As the election approaches, the campaigns’ conflicting visions for America’s energy future is a pivotal issue in key battleground states.
The 2024 presidential race has starkly highlighted the growing chasm between Republicans and Democrats on energy and climate policy.
In fact, it could be argued that the two parties have never been further apart on the issue after Republican Donald Trump’s selection of J.D. Vance as his running mate and Kamala Harris’s rapid ascension as the presumptive Democratic nominee after President Joe Biden dropped out.
Trump’s choice of Vance reinforces the GOP’s pro-oil stance. Vance is a staunch supporter of drilling and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), often criticizing renewable energy sources like solar and wind. He views the Biden administration’s approach as a direct threat to U.S. energy production, a message that could resonate with voters grappling with a 20% rise in prices for most goods and services since Biden took office.
Vance’s policies aim to cut red tape and streamline permitting for oil and gas projects nationwide. His legislative efforts include co-sponsoring the “Power Act,” requiring Congressional approval before delaying leases or permits for oil, gas and mining on federal lands, and the “STOVE Act,” which would block federal agencies from banning gas stoves and appliances.
With the economy and inflation as central issues in the upcoming election, particularly in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, Vance’s selection is a strategic move. Pennsylvania, a significant natural gas producer, stands to be influenced by Vance’s pro-fracking stance. The shale boom over the past 15 years, driven by fracking in regions like the Marcellus and Utica Shales, underscores the importance of these policies to local economies.
