Al Gore Says Trump’s Energy Policies Are a ‘Tragedy’ for the US
(Bloomberg) -- The Trump administration’s desire to amp up the production of oil, gas and coal while dismantling policies that back clean energy is hurting US competitiveness, according to Al Gore.
The former US vice president described the situation as “a tragedy” for America, in comments delivered in connection with the annual sustainability trends report of Generation Investment Management, of which Gore is the co-founder and chairman.
America’s approach to energy means that “one of the world’s most dynamic economies will be retreating as the low-emissions technologies of the future are implemented and commercialized everywhere else,” he said.
In an interview on Tuesday, Gore said US energy policy is now paving the way for China to extend its lead in dominating the low-carbon economy of the future. China’s green-energy supremacy — and the US retreat from clean-tech — brings with it a host of geopolitical ramifications, including a potential redrawing of trade alliances, Gore added.
“The fact that the US is taking steps, which in the eyes of many in the world, diminish its moral authority and capacity for leading the world, has caused many nations to reassess the closeness to China,” he said.
One of the many executive orders Donald Trump signed after returning to the White House as president was titled “Unleashing American Energy,” which seeks boost US energy supply by encouraging the exploration and production of fossil fuels. The goal is greater energy security and job growth, according to the White House.
At the same time, the Trump administration has dismantled the clean-energy policies of President Joe Biden, singling out wind power as a particular target of derision.
Such policies will “slow the pace” of the energy transition, “but it’s certainly not going to stop it,” Gore said. “That’s impossible.”
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