Should the U.S. Drill for More Oil and Gas?

Upfront published a debate between CAP’s Jenny Rowland and the president of an industry trade group about whether the United States should continue drilling for oil and gas or invest in a clean energy future.

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The United States pumped record amounts of oil and natural gas in 2023 and 2024. Oil and gas currently account for threequarters of America’s energy use, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

But while the U.S. annually produces more oil and gas than it uses, some lawmakers have been calling for increased drilling on America’s public lands and waters. A surplus of oil and natural gas, they say, will make the U.S. less dependent on foreign sources and provide for the nation’s growing energy needs. Critics point to the toll that drilling and pollution are taking on the environment and urge the development of greener energies, such as wind and solar.

So should the U.S. drill for more oil and gas? The president of an oil and gas industry trade group and a policy analyst for a liberal think tank square off.

The above excerpt was originally published in Upfront. Click here to view the full article.

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Author

Jenny Rowland-Shea

Director, Public Lands

Center For American Progress

Melissa Simpson

President

Western Energy Alliance

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