According to a Reuters report, the American Petroleum Institute (API), the main representative of the oil and gas sector, has requested a series of measures that could radically transform the energy policy of the United States.
Under the Biden administration, the country has been seeking to accelerate the energy transition towards clean sources, implementing strict regulations on methane emissions, promoting the electrification of transportation, and limiting the development of fossil fuels on federal lands. The tensions between regulation and energy production have been evident.
The possible revocation of critical environmental standards could also generate tensions at the state level, especially in places like California, which have been leaders in stricter environmental standards. This puts the country at a significant energy crossroads.
The pressure from the API reflects an industry that, despite record production levels, feels the weight of climate regulations and seeks to maximize opportunities in a competitive international environment.
The API's request seeks to expand exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico and federal lands, aiming to reverse the pause on new drilling license auctions, which are considered crucial to maintaining the country’s productive capacity.
The API's request to elected President Donald Trump to reverse Joe Biden's climate policies highlights the ongoing tension between the ambitions of the energy industry and the commitments of the United States to combat climate change, with impacts at both the national and global level.
Facilitating the export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) could strengthen the position of the United States as a key supplier in the international market, but a possible rollback in climate policies could weaken the country's leadership in the fight against climate change.
The agenda presented by API includes the elimination of emission regulations for electric vehicles, facilitating permits for LNG exports, and eliminating the tax on methane emissions, measures that the industry considers essential to maximize resource exploitation and maintain its competitiveness.
Mike Sommers, CEO of API, has pointed out that the recent election results reflect a rejection of policies considered excessively restrictive by the electorate. The energy industry seeks to adapt to new regulatory realities while aiming to maximize its expansion and production in an increasingly competitive international scenario.
