Energy

Trump’s National Security Plan: ‘Energy Dominance,’ Not ‘Anti-Growth’ Climate Policies

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President Donald Trump’s administration prioritizes U.S. “energy dominance” through promoting exports, innovation and cutting regulations, according to the federal government’s National Security Strategy.

The White House’s security strategy is a rejection of former President Barack Obama’s administration, that prioritized fighting man-made global warming. Trump’s strategy no longer lists global warming as a nation security concern.

The Trump administration plans on “[u]nleashing these abundant energy resources— coal, natural gas, petroleum, renewables, and nuclear” to boost the economy and aid U.S. allies, according to an “America First National Security Strategy” plan.

“Energy dominance—America’s central position in the global energy system as a leading producer, consumer, and innovator—ensures that markets are free and U.S. infrastructure is resilient and secure,” reads the document.

“Our Nation must take advantage of our wealth in domestic resources and energy efficiency to promote competitiveness across our industries,” reads the document, that the White House released on Monday morning. The environment is best served through “innovation, technology breakthroughs, and energy efficiency gains, not from onerous regulation,” the document says.

Trump has re-positioning the U.S. from “climate leader” to a promoter of energy in the past year, in particular for fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Trump announced in June the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, and his administration promoted “more efficient and cleaner fossil fuels” at the subsequent G20 meeting and at other events.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry has already made several international trips to promote U.S. energy, and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt flew to Morocco in December to discuss natural gas exports.

Climate policies will continue to shape the global energy system. U.S. leadership is indispensable to countering an anti-growth energy agenda that is detrimental to U.S. economic and energy security interests,” the security document reads. “The United States will remain a global leader in reducing traditional pollution, as well as greenhouse gases, while expanding its economy.”

“As a growing supplier of energy resources, technologies, and services around the world, the United States will help its allies and partners become more resilient against those that use energy to coerce,” the document adds. “America’s role as an energy exporter will also require an assessment of our vulnerabilities and a resilient American infrastructure.”

On the homefront, Trump already took steps to unravel Obama-era global warming and energy regulations.

Here are five main points listed in Trump’s “America First” energy strategy:

Reduce Barriers: The United States will promote clean and safe development of our energy resources, while limiting regulatory burdens that encumber energy production and constrain economic growth. We will streamline the Federal regulatory approval processes for energy infrastructure, from pipeline and export terminals to container shipments and gathering lines, while also ensuring responsible environmental stewardship.

Promote Exports: The United States will promote exports of its energy resources, technologies, and services, that help our allies and partners diversify energy sources and bring economic gains back home. The U.S. will expand export capacity through the continued support of private sector development of coastal terminals, allowing increased market access and a greater competitive edge for U.S. industries.

Ensure Energy Security: The United States will work with allies and partners to protect global energy infrastructure from cyber and physical threats. The United States will support the diversification of energy sources, supplies, and routes at home and abroad. The country will modernize strategic petroleum stocks and encourage other countries to develop their own — consistent with their national energy security needs.

Attain Universal Energy Access: The United States will seek to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable energy, including highly efficient fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables, to help reduce poverty, foster economic growth, and promote prosperity.

Further America’s Technological Edge: The U.S. will improve America’s technological edge in energy, including nuclear technology, next-generation nuclear reactors, better batteries, advanced computing, carbon-capture technologies, and opportunities at the energy-water nexus. The United States will continue to lead in innovative and efficient energy technologies, recognizing the economic and environmental benefits to end users.

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