For far too long in our nation’s history, America has been dependent on foreign suppliers of oil, many of which are unstable countries actively hostile to our national interests. This state of affairs linked our economic prosperity to the whims of oil-producing states and threatened our national security.
In one of the greatest turnarounds ever achieved, we now produce more energy than we use. Thanks to new technologies, especially fracking, United States oil and gas companies have been able to pursue ample domestic sources of energy, and we have witnessed a revolution in the use of renewable resources, such as solar and wind energy.
Last year, the U.S. exported more energy than it imported for the first time since 1952.
What’s more, the energy we consume is cleaner. According to the Department of Energy, natural gas contributes to roughly one-third of energy production in the U.S. Natural gas emits the least amount of carbon dioxide of all fossil fuels when burned, roughly half the carbon dioxide emitted when burning coal.
There are over 2,500 trillion cubic feet of dry natural gas in the U.S. Assuming a rate of about 30 trillion cubic feet of dry natural gas is produced annually, which was the 2018 rate, the U.S. has a large enough natural gas supply domestically to last until the year 2110.
Prior to the effect of the coronavirus lockdown in reducing overall carbon emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency reported that, since 2005, “emissions have fallen 10 percent, and power-sector emissions have fallen by 27 percent — even as our economy grew by 25 percent.”
Why is this important? Because so many people have adopted a gloomy view of our environmental future, which is not born out by the facts, and falsely believe that radical and impractical solutions such as the “Green New Deal” are the answer.
In the College Republican National Committee’s research last year, we found that a staggering 35% of self-identified Republicans ages 18 to 30 had a somewhat favorable view of the “Green New Deal” and believed climate change was an existential threat. But the truth is, such extremist policies will kill jobs, raise energy costs through the roof, and tip the country into recession.
Earlier this year, I joined dozens of current and former College Republican leaders in supporting the American Climate Contract, which has been endorsed by several top House Republicans, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and contains realistic policy solutions that will build on the progress we have already made.
Last month, more than 30 College Republican state chairmen joined dozens of elected officials, including senators, congressmen, governors, and attorneys general, in signing the Declaration of Energy Independence, a commitment to an affordable, clean, abundant, and secure approach to U.S. energy production.
Furthermore, we should dramatically increase basic research in technologies, including improved energy storage, smart-grid infrastructure, the commercialization of large-scale renewables, and the clean and efficient use of existing fossil fuels that emit less carbon. Nuclear power also needs to be part of a cleaner energy mix.
Because energy independence is so crucial to our economy and national security, we must continue to lead the way by pursuing domestic energy sources, particularly natural gas, with an increased focus on diversifying our energy supply with new and clean technologies.
It would be a mistake to believe, as supporters of the “Green New Deal” do, that our energy future depends on raising taxes, abandoning our cars, and making air travel obsolete. Our future is so much brighter than that.
Chandler Thornton (@chandlerUSA) is the national chairman of the College Republican National Committee.
