Austin News

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has joined more than 180 national leaders in signing the Declaration of Energy Independence, according to a news release issued by The Empowerment Alliance (TEA).

The declaration has been signed by three governors, 16 U.S. representatives, 15 state attorneys general, more than 20 political candidates and more than 50 local state officials, TEA reported.

The purpose of the declaration is for the United States to become energy-independent via affordable, clean energy.

"Texas leads the nation in the production of clean, low-cost natural gas that is helping to power America's energy revolution," Abbott said in the news release. "I am proud to sign The Empowerment Alliance's Declaration of Energy Independence and look forward to Texas leading the way for an energy-independent United States."

The declaration also strives for an abundance of energy for Americans in the future, noting in the release that it hopes to have a continuous 100-year supply of natural gas with the potential for more.

"Recent news that the Atlantic Coast Pipeline has been scrapped is a reminder of what is at stake if we fail to capitalize on our domestic energy advantage,” Jim Nathanson, executive director for TEA, said in the release. “The fact that our movement is growing shows that people understand the risk of squandering our once-in-a lifetime opportunity to jumpstart the American economy and strengthen our national security through low-cost, abundant, domestic natural energy.”

Nathanson also said that the campaign launched after TEA witnessed other special interest groups promoting opposing energy ideas that the agency feels will threaten the country's national security, according to TEA.

Other Texans who have signed the declaration include U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), as well as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. House Rep. Louis Gohmert (R-Texas), according to TEA's website.