By Mark J. Rhoads, Missouri Energy Forum
We’ve all heard about President Trump’s America First policy, but not much has been written about the fact that the United States is the world’s leader in production of natural gas and oil. It makes sense that national policies recognize the natural resources that we have at our disposal to enhance national security.
First, tariffs on foreign imports of steel and aluminum products impact our nation’s ability to continue to lead the world in production of oil and natural gas simply because the U.S. producers do not currently produce the specialized products that are essential to continued production. President Trump and Congress should recognize that certain exemptions should be made to tariff policies to ensure that America’s oil and natural gas production is not impaired.
Second, the Trump administration and Congress should not consider subsidies for coal and nuclear power plants. We’re turning the corner on clean production of electricity in this nation. The Administration is considering plans to bail out coal and nuclear plants across the country, under the claim that the nation’s electricity grid is facing an emergency and putting America’s national security at risk. However, there is no imminent grid emergency or threat to our national security. Even the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) previously indicated that there is no emergency with our nation’s electric grid to justify bailouts to coal and nuclear power plants. The U.S. power grid is healthy and well-supplied, in particular through the use of natural gas, which powers one in three homes and businesses, and serves as a critical partner in renewable power generation.
Third, we should as a nation support offshore energy exploration and production that will continue our nation’s leadership of oil and natural gas production. What more important issue exists than to ensure that U.S. companies provide affordable energy for American consumers, small businesses and manufacturers?
U.S. crude oil production rose to an all-time record of 10.7 million barrel per day in June – the largest monthly output ever. The Trump administration and Congress should consider policies that sustain production. It truly is an America First priority.
1 Energy Tomorrow. June 25, 2018. “Another Flawed Argument for Coal and Nuclear.” http://www.energytomorrow.org/blog/2018/06/25/another-flawed-argument-for-nuclear-coal-bailouts
