Harris Backed Green New Deal; Now Advocates for Domestic Oil Drilling
OIL & GAS

Harris Backed Green New Deal; Now Advocates for Domestic Oil Drilling

During a debate, Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted her efforts to promote clean energy by asserting that the Biden-Harris administration had achieved "the largest increase in domestic oil production in history" due to their strategy of not overly relying on foreign oil. This statement, made by Harris—who has been a staunch advocate for climate action and supported the original Green New Deal—took both supporters and opponents by surprise. It also seemed at odds with the frequent claims by Harris and President Joe Biden of being leaders in combating global warming.

Following former President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Biden-Harris administration rejoined the international accord aimed at cutting emissions. They also set a goal to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and took steps to fast-track renewable energy projects while moving away from fossil fuels.

Liam Donovan, a Republican strategist, noted that it was significant that Harris chose to emphasise something that President Biden had scarcely mentioned during a debate in energy-rich Pennsylvania. He remarked that domestic fossil fuel production under the Biden administration was at an all-time high, with crude production averaging 12.9 million barrels a day last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 under Trump, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Donovan described this statement as "another sign of Harris' sprint to the middle" on energy policy and other issues.

Harris also took the opportunity to reframe the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—the administration's key climate legislation—as a positive development for fracking and other drilling activities, a perspective supported by lease-sale requirements added to the bill by independent Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a prominent supporter of the fossil fuel industry. This remark left some in the environmental community disappointed.

Stevie O'Hanlon, a spokesperson for the Sunrise Movement, expressed frustration, stating that Harris had missed a crucial chance to contrast herself sharply with Trump and demonstrate to young voters her commitment to standing up to Big Oil and addressing the climate crisis.

During a debate, Vice President Kamala Harris highlighted her efforts to promote clean energy by asserting that the Biden-Harris administration had achieved the largest increase in domestic oil production in history due to their strategy of not overly relying on foreign oil. This statement, made by Harris—who has been a staunch advocate for climate action and supported the original Green New Deal—took both supporters and opponents by surprise. It also seemed at odds with the frequent claims by Harris and President Joe Biden of being leaders in combating global warming. Following former President Donald Trump's withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the Biden-Harris administration rejoined the international accord aimed at cutting emissions. They also set a goal to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and took steps to fast-track renewable energy projects while moving away from fossil fuels. Liam Donovan, a Republican strategist, noted that it was significant that Harris chose to emphasise something that President Biden had scarcely mentioned during a debate in energy-rich Pennsylvania. He remarked that domestic fossil fuel production under the Biden administration was at an all-time high, with crude production averaging 12.9 million barrels a day last year, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 under Trump, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Donovan described this statement as another sign of Harris' sprint to the middle on energy policy and other issues. Harris also took the opportunity to reframe the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—the administration's key climate legislation—as a positive development for fracking and other drilling activities, a perspective supported by lease-sale requirements added to the bill by independent Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a prominent supporter of the fossil fuel industry. This remark left some in the environmental community disappointed. Stevie O'Hanlon, a spokesperson for the Sunrise Movement, expressed frustration, stating that Harris had missed a crucial chance to contrast herself sharply with Trump and demonstrate to young voters her commitment to standing up to Big Oil and addressing the climate crisis.

Next Story
Technology

AirBrick Infra Sets Rs 1 billion Target, Expands to Dubai and Tier-II Cities

AirBrick Infra, one of India’s fastest-growing AI-led commercial interior design and build firms, has announced a sales order target of Rs 1 billion for FY 2025–26. The projection represents a 50 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year and reflects rising demand, increased repeat business, and the company's robust tech-first delivery model.  Now in its third year of operations, AirBrick continues its rapid scale-up, having successfully delivered over 70 projects spanning 3 lakh sq ft in FY 2023–24. FY 2024–25 witnessed the onboarding of several Fortune 500 clients, sett..

Next Story
Resources

Virtusa Foundation Powers Green Education Drive in Bengaluru

The Virtusa Foundation, CSR arm of digital engineering and technology leader Virtusa Corporation, has announced key infrastructure and mobility initiatives at the Ramakrishna Mission, Shivanahalli, Bengaluru. The launch marks the inauguration of a 16-room residential facility for lady teachers and the deployment of two solar-powered electric buses, underscoring Virtusa’s commitment to its core pillars of Education, Environment and Empowerment (3Es).  Located on the forest fringe near Bannerghatta National Park, the initiative supports tribal and underserved communities, complementi..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Godrej Enterprises Drives India’s Smart Green Logistics Shift

As India accelerates its transformation into a global manufacturing and logistics hub, Godrej Enterprises Group (GEG) is taking the lead with its smart, sustainable intralogistics solutions. Through its Material Handling Equipment (MHE) and Storage Solutions businesses, GEG is redefining operational efficiency in modern warehouses and factories using IoT, automation, and AI. GEG has consistently maintained a 20–25 per cent market share in the intralogistics sector over the past three years. Today, over 37 per cent of GEG’s revenues come from its Good & Green portfolio, and its net..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?