Incoming 47th US President Donald Trump announced a National Energy Emergency during his inauguration address.
Sticking to commitments made in the run-up to his Presidency, he said the US has some of the largest oil and gas reserves in the world “and we are going to use it” and reaffirmed it will “export US energy all over the world”, adding that “liquid gold” will help drive its economic growth and reverse “America’s decline”.
Other measures on the table include accelerating drilling in Alaska and stopping leases on windfarms.
Among the orders swinging into immediate effect will be the end of the Green New Deal and promotion of electric vehicles.
According to The White House website, “During President Trump’s first term, our nation became the number one producer of oil and natural gas on earth and achieved American energy independence. Delivering low energy costs for oil, gas, and electricity to the American people is a priority and he will achieve this by encouraging domestic energy production.”
The new administration has thrown its full weight behind traditional energy and fossil fuels at a time when many countries are going in the opposite direction, embarking on Net Zero and decarbonisation strategies.
It is unclear, both legislatively and practically, how much of the Inflation Reduction Act will be reversed, but the new President’s initial comments leave little doubt about where his energy priorities now lie.
The ‘tide of change’ was reflected by the ceremony being held indoors at Capitol Rotunda on account of the cold weather.
In other eye-catching moves, President Trump pledged to send astronauts to Mars and renaming the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of America.
An event for 20,000 people is to be held in Washington DC, where a desk is on stage, suggesting that the new President will sign new orders in his first evening as President.
