US Energy Policy

US Withdraws from Paris Agreement, Prioritizes Drilling Amidst Climate Crisis

The US’s announcement of its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and its plans to expand domestic oil drilling represent a significant shift in the nation’s energy policy and its global standing. This decision, seemingly driven by a desire to solidify the US’s position as the world’s leading oil producer, ironically ignores the burgeoning renewable energy market where China is taking the lead. The short-sightedness of focusing solely on oil production, while neglecting investment in renewable technologies, reveals a troubling inconsistency in US geopolitical strategy.

This move underscores a deeper issue: the perceived unreliability of US commitments on the world stage. If one administration routinely overturns the policies of its predecessor, international agreements become virtually meaningless.… Continue reading

Biden Permanently Blocks Offshore Oil Drilling on Millions of Acres

Biden’s recent decision to block all future oil drilling across 625 million acres of US ocean territory is a bold move with significant long-term implications. The legality of this action hinges on the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which, unusually, allows for presidential decisions under its authority to be permanent, barring Congressional intervention. This means that even a future administration, such as a potential Trump administration, would face a significant hurdle to reverse this policy, needing to change the law itself rather than simply issuing a new executive order.

This raises questions about the potential for both good and bad uses of such permanently binding presidential power.… Continue reading