Washington cannot expect Americans to invest for decades while managing energy policy one election at a time. Main Street owners put their savings, their businesses, and their employees’ livelihoods behind every expansion. They need confidence that the energy supporting those commitments will be available and affordable long after the next administration takes office. President Donald Trump’s effort to ease diesel costs is welcome. Now, Washington must deliver a comprehensive strategy for the entire energy ecosystem that encourages long-term investment and hiring.

Diesel is an economic artery running through American life. It powers the trucks bringing groceries to neighborhood stores, the equipment building homes, and the freight carrying American products to market. When diesel costs rise, the pressure travels with every delivery. A grocer must accept a thinner margin or raise prices. A contractor must absorb another expense or increase a bid. Working families pay more for essentials, while business owners have less money to expand.