DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Is the US set for a fossil fuel renaissance? Trump’s day one orders may portray support for the resurgence of fossil fuels – but this doesn’t necessarily mean fossil fuels will outshine their greener successors.
“It is thus in the national interest to unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources. This will restore American prosperity – including for those men and women who have been forgotten by our economy in recent years.
Trump’s energy agenda centres on boosting domestic fossil fuel production, especially oil and natural gas.
The administration has declared a “national energy emergency”, granting expanded powers to expedite approvals for fossil fuel infrastructure, aiming to streamline permitting processes and reduce regulatory obstacles for oil and gas projects.
“It will also rebuild our nation’s economic and military security, which will deliver peace through strength.”
Trump's support of oil and gas is no secret – but is this feeling mutual, or unrequited?
54
April 2025Many have taken the occasion of a changing of Presidents as an opportunity to reinforce that, although fossil fuels have a part to play in the US’ energy future, continual green progress needs to be made.
Although it has the backing of the new President, ExxonMobil’s Chair and CEO Darren Woods urges the Republican administration to not shake the boat too much by making climate policy swings.
“Our nation’s current inadequate development of domestic energy resources leaves us vulnerable to hostile foreign actors and poses an imminent and growing threat to the United States’ prosperity and national security,” Trump says in the executive order.
“The Trump administration can bring a common sense approach to the discussion, so I would encourage them to stay in the Paris Agreement,” he said following Trump’s reelection.
Wood Mackenzie’s Ed Crooks, Vice Chair Americas and host of Energy Gang podcast says this summarises a key theme in the Trump administration’s strategy: “The connection between the
55
energydigital.com