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The '''Consumer Energy Alliance''' is a nonprofit organization and a a [[front group]] for the energy industry that seeks opposes political efforts to advance regulate carbon standards while advancing deep water and land-based drilling for oil and methane gas. The CEA supports lifting moratoria on offshore and land-based oil and natural gas drilling, encourages the creation and expansion of petroleum refineries and easing the permitting process for drilling. The group also says it supports energy conservation. CEO portrays itself as seeking to ensure a "proper balance" between traditional non-renewable and extractive energy sources and alternative energy sources. The group also supports construction of the [[Keystone XL Pipeline].<ref> Consumer Energy Alliance [http://consumerenergyalliance.org/2011/11/cea-encouraged-by-passage-of-legislation-to-move-forward-keystone-xl-project/ CEA Encouraged by passaof of Legislation to Move Forward Keystone XL Project], news release posted on organizational website, undated, accessed December 19, 2011</ref><ref>Consumer Energy Alliance [http://consumerenergyalliance.org/2011/07/cea-applauds-passage-of-keystone-xl-legislation/ CEA Applaudes Passage of Keystone XL Legislation], news release, undated, accessed December 19, 2011</ref><ref>Consumer Energy Alliance [http://consumerenergyalliance.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/brochure_cea_01oct08.pdf Supporting Thoughtful Utilization and Development of Energy Resources] (pdf), organizational/promotional brochure, accessed December 19, 2011</ref>  According to Salon.com, which obtained over 300 emails of personal messages between lobbyists and Canadian officials, the CEA is part of a sophisticated public affairs strategy designed to manipulate the U.S. political system by deluging the media with messaging favorable to the tar-sands industry; to persuade key state and federal legislators to act in the extractive industries' favor; and to defeat any attempt to regulate the carbon emissions emanating from gasoline and diesel used by U.S. vehicles.<ref>Geoff Dembicki [http://www.salon.com/2011/12/15/big_oil_and_canada_thwarted_u_s_carbon_standards/singleton/ Big Oil and Canada Thwarted U.S. Carbon Standards], published article, December 15, 2011</ref>