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Oil and gas executives engage with Democrats despite tensions at convention
Despite sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, oil and gas industry representatives were active at the Democratic National Convention, aiming to influence discussions on energy policy.
In short:
- Oil and gas leaders attended the Democratic National Convention to ensure their industry remains part of the energy conversation.
- Industry optimism stems from Kamala Harris' softened stance on fracking, indicating the sector's ongoing relevance.
- Environmental activists protested their presence, accusing companies like Exxon of exacerbating climate change.
Key quote:
"We all know they are going to continue the old songs of price collusion and polluting for profits and all those things, but we’re reducing emissions more than anywhere else in the world …we are going to continue to send that message while we’re here."
— Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute
Why this matters:
The oil and gas industry is navigating intense scrutiny while attempting to shape future energy policies. The outcome could impact the pace of the U.S. energy transition and the industry's role in it.
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Credit: Gage Skidmore/flickr
GOP speakers criticize Biden's energy policies at convention
Several Republican National Convention speakers blamed President Biden's policies for rising gas and electricity prices, but experts attribute the increases to global market forces and other complex factors.
Brad Plumer and Lisa Friedman report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Republicans claimed Biden's policies increased gas and electricity prices.
- Experts say global market forces and events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine influenced these price hikes more than Biden's policies.
- Former President Trump promised more domestic drilling, but experts argue other factors affect energy prices.
Key quote:
“The bulk of electricity price spikes are the result of ‘increasing cost and volatility of fossil fuels’ and extreme weather events like wildfires.”
— Brendan Pierpont, director of electricity modeling at Energy Innovation
Why this matters:
Misleading narratives can cloud public understanding and influence policymakers. For instance, blaming renewable energy for all price increases overlooks the benefits of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and the long-term savings from sustainable energy investments. Conversely, ignoring the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the grid to accommodate renewables can lead to unrealistic expectations and frustration.
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