Energy Makes State of Our Union Strong
Mark Green
Posted January 31, 2018
So, there was scant, direct mention of energy during Tuesday night’s State of the Union. We’re glad the president devoted some time to the country’s need for more infrastructure – just look at New England! – and he also talked about a new era of embracing American energy, also good.
At the same time, we’d argue virtually everything the president highlighted during his speech involves energy in some way. The economy, national security, bettering the lives of Americans – all of these are connected to natural gas and oil and/or its development. Which is what we’ve been saying: energy is everything, and energy is powering Americans past impossible.
Natural gas and oil drive economic growth, and ensuring their availability is integral to our security in the world. They make our daily lives modern, convenient, healthier and safer. They’re fundamental to new technologies and innovations that are helping build the future. Bottom line: The abundant, secure supply of natural gas and oil is what makes the state of our union strong. President Trump:
“This is our new American moment. There has never been a better time to start living the American Dream.”
The truth in this statement mostly stems from abundant U.S. energy and the secure hope that energy provides.
Two points: The president is right about infrastructure, including vital energy infrastructure: pipelines, gathering lines, processing facilities, storage, terminals and port improvements. He also mentioned trade, and we urge the administration again to recognize the support for U.S. energy in trade pacts such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
The agreement has helped open markets for U.S. natural gas and oil and finished products, which has strengthened our global trading posture and increased our security. NAFTA provisions that protect the global competitiveness of U.S. energy companies should be retained. Thirty-six U.S. senators agree, urging the president in a letter to keep a modernized NAFTA in place:
We write today to reaffirm the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and congratulate you on efforts to modernize the agreement and put America first. You have the opportunity to unleash the American economy like no President has done before and fuel historic growth. … Mr. President, your leadership has jump-started our economy. … The next step to advance the economy requires that we keep NAFTA in place, but modernize it to better reflect our 21st century economy.
To close out, some of the State of the Union conversation on Twitter:
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.