Energy industry needs our support

Dear Editor,

We need to support our energy industry if we are going to pull our state’s economy out of the doldrums of the recession, the oil spill and the moratorium on drilling.

Yet we still hear calls from the administration for increased taxes on this key industry.

As the owner of Oilfield CNC Machining in Broussard, I am just finally seeing things approach the level of stability for smaller energy businesses. But higher energy taxes could quickly change this slow improvement, leaving us unable to create jobs.

President Obama’s track record of calling for these higher energy taxes has been most disappointing. He wants to take away incentives for new energy production jobs that were part of a key jobs bill passed a few years ago. And he wants to double tax American energy companies on their foreign earnings, which would give a huge boost to foreign companies like China.

I know I will be listening closely to the State of the Union address to see whether our president realizes that the energy industry can be a key element in job creation and economic stimulus. It would be a 180-degree turnaround for this administration, but it would sure help our economy here in Louisiana.

I’m beginning to wonder if there is anyone — either our current president or one of the presidential candidates — who has a sound energy policy for our state and our country?

Thomas Clements

Owner, Oilfield CNC Machining

Broussard, La.