring gainful employment. I would like to thank Senator Tim Scott for introducing the Southern Energy Access Jobs Act (SEA Jobs Act), which would establish a veterans workforce training program using revenues from Atlantic offshore energy production. This job creating legislation would provide an opportunity for coastal Atlantic states, including South Carolina, to explore energy production and further diversify our economy. A greater supply of domestically produced fuel will strengthen America’s energy independence and make us less dependent on energy from unfriendly nations and unstable regions of the world. I believe this legislation will be well received by veterans in South Carolina.”                               - Vets4Energy SC Chairman Rear Admiral William Schachte, USN (Retired) “On behalf of Palmetto AgriBusiness Council, I would like to thank Senator Scott for introducing the Southern Energy Access Jobs Act (SEA Jobs Act). This bill would provide an opportunity for offshore Atlantic states, including South Carolina, to explore energy production. A greater supply of domestically produced fuel will strengthen America’s energy security and lower energy costs. For South Carolina’s agribusiness – food harvesting, production and transportation are heavily dependent on energy. We must find solutions to surging energy costs that have the potential of putting us out of business at the expense of consumers. Our ability to continue to provide a safe, affordable food supply is dependent upon securing America’s energy independence. “                                 - Palmetto AgriBusiness Council Executive Director Cathy Novinger “We support Sen. Scott’s efforts to expand energy production in the South Atlantic region. America needs energy independence and this proposed legislation is a big step in the right direction. We’re especially appreciative of Sen. Scott’s commitment to protecting our coastline and the region’s tourism industry. By ensuring offshore drilling is done safely and efficiently, and granting state governments the authority to control permanent placement of infrastructure, we can balance the needs of our coastal communities with economic growth. The SEA Jobs Act will spur job creation and domestic energy production while providing adequate protection for our environment.”                               - Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Brad Dean “On behalf of the American Petroleum Institute, I would like to thank you for promoting new access to our nation’s untapped oil and natural gas resources off the coast of the south Atlantic with the introduction of your bill, S. 2202, the Southern Energy Access Jobs Act. Americans by and large support the United States unlocking more of its offshore energy resources, and your pro-supply legislation provides a path forward to help open up the potentially vast oil and natural gas resources in the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).”                               - American Petroleum Institute Upstream and Industry Operations Director Erik Milito “Senator Tim Scott's push to cut the through the Administration's red tape by opening the 'South Atlantic' to oil and gas production is a giant leap in the right direction. The bill also provides a base for discussions concerning the use of revenue generated from offshore oil and natural gas leasing, but the horse pulling that cart is access. Without additional access to offshore lands, there is no revenue.”                               - National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi “Realization of Senator Tim Scott's SEA Jobs Act will do more to spur the sluggish economic recovery along the eastern coast of the United States than any other initiative proposed. It affords thousands of high paying jobs to support an American energy market that we have, too long, ceded to nations that take our cash but have little interest in our well-being. By bringing together energy independence and job creation, while granting local control of near-shore exploration and production for the safeguarding of our significant beach-based tourism industry, Senator Scott's SEA Jobs Act will profoundly reshape, for the better, the economies of South Carolina and her sister coastal states.”                               - South Carolina State Representative Alan Clemmons “South Carolina’s small-business community supports Senator Scott’s efforts to expand energy production in the South Atlantic. Our members tell us that the cost of energy is one of the biggest challenges facing them, after the cost of health insurance and uncertainty over the direction of the economy. Small businesses desperately need affordable energy, but time and again the Obama administration has issued rules that do little besides drive up costs and create uncertainty. The National Federation of Independent Business is committed to policies and legislation that expand the U.S. energy market, and Senator Scott’s bill is a big step in the right direction.”                               - South Carolina National Federation of Independent Business State Director Ben Homeyer “We’ve seen an explosion of new jobs and economic growth in states that are responsibly developing their own energy resources.  The SEA Jobs Act would unleash that kind of common sense energy production right here in the Palmetto State.  We commend Senator Scott’s vision to grow opportunity for South Carolina workers, lower energy costs for families and build energy independence for America.”                               - Palmetto Policy Forum President & CEO Ellen Weaver ###