America’s Energy Independence Needs to Be Protected

October 2, 2020

RealClear Energy recently wrote an editorial on an eventcast done on September 22^nd with Mark P. Mills interviewing oil historian Daniel Yergin to discuss Yergin’s new book, The New Map: Energy, Climate and the Clash of Nations, and other key topics in the energy-environment space.

Here’s a taste:

Further, the immense mining boom that must take place for clean energy usually goes unstated. And from domestic mining to global supply chains, China is seeking to dominate the critical materials required. China’s new energy policy wants to control the materials needed for “the energy world of tomorrow.” U.S. leadership must take notice.

Indeed, energy permeates the thinking of the Chinese. Realizing that it is at a key disadvantage for oil and gas supply, China is working with heavily resourced Russia to ensure supply.

Russia is gaining influence not just in China but also in Europe, where the contentious Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline connecting with Germany is almost complete, in defiance of U.S. sanctions on the project. Russia is also focusing on exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG), which would give it even more influence and flexibility in supplying the world with more natural gas—increasingly the go-to fuel to reduce emissions and backup wind and solar power.

America became the world’s top oil and gas producer under President Trump, achieving energy independence for the first time in our country’s history. The eco-left’s proposed environmental policies would turn us away from the industry that has secured our national security and shifted us off of energy dependence on foreign countries. The United States is import reliant on 31 of the 35 critical minerals, and we rely on China for 80 percent of rare earth elements (REEs) needed for renewable energy. China also produces 70% of the world’s solar panels, just 1% are made in the United States.

U.S. policymakers should realize that American shale is the vital buffer to this emerging Russia-China energy relationship. We can change the world’s geopolitics with our energy. In fact, India and other nations are desperate to fully access U.S. shale, as we are seen as a dependable and low-cost supplier.

The oil and gas industry supports 10 million American jobs and brings in billions in revenue. It will and should be a key part of our country’s economic recovery and in turn, the industry will secure our national security and diplomatic power on the international stage.