The Biden administration’s missteps over the past four years have brought nothing but disaster to American energy. Their misguided policies, a clear attempt at appeasing the green energy zealots, wreaked havoc on both production and development in our energy industry. As President Trump assumes his second term, he faces the daunting task of undoing the damage caused by the reckless environmental stance of his predecessor.
Joe Biden’s tendency to pander to an eco-radical minority, deluded by the dream of a premature ‘green energy transition’, had dramatic repercussions on the US citizens and economy. One of the most devastating blows was his 2024 moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, a catastrophic move disregarding the welfare of the American people and businesses.
The consequence of Biden’s moratorium was far-reaching, weakening our trade relations with Europe. These nations were working to break away from their dependence on Russian gas, and Biden’s move unexpectedly cut them off from US natural gas exports. This decision not only jeopardized our reputation internationally but also put critical financial resources at risk.
As if undermining our global alliances wasn’t enough, Biden’s administration kept busy tormenting the domestic populace as well. The EPA, under Biden’s steer, unleashed an offensive on the American consumer with the implementation of austere tailpipe emissions standards, a move that threatened consumer choice and drove up costs.
Biden’s ill-conceived crusade against American energy was far from over. As his tenure neared an end, he brandished a series of executive orders, setting his sights on domestic energy production once again. These orders halted offshore oil and gas leasing activities over more than 625 million acres, further crippling an already besieged industry.
Now, with a challenging task at hand, President Trump could turn the tables. His focus on revitalizing American energy promises to bring much-needed relief to citizens burdened by Biden’s foolhardy policies. Under Trump’s leadership, it is hoped that we can begin the journey of reclaiming our energy security through robust domestic production.
Despite being vilified in Biden’s tenure, our domestic energy sector must remain a priority as we wrestle with correcting the ill-thought-out decisions of the previous administration. Unfortunately, the damage inflicted upon the energy sector by misguided eco-activism continues to gain momentum.
In 2023, we saw the introduction of the ‘climate superfund’ purportedly designed to assist communities in adapting to climate change. These funds, however, swiftly morphed into an antagonist of American energy companies. They were culpably targeted and blamed disproportionately for a global issue involving many sectors and overseas participants.
The domino effect of these harmful climate superfund laws will be the stifling of innovation and hindrance to investment in the energy sector. This could inadvertently impede the progress of cleaner technologies that many in the industry are trying to pioneer. Ironically, these laws, meant to protect the environment, may hold back the development of environmentally friendly alternatives.
Moreover, these laws will have a direct impact on the consumer’s pocketbook as energy companies transfer the increased operational cost due to litigation and compliance onto them. As a result, American citizens will be forced to foot the bill for these poorly conceived regulations.
The vague parameters set by the climate superfund legislation on accountability for emissions prove another dangerous flaw. This lack of a clear-cut definition is likely to bring about unjust sanctions on companies, regardless of whether the emissions originated within the state or not.
The increasing support for such flawed bills in different states is alarming and poses a severe threat to America’s energy future. The magnified potential risk, should these become common across more states, contributes to an already precarious situation in the energy sector.
Fortunately, opposition to these unwarranted legislations is gathering pace. In a recent show of unity against an overreaching New York climate law, 22 states have decided to take legal action. Their common stance is that this law has violated the purview of the federal Clean Air Act, which is responsible for governing climate policy.
President Trump, in his characteristic resolve, has already committed to redirecting American energy in his first 100 days in office. Nevertheless, the rise of these contentious climate superfund laws poses a significant obstruction to achieving this objective.
Defeating climate superfund laws is crucial to restoring American energy dominance, keeping energy prices affordable for citizens, and reducing dependence on external energy sources. Under Trump’s leadership, America has an opportunity to rectify past errors and establish a vibrant, independent energy economy, free from the eco-radical clutches that previously hindered its progress.