There is little that former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris have in common when it comes to energy policy. Trump would almost certainly end the Biden administration’s pause on new liquefied natural gas (LNG) export permits and has threatened to rescind all unspent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds. A Harris administration would continue to focus on combatting climate change by promoting renewable energy.
Offshore Wind
- Trump’s distaste for wind turbines is long-held, and he vowed earlier this year to halt offshore wind projects “on day one.”
- A Harris administration would be expected to continue offshore wind lease sales.
Electric Vehicles
- Harris has been vocally supportive of efforts to expand EV access and manufacturing, calling on automakers to reduce fleet emissions by producing more electric and hybrid vehicles. When she ran for president in 2019, Harris vowed to implement federal rules that would require half of all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be zero-emission, increasing to 100% by 2035.
- Trump vowed to "end the electric-vehicle mandate on day one, thereby saving the US auto industry from complete obliteration." Now that Elon Musk has endorsed Trump and become a key campaign donor and surrogate, Trump has been quoted as saying he supports "a very small slice" of cars being electric. This is unlikely to amount to any significant support, and the $7,500 EV consumer tax credit would still very much be at risk.
LNG & Fracking
- Harris has stated she would not ban fracking and touted her tie-breaking vote for the IRA, which she noted includes provisions to increase leases for oil and gas on federal land. Some observers expect her administration might set a higher bar for LNG export authorizations.
- Trump has pledged to boost American LNG production, likely overturning the current export pause. Additionally, he aims to reduce regulations to facilitate the establishment of new LNG export facilities.
Clean Energy Permitting
- Much of Trump’s energy policy involves revoking regulations that he believes hinder the sector, with a focus on American “energy dominance.” Several of Trump’s stated priorities – unleashing American energy, keeping electricity and energy prices down – would require easing permitting rules.
- Harris has not commented specifically on the proposed permitting reform legislation, but she has said that she would "work with Congress, workers and businesses, cities and states, community groups and local leaders, to reform permitting, cut red tape, and get things moving faster."
Critical Minerals
- Harris has called for a stockpile of critical minerals – something both sides of the aisle have considered – to counter China’s current dominance of the global critical mineral supply chain (something Trump is also keen to do). Harris has also referenced “increased domestic production” and “stronger critical mineral supply chains alongside our allies.”
- Trump was supportive of mining during his first term, when he issued an executive order backing mining and critical minerals, and his administration reopened the Superior National Forest in Minnesota to mining. Some observers are concerned that Trump might rescind some funding for the Department of Energy Loan Programs Office to lend to prospective critical minerals producers and processors.
Power Plant Emissions
- In August, Trump vowed to rescind Biden administration rules aimed at cutting power plant emissions, saying, “instead of shutting down power plants, we will open dozens and dozens more.”
- Harris has not commented on the power plant emission requirements.
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