John S. Watson Quotes

If you look around the world, the countries with the best environmental practices are the wealthiest. There’s a reason for that. If you’re worried about where your next meal is going to come from or shelter over your head, your focus is on those things.

The greatest advancements in living standards over the past century have been coincident with affordable energy.

The United States needs an energy policy that ensures America’s tax, trade, regulatory and access policies are transparent and predictable.

Actually, I’m a strong supporter of comprehensive tax reform.

Despite some struggles of our own, Americas business and economic system remains the envy of much of the world.

Every barrel of oil that we produce around the world benefits Americans because it keeps prices down. We can talk more later about American energy independence, but the facts are, every barrel we produce helps Americans because it keeps prices down.

Most of the well-developed world – Australia, Western Europe – they develop their resources base, they inventory it, they develop it, and they view it as a good source of jobs and revenue. We are a country that for too long has taken affordable energy for granted.

Price creates incentive, and energy will be developed if there’s demand for it at the price you can develop it.

Despite some struggles of our own, America’s business and economic system remains the envy of much of the world.

Chinese growth will either be strong or very strong. They have a voracious demand for energy that will only continue to grow. What they’re doing… is looking at all forms of energy. They’re going ahead very strongly with coal, nuclear, oil, natural gas.

I believe in free markets. I believe in free trade. I believe in creating the conditions that will allow that to happen. And if we do that, American companies are going to be pretty darn competitive.

For most of the countries I visit, getting affordable energy in the hands of the people is a preoccupation.

We’re going to need oil and gas and coal for a long time if America wants to keep the lights on.

What I see are people who want affordable energy. They want strong environmental standards – they want a lot of things – but first and foremost they want affordable energy. And if you want affordable energy, you want oil, gas and coal.