It is time to stop treating ExxonMobil and other U.S. oil and gas companies as the enemy. Oil and gas production are now a major domestic economic issue and growing national security challenge. To promote the national interest, both home and abroad, the president should immediately change course on energy policy and promote the rapid expansion of oil and gas production in the United States. Simultaneously, the White House should remove any barriers to exporting energy to European allies and friends.
Specifically, President Joe Biden should open up much more federal land to oil leases at reasonable costs. Reduce existing barriers to off-shore oil exploration, while maintaining safety standards. Concurrently, restore and fast-track energy pipeline projects and energy export infrastructure expansion. Approve and expedite new refineries. Expand North American cooperation on oil production and distribution.
Our rising energy costs are crippling our domestic economy, which is exacerbated by knock-on effects of broader inflation, including transportation of everything to power generation. These rising costs are a self-inflicted wound because of bad policy generated to appease a small group of radical progressives.
Long ago, U.S. homes were heated with coal; then we used heating oil, and now many houses heat with natural gas or propane. Heating oil is cleaner than coal, and natural gas pollutes less than heating oil. The same goes for improvements in fuel efficiency and reduction of pollution generated by newer vehicles. An innovative Denver company, Crusoe Energy, reduces gas flaring on remote oil fields and is expanding. America was on a sound path to environmental responsibility; the current green revolution is causing significant harm to our economy and threatens our national security.
Presently, we need all forms of energy to meet our needs and assist allies and friends, especially with news that Biden is going to ban imports of Russian oil. Germany prematurely went green, ditched petroleum and nuclear capabilities, failed to generate sufficient energy, and became dependent on Russia. The rest of Europe is in a similar predicament. This should be a strong lesson to us on what not to do.
It is absolute folly to beg OPEC+ to increase oil production to benefit us. The fact that most OPEC+ states have authoritarian governments and state-run economies creates many difficulties for the United States, including engineered price increases through reduction of production and massive environmental damage. In 2021, imports from Russia exceeded 230 million barrels. We shouldn鈥檛 outsource our energy needs to OPEC+, a cartel that doesn鈥檛 set production quotas based on U.S. national interest or democratic values.
If America wants to reduce Russian adventurism in Ukraine, it should increase domestic oil and gas production. First, it will reduce domestic gas prices and utility bills and food costs. Second, it will reduce the price of oil, which will doubly hurt Russia 鈥� its economy and military strength are based on increasing oil production at high prices; instead, we take away market share and reduce profit per barrel. Third, bolstering the U.S. oil and gas industry sends a strategic message to Russia, demonstrating strength, capability, and resolve. Strategists understand that economic power generates military power. Russia only fears martial strength with leadership resolve.
Here are some recommendations to get back on course to greater energy production. First, show Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm the door and select someone who has oil and gas industry experience. Second, gather ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and other major oil company leaders to seek their input, support, and assure them with new policies that encourage greater production. Third, assemble a small energy advisory team to assist the National Security Council. It is high time to change course.
Joseph R. Nu帽ez, Ph.D., is a retired U.S. Army colonel who was a professor of national security and strategy at the U.S. Army War College and previously taught at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Between 2007 and 2013, he served in Iraq with the Department of State, including duty as senior oil and gas advisor.
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