The White House released an energy plan following Donald J. Trump’s inauguration as the 45th US president in which he promised to put America and its people first. “To all Americans, hear these words: You will never be ignored again,” Trump said in his Jan. 20 inauguration address.
“We will get people off welfare and back to work, rebuilding our country,” he stated. “We will reinforce old alliances and build new ones…. When you open your heart to patriotism, there’s no room for prejudice.”
The new administration is committed to energy policies that reduce costs for Americans and maximize the use of US resources, “freeing us from dependence on foreign oil,” its energy plan said.
“For too long, we’ve been held back by burdensome regulations on our energy industry,” it said. “President Trump is committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan and the Waters of the US rule. Lifting these restrictions will greatly help American workers, increasing wages by more than $30 billion over the next 7 years.”
The plan said the US must take advantage of an estimated $50 trillion of untapped shale oil and gas reserves, especially on federal lands. “We will use the revenue from energy production to rebuild our roads, schools, bridges, and public infrastructure. Less expensive energy will be a big boost to American agriculture, as well,” it said.
The Trump administration also is committed to clean coal technology and reviving the coal industry, according to the energy plan.
Producing more energy is in America’s national security interest, it maintained. “President Trump is committed to achieving energy independence from the [Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries] cartel and any nations hostile to our interests,” the plan said. “At the same time, we will work with our [Persian] Gulf allies to develop a positive energy relationship as part of our antiterrorism strategy.”
Meeting US energy needs also must go hand-in-hand with protecting the environment, it said. “Protecting clean air and clean water, conserving our natural habitats, and preserving our natural reserves and resources will remain a high priority,” the plan said.
It also indicated that the administration will focus the US Environmental Protection Agency on its primary mission of protecting the nation’s air and water.
Oklahoma Atty. Gen. Scott Pruitt (R) said, during a US Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on his nomination to be EPA administrator, that his core philosophies would be the rule of law, cooperative federalism, and public participation if he is confirmed (OGJ Online, Jan. 18, 2017).
“A brighter future depends on energy policies that stimulate our economy, ensure our security, and protect our health. Under the Trump administration’s energy policies, that future can become a reality,” the White House plan concluded.
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