Cole Receives 2008 Friend of the Wildcatter Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) received the "2008 Friend of the Wildcatter" award from the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association (OIPA) for his service to Oklahoma’s natural gas and oil industries. Cole was recognized for voting consistently in the 110th Congress to protect oil and natural gas industry jobs in Oklahoma and calling for more domestic exploration and production.
“I'm honored to be recognized by Oklahoma's oil and gas industry,” said Congressman Tom Cole. “Our energy producers are working diligently to expand domestic production by utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and innovative research. I’m committed to supporting policies that expand our domestic production capacity - policies that will create jobs in Oklahoma and energy independence for America.”
OIPA is the state's largest oil and gas advocacy group, representing more than 1,700 member companies in the crude oil and natural gas exploration/production industry.
“Congressman Cole has been a loyal friend to the men and women working in Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas industry since voters first sent him to Congress,” said OIPA Chairman John Pilkington. “He understands the financial risks independent producers take each time they drill a well and their commitment to improving the communities in which they operate and live. Most importantly, the Congressman understands that increased domestic oil and natural gas production is key to efforts to make America more energy secure.”
Cole serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, a position that allows him to weigh in on legislation that promotes domestic production of resources and call for reduced dependence on foreign oil imports. According to the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, the total economic output of Oklahoma’s oil and natural gas industry is estimated to be more than $23 billion. Roughly 60,000 Oklahomans work directly in energy related jobs with the industry supporting indirectly an additional 186,000 jobs.
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