An Energy Policy Plan for America’s Presidential Candidates

Mark Green
Posted July 26, 2024

With the presidential field apparently set, voters want to know where the candidates stand on energy, U.S. energy security and America’s global energy leadership.

Democrats have their convention in Chicago starting Aug. 19, though there’s every indication Vice President Kamala Harris has consolidated the support she needs to replace President Biden as the party’s nominee. Former President Trump is the Republican nominee.

No matter how the campaign unfolds or who wins in November, API is for sound energy policy. As API President and CEO Mike Sommers said recently:

“With demand for affordable, reliable energy rising here in the U.S. and around the world, the oil and natural gas industry stands ready to work with any administration to advance a policy agenda that helps secure America's energy future and reduce inflation."

Energy policy will be on the ballot this fall, and American voters deserve meaningful answers from all candidates about how to drive production of affordable and reliable natural gas and oil for decades to come.

API has offered a clear and beneficial energy plan for all candidates – a five-point policy roadmap to strengthen American energy leadership and help reduce inflation. You can see the details here and here, but the plan’s pillars are:

Protecting Consumer Choice – The Biden administration is using regulation – EPA’s tailpipe emissions rule and new fuel-economy standards – to force automakers to produce more electric vehicles and push Americans to buy them. Consumers – all of whom have different budget and family needs – deserve more freedom, not less, when it comes to deciding which vehicles they will buy and drive.

Restoring the Role of American Energy in Bolstering Our Geopolitical Strength – American liquefied natural gas (LNG) was a lifesaver for Europe when Russia invaded Ukraine and restricted natural gas supplies. LNG offers other countries an opportunity to reduce emissions from using other fuels – as the U.S. has done in its power sector. The U.S. Energy Department should lift the ongoing pause on new LNG permits and promptly approve pending export applications to support America’s status as the world’s top LNG supplier.

Leveraging Our Abundant Natural Resources – For today and the future, America must plan for robust production so that families and businesses have access to affordable, reliable energy – for transportation, home heating and cooking, and countless consumer products that are staples of modern life. Anchored by U.S. oil and natural gas, strong domestic energy production also helps control energy-related costs for Americans, even as inflation has greater impacts on the costs of food, health care, education and other necessities.

Fixing Our Broken Permitting System – America needs to be able to build critical energy infrastructure of all kinds, not just oil and natural gas projects. But this is being impeded by a federal permitting process that can take years to complete. Comprehensive reform, such as the proposals in new bipartisan Senate legislation introduced this week, is needed.

Advancing Sensible Tax Policy – America’s oil and natural gas industry supports 11 million jobs and drives billions in investment that boosts the nation’s economy. U.S. tax policy must be made competitive with policies of other nations, because capital flows to where it is most welcome. And investment in American industries is vital to a strong, diversified economy, helping to sustain the jobs, economic growth, and tax revenues that support our states and communities.

API’s roadmap is a practical, sensible, workable path forward on American energy, which should be treated as a national, strategic asset and foundational to our country’s economy and security. 

API President and CEO Mike Sommers:

“As the world’s largest producer of oil and natural gas, America brings stability in a time of chaos, making our industry the envy of the world. This critical framework highlights our commitment to maintaining America’s energy advantage for decades to come.”

As the election season kicks into high gear, we look forward to an important national conversation about energy.