President Joe Biden has advanced environmental policies throughout his time in office while maintaining a balance with the oil industry. However, recent decisions have led many to reconsider his opponent as the November election approaches.
In the past year, U.S. oil production reached its highest level ever, a fact the Biden administration has not widely advertised to avoid raising concerns among alternative energy advocates about his commitment to their policies. While promoting green energy and climate initiatives such as those in the Inflation Reduction Act, Biden has managed not to alienate the oil sector.
His attempts to balance both interests have come to a head with recent actions, most notably his decision to pause new U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to non-free trade agreement countries. This decision, along with restrictions on oil drilling across the country, particularly in Alaska, has led some in the industry to rethink their quiet support.
Trump recently dined with oil executives at Mar-a-Lago, an event critiqued by Democrats. Trump aimed to persuade the executives to donate to his campaign by outlining potential benefits of a second term. He sought significant donations as he continues to tackle an extensive campaign and legal battles.
The New York Times reports that MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, organized a fundraising lunch later in the month in Houston, Texas, hosted by three oil industry executives. The report noted that for some in the industry, the pause in new U.S. LNG exports served as a “wake-up call” on Biden’s energy policy, potentially translating to support for Trump in November.
Biden has actively sought backing from environmental groups, which strongly favor alternative energy over fossil fuels. He enjoys support from several major environmental organizations, four of which endorsed him last year.
In the endorsement announcement, Sierra Club National Executive Director Ben Jealous praised Biden for acting “courageously during a critical inflection point in the climate fight” and asserted that “no other administration has done more to move us forward.” However, the statement also highlighted that the group would “continue to hold this administration accountable when it falls short” and expressed their concerns with some environmental policies.
Environmental issues are just one of the challenges the Biden administration is navigating as the president seeks a second term. The White House’s stance on the war in Gaza has also led to significant protest votes, complicating Biden’s reelection campaign further.
