On Tuesday Eastern Time, the US oil and gas industry directly called on President elect Trump to repeal many of the Biden administration's policies to address climate change, stating that these measures threaten US employment, consumer choices, and energy security.
API calls on Trump to cancel climate policy
The American Petroleum Institute (API) is the largest oil and gas trade organization in the United States. The association urges Trump to lift existing vehicle emission standards aimed at supporting the electric vehicle industry, lift the ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits, and work with Congress to abolish fees for methane emissions from drilling operations after taking office.
In recent years, Biden has been seeking to transition the US economy towards clean energy and tighten regulation of the oil and gas industry - despite this, domestic oil and gas production in the US has reached historic highs during Biden's tenure.
During the campaign, Trump had already promised to repeal dozens of environmental regulations and policies that oil and gas producers complained about.
API CEO Mike Sommers said, "Looking at the results of last week's election, it was clear that the issue of energy was reflected in the ballots... Whether it's Michigan's electric vehicle directive or Pennsylvania's water pressure law regulations, voters and both parties across the country have sent a clear message to policymakers that they want a comprehensive approach to energy issues, rather than government directives and restrictions
API makes multiple appeals
API calls on Trump to revoke the federal government's delegation of power to California, not allow California to develop stricter state exhaust emission regulations than federal regulations, and abolish the clean energy regulations of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The organization also advocates supporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, holding more oil and gas drilling auctions in the Gulf of Mexico, and lifting restrictions on oil and gas development on federal land in the United States.
API also hopes that Trump can make it easier for oil and gas developers to obtain drilling permits by amending the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. API also hopes that the US government will implement tax incentives for investment in oil and gas extraction infrastructure.
US oil giants call for staying in the Paris Climate Agreement?
It is worth mentioning that just before API released this policy call document, ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods had just stated at the United Nations COP29 Climate Summit that the United States should not withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement as promised by Trump.
ExxonMobil stated in a statement, "If the United States withdraws from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time, it will have a profound impact on the United States' efforts to reduce its own emissions and the international community's efforts to address climate change
In 2017, before Trump announced plans to launch the Paris Climate Agreement, ExxonMobil also advocated for the United States to stay in the agreement. In addition, ExxonMobil also supports Biden's decision to rejoin the agreement in 2021.
When asked for his opinion on Woods' comments, API's Summers stated that his organization will simultaneously focus on reducing carbon emissions and meeting the world's energy needs.
Regardless of whether the United States joins the agreement or not, we will continue to do so, "Summers said.