America’s Energy Future Includes Fracking

Mark Green
Posted September 18, 2024

Given the way hydraulic fracturing – or fracking – keeps generating discussion on the campaign trail, let’s follow up this recent post on the importance of fracking to America’s economy and energy security with some additional points. 

First, the fact both presidential candidates agree that fracking is critical to the country’s future – underscored at last week’s debate in Philadelphia – is excellent news for America.  

Fracking is the heart of America’s energy advantage built on oil and natural gas. Fracking unlocks resources that previously were trapped in shale and other tight-rock formations. About 90% of the country’s energy extraction is powered by fracking. API President and CEO Mike Sommers described fracking’s relevance to the ongoing presidential contest like this:  

“You can’t get elected president of the United States unless you are for the continued development and continued use of this technology.” 

A week after the presidential debate, specific energy policy questions linger, and we posed a few here. Lingering also are the negative impacts of bad energy policies. So, when it is correctly pointed out that a president can’t ban fracking, Americans must realize that there are many ways a president can restrict it, weakening American energy leadership.  

Unfortunately, that’s not pure speculation. It’s recent history. 

Amanda Eversole, API executive vice president and chief advocacy officer, in a recent interview (emphasis added): 

“[T]he bigger story is, from the point of production all the way through to the point of use – at every part of that [oil and natural gas] value chain, this administration has thrown sand in the gears. … We have to separate election-year political rhetoric from substantive politics. While we've heard rhetoric, it's time for substance and policy.” 

To Eversole’s point, the Biden administration has not been a friend to fracking or the domestic oil and natural gas development that fracking makes possible. While the administration claims credit for record oil production on its watch, much of it has occurred thanks to investments made under previous government policies, plus industry innovation. As Eversole said, this administration actually has stood in the way of efforts to ensure that America will have the oil and natural gas it needs in the future: 

Inconsistent onshore lease sales: Want to restrict fracking? Don’t hold federal onshore lease sales. The administration held just one in its first seven quarters (2021-2022). 

LNG export permitting freeze: Another way to restrict fracking is to restrict end uses for American natural gas. The administration’s pause on new and pending liquefied natural gas export permitting is an example. (Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that Canada and Mexico are positioning to fill a potential supply void left by the U.S. LNG freeze.) 

Restrict consumer vehicle choice: Similarly, fracking can be restricted by targeting end uses of American oil – such as EPA’s tailpipe emissions rule, a de facto ban on new gasoline- and diesel-fueled cars and trucks, and higher fuel economy standards that are designed to drive Americans toward buying electric vehicles. 

Those are just a few examples. Hence, the energy policy questions both candidates should address. American voters deserve to know their specific plans to strengthen U.S. energy leadership in the years ahead.  

API’s Five-Point Policy Roadmap charts the sensible energy path forward, including the right policies from Washington – and fracking.