Gold Medals for America’s Energy Producers
Thursday, August 5, 2021
[U.S. Chamber] Last week, the Department of Energy announced that the United States once again led the world in oil and natural gas production in 2020, building on a trend that began in 2014 thanks to hydraulic fracturing and the shale revolution. 

In fact, since first overtaking Russia in 2014, America’s lead has steadily grown. Despite a modest decline last year, total U.S. oil and gas production is now only slightly behind the 2nd and 3rd place producers (Russia and Saudi Arabia) combined. 

Benefits galore. The benefits that come with leading the world in energy production are myriad. High-paying jobs in the energy sector, more money in consumer’s pockets thanks to lower prices, an improved balance of trade thanks to record-high energy exports, and world-leading reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. And you can’t put a price on the value of our newfound energy independence when it comes to geopolitics and national security. 

Industrial competitiveness. As a primary feedstock and power source for a wide range of energy intensive industrial activities, natural gas is an important factor impacting the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector. Here too, our advantages are enormous, with the most recent international data showing overseas competitors generally paying double and sometimes triple the prices for natural gas paid by businesses in the U.S.