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Journalism of Courage
In his first speech as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump reiterated one of his presidential campaign slogans — “drill, baby, drill” — indicating that he will push for more oil and gas production, and consumption in the US. President Trump also said he would declare a “national energy emergency” to boost US oil and gas production and bring prices down.
History of ‘drill, baby, drill’
The slogan was coined in 2008 by Michael Steele, the US politician who served as the first African-American lieutenant governor of Maryland and chair of the Republican National Committee.
Speaking with Carbon Brief in March 2024, Steele said he had used the phrase to promote US independence from Middle Eastern oil. While addressing the Republican National Convention in 2008, he told the crowd: “Let’s reduce our dependency on foreign sources of oil, and promote oil-and-gas production at home. Let me make it very clear: Drill, baby, drill – and drill now.”
Steele came up with the slogan at a time when the US was witnessing high fuel prices due to conflict in the Middle East.
The same year, “drill, baby, drill” was chanted by the supporters of Republican John McCain during his unsuccessful presidential campaign against Barack Obama.
The slogan became associated with Sarah Palin, a climate-skeptic and McCain’s pick for Vice-President, also.
Trump’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ plan
As part of his pro-fossil fuel agenda, Trump has signed various executive orders. These include orders that:
Trump said these orders would help reduce consumer energy prices and improve US national security, by expanding domestic supplies and also bolstering allies.
“We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again right to the top, and export American energy all over the world,” he said.
Although it is still unclear what declaring the “national energy emergency” plan — a presidential first — would exactly entail, experts suggest that it gives the president some additional executive powers.
According to the Brennan Center for Justice, a non-profit organisation which has researched emergency powers, “statutes grant the president the authority to suspend some environmental regulations or impose restrictions on crude oil exports,” a report by NPR said.
US already largest oil producer
The US has come a long way from being reliant on oil from the Middle East and currently, does not have any dearth of fossil fuels. In fact, as of now, the country is the largest producer of oil in the world, and is a net exporter of fossil fuels. Since 2016, production of American oil has gone up by 70%.
According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the US’s crude oil production reached an annual record of 13.2 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2024. The production is set to slightly increase this year, reaching 13.5 million b/d, EIA said.
Similarly, LNG exports have gone from almost zero in 2016 to the US becoming the global lead.
