The U.S. oil sector is creating executive orders for Donald Trump, focusing on natural gas exports and deregulating drilling, anticipating his possible reelection.
Ben Lefebvre reports for POLITICO.
In short:
- Energy executives express concern over Trump's potential lack of focus on energy policy if reelected, prompting preemptive action.
- Plans include reversing Biden's green initiatives and increasing federal lands access for oil drilling.
- Industry insiders are crafting detailed drafts to ensure favorable policies are implemented swiftly.
Key quote:
“You’ll see a lot of Biden regulations that have come out in the past six months checked one way or another. It’s going to be like shooting fish in the barrel — there’s just so much to go after.”
— Stephen Brown, director of energy consulting firm RBJ Strategies and a former refining industry lobbyist
Why this matters:
The oil industry's direct involvement in drafting executive orders reveals the sector's anticipation of a political climate more favorable to fossil fuel enterprises, which contrasts starkly with the current regulatory approach that prioritizes environmental safeguards and renewable energy sources.
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