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Energizing the World: Exploring North America’s Secure and Sustainable Energy Solutions

SpeakerS:

François Poirier, President & CEO, TC Energy
The Hon. Andrew Wheeler, Former Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2019-2021)
The Hon. Larry Kudlow, Host, Fox Business

With Core Programming Sponsor

“Subsidies were not the reason why natural gas displaced oil and oil displaced coal as the primary form of energy. It was cost.” François Poirier
“You're right; coal is less than half of what it was 15 years ago. When I was EPA administrator, I got to attend on behalf of the United States three of the G7 environmental ministers' meetings, and in all the meetings at least one of the ministers would say something about the fact that we pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord. And I always pointed out that we were reducing our CO2 more than the other seven G7 countries.” The Hon. Andrew Wheeler
“I hear a lot about the word transition, resilience, but I also prefer the word growth, and it seems to me as we look ahead the next 10 years or 20 years or 30 years between the development of new technologies, particularly AI, anything to do with quantum computing, but also development around the world fighting poverty in Africa and elsewhere, I would say we need more energy, not less.” The Hon. Larry Kudlow

Key takeaways:

  • Diverse sources of energy:  Meeting global energy demand requires a mix of energy sources for affordability, reliability, and sustainability. Natural gas serves as a bridge fuel in the near term, and permitting reform across all energy types is essential for security and project viability.
  • Energy Security: Strong energy supplies  underpin national security, countries with greater energy supplies have historically been victorious in conflicts. Increasing energy exports, particularly LNG, can support allies and reduce dependency on adversarial nations.
  • Market forces over subsidies: The U.S. transition from coal to natural gas was driven by market forces, not subsidies. Affordability and market signals should guide energy choices, rather than policies favoring only renewable subsidies.

Action items:

  • Implement Comprehensive Permitting Reform: Advocate for permitting reforms that apply equally to all energy sources, including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables, to accelerate energy infrastructure development. 
  • Encourage Market-Based Energy Decisions: Support policies that allow market competitiveness to drive energy transitions, ensuring that energy choices are made based on affordability, reliability, and sustainability without undue subsidies or regulatory burdens. 
  • Invest in Energy Diversity for National Security: Expand energy exports, such as LNG, to strengthen global energy security and support allies, leveraging energy as a tool for diplomacy and stability. 
        • Explore opportunities in nuclear energy, including investing in existing plants and developing small modular reactors, as reliable and low-emissions energy sources to complement other forms of energy production. 
        • Advocate for energy policies that do not disproportionately favor one energy source over others. 
  • Address Misconceptions About Fossil Fuels: Challenge narratives that exclude fossil fuels from the low emissions future by highlighting technological advancements and the role of natural gas in emission reductions.