Ads link clean energy and the outdoor industry with more economic growth, jobs
WASHINGTON (April 21, 2021) – E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs) launched a $50,000 ad campaign in Colorado and New Mexico this week criticizing federal leasing of Western public lands to oil and gas producers for delaying economic growth and deterring investments that could go to clean energy in favor of speculative drilling leases. The campaign comes after President Biden’s recent moratorium on new leases.
Specifically, the ads highlight that clean energy and the outdoor industry employ more than the states’ oil and gas industry based on recent jobs data, including E2’s Clean Jobs America. The campaign also blames the oil and gas industry’s speculative leasing practices that have resulted in a 10-year cushion of unused leases and drilling permits on federal lands.
The digital videos—running on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram— link the growth of clean energy and outdoor industry jobs to public lands and make the case that leasing Western public lands to oil and gas producers is not only delaying economic growth but is unnecessary and counterproductive. Clean energy and outdoor industries now employ millions more than oil and gas across all 11 western states.
“Clean energy and outdoor recreation jobs are driving prosperity and will continue to grow the economies in Colorado and New Mexico – not oil and gas,” says Susan Nedell, E2’s Mountain West Advocate. “These states are already innovating, and it’s time to recognize the possibility of a clean energy future.”
The ads – which direct viewers to nmjobs.e2.org and cojobs.e2.org – are viewable on YouTube below.
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Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national, nonpartisan group of business leaders, investors, and professionals from every sector of the economy who advocate for smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment. Our members have founded or funded more than 2,500 companies, created more than 600,000 jobs, and manage more than $100 billion in venture and private equity capital. For more information, see www.e2.org or follow us on Twitter at @e2org.