Energy Policy and a Trump Administration
This brief examines the stated intentions of President-elect Trump’s campaign and transition team regarding energy policy, the potential roadblocks to their realization, and what the administration could reasonably and quickly turn into a reality.
Key findings
- Economic realities expressed through market prices will frustrate Trump administration efforts to boost fossil fuel production.
- As for President-elect Trump’s stated goal of making the United States a net energy exporter, this trend is already solidly evident.
- Likewise, the considerable environmental and economic regulations put in place by the states and under state control limit the federal reach.
- Industry has been and will continue to be responsive to its shareholders and ratings agencies, where climate change and other issues of corporate responsibility are important.
- Any efforts to promote natural gas production are likely to lower its price and make coal even less competitive.
- If trade subsides with Mexico over issues with immigration and NAFTA, US natural gas and pipeline suppliers will be hurt.
