As the old saying goes, it’s either boom or bust. Today, that saying is as antiquated as the old black-and-white episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies unintentionally striking oil in their backyard.
A cornerstone of the U.S. economy throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, the oil and gas industry has fueled job creation, infrastructure development, and investment. Its growth has bolstered various sectors, including manufacturing, transportation, and finance, with more than 6,000 everyday goods being produced from oil and gas byproducts. And no other industry has weathered the storms quite like oil and gas, demonstrating a resilience unlike any other.
Thanks to modern technology and the industry’s eager investment in innovation, the way we explore, drill, produce, and refine oil and gas has dramatically shifted. At no other point in time has the energy industry been as sustainable as it is now. And with that, our markets no longer experience the drastic boom or bust effect, with companies and investors now embracing different strategies to meet the growing demand for oil and gas.
That demand is growing not just at home but abroad as well. As geopolitical conflict continues to escalate across the Middle East and Eastern Europe, our allies are becoming more and more dependent on the American energy workforce.
Simply put, American energy workers are keeping the lights on and the heat flowing as we experience record-breaking global energy demand that is widely anticipated to flow into 2024 and 2025. Yet instead of recognition and support, the industry encounters political barriers and bureaucratic obstacles at every turn. It’s time for lawmakers and administrative officials to acknowledge the vital role of the energy workforce in bolstering the U.S. economy and champion policies that empower rather than hinder their efforts.
Unfortunately, the Biden administration’s policies do the exact opposite. Over the past few years, the energy industry has been met with political barrier after barrier and pages upon pages of red tape attempting to halt American energy progress. Why?
Part of the reason is the energy industry has to fight against a narrative painted by environmentalists that oil and gas companies are archaic profiteers that only seek to strike it rich in black gold. But the truth couldn’t be further from that dusty old image. Today’s energy workforce looks more like the tech sector than anything else. Skilled talent is in high demand, with the industry clamoring for a workforce of programmers, engineers, data analysts, and computer scientists.
But that talent is being held up by the Beltway establishment. From the failure to take action on permitting reform to the delayed approval of dozens upon dozens of energy projects across the U.S. to the recent decision to halt the exporting of American liquefied natural gas, which is the most sustainable fossil fuel in production, the Biden administration has opposed the U.S. energy workforce at every turn.
The energy sector is not just a vital component of our economy but a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity. As we confront geopolitical tensions and economic challenges on the global stage, the expertise and dedication of American energy workers are more crucial than ever.
Congress must get to work to keep the bureaucrats out of the daily lives of the energy workforce and focus on the needs of American workers who are essential to ensuring the continued success of the energy sector. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing the needs of American workers, we can ensure that the energy sector continues to thrive, driving prosperity and progress for generations to come.
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Molly Determan is president of the Energy Workforce and Technology Council, the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector, representing more than 665,000 U.S. jobs in the technology-driven energy value chain. Determan advocates on behalf of the energy workforce and speaks frequently on workforce, culture, leadership, HSE, and supply chain.
