Vance’s Energy Agenda: “Drill-Baby-Drill”

Freedom Financial News | Posted July 18, 2024

Friendship and money: oil and water. –Mario Puzo

  • Pro-Oil Stance: J.D. Vance is a staunch supporter of the oil and gas industry, opposing clean energy policies.
  • Environmental Criticism: Vance’s alignment with Trump’s energy policies has drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists.
  • Political Influence: Vance’s energy positions could impact key states like Pennsylvania in the upcoming election.

Donald Trump’s decision to choose Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate likely fortifies his reputation as the pro-oil choice for voters. Vance is a strong supporter of drilling and hydraulic fracturing. He has criticized renewable energy sources like wind, expressed doubts about human-caused climate change, and painted President Joe Biden as a threat to U.S. energy, despite record oil and gas production.

“The Biden administration is doing everything it can to subsidize alternative energy sources and demonize our nation’s most reliable sources of power,” Vance wrote in an August op-ed in Ohio’s Marietta Times.

Backing Oil and Gas Interests

Since entering Congress in 2023, the Ohio Republican has consistently supported oil and gas interests and opposed Biden’s clean energy policies. The oil and gas industry spent over $283,000 on Vance’s 2022 election campaign, with significant contributions from companies like Artex Oil and Vitol SA. Vance’s stance aligns with Trump’s focus on the Midwest, aiming to appeal to voters in energy-rich states like Pennsylvania.

“He’s gonna continue to be an advocate for the industry, and energy investment, helping make sure that those issues stay at the forefront,” said Mike Chadsey, spokesperson for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association.

Environmental Criticism

Vance’s positions on energy, mirroring Trump’s, have drawn sharp criticism from environmentalists. At the conservative Turning Point Action conference, Vance called wind turbines “hideously ugly” and claimed they “kill all the birds.” Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power, stated that Vance is “a climate denier who is all too happy to do Big Oil’s bidding.”

“We cannot allow an out-of-touch, pro-polluter ticket to win in November,” Lodes said.

Fossil Fuels and Clean Energy Policies

Vance has championed hydraulic fracturing, a technique opposed by environmentalists for its potential to pollute groundwater. He has also criticized Biden’s clean energy policies, including efficiency standards for appliances and tax credits for electric vehicles. Vance’s Senate record earned him a zero on the League of Conservation Voters’ scorecard.

“Ohioans are lucky to live on top of the Utica Shale oil and gas basin,” Vance wrote in his August op-ed.

Political Implications

Vance’s energy record could influence the political landscape in key states. His support for fossil fuels and criticism of clean energy align with Trump’s pledge to “drill, baby, drill” and make America the dominant energy producer. However, Vance’s positions have also sparked concern among environmental advocates and voters supporting clean energy initiatives.

J.D. Vance’s alignment with Trump’s pro-oil stance solidifies his role as an advocate for the fossil fuel industry. While this may appeal to certain voter bases, it also attracts significant criticism from environmentalists and clean energy proponents, highlighting the contentious nature of energy policies in the upcoming election.

Freedom Financial News Team