Did you Know?
Did you know that removing barriers to energy and critical mineral production could unlock vast untapped potential—enough to power tens of millions of homes, fuel economic growth by hundreds of billions of dollars annually, and position the U.S. as a global leader while reducing reliance on foreign adversaries and strengthening national security?
The Facts: Unlocking Energy and Critical Mineral Potential
Oil Production: The U.S. has the capacity to increase crude oil production by over 2 million barrels per day if regulatory barriers are removed. This increase would be enough to fuel 100 million cars daily, cementing the U.S.’s position as a global leader in oil production.
Natural Gas Expansion: The U.S. is already the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), exporting 11.9 billion cubic feet per day in 2024. Removing barriers could further expand LNG exports by 25%, providing enough energy to power every home in Texas for a year.
Renewable Energy Growth: Wind and solar energy accounted for 18% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023. Streamlined permitting could accelerate renewable energy projects, increasing this share to over 25% by 2030—enough to power 50 million homes annually.
Nuclear Power Potential: Nuclear energy currently provides 19% of U.S. electricity generation. Investing in advanced nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), could double nuclear output by 2050, generating energy equivalent to powering every home on the East Coast for an entire year.
The Facts: Strengthening the U.S. Against Adversarial Countries
Reducing Reliance on Foreign Energy: Currently, the U.S. imports over 80% of its rare earth minerals from China and relies on Russia for 27% of enriched uranium used in nuclear reactors. Expanding domestic production would eliminate these dependencies, ensuring resilience against geopolitical pressures. If the U.S. achieves self-sufficiency in rare earth minerals, it could rival China, which currently accounts for 61% of global rare earth production.
Neutralizing Russia’s Energy Leverage: Russia uses its vast natural resources to exert geopolitical influence, particularly in Europe. Increasing U.S. LNG exports by 25% would provide enough energy to replace a significant portion of Russian gas exports to Europe, weakening Russia’s ability to manipulate global energy markets.
Lagging in Renewable Energy Deployment: The U.S. is 5 to 10 years behind China in renewable energy deployment. China leads the world in solar panel production, manufacturing over 70% of global supply, while the U.S. produces less than 10%. Removing barriers to domestic manufacturing and installation could close this gap and position the U.S. as a leader in clean energy.
Falling Behind in Nuclear Energy: The U.S. is 10 to 15 years behind China and Russia in deploying advanced nuclear technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). While China plans to build 24 new nuclear plants by 2030, the U.S. has only two under development, with none currently under construction.
Regulatory Hurdles Creating a Gap
Due to burdensome policies and inefficient permitting processes, energy and critical mineral projects in the U.S. take an average of 7 to 10 years longer to complete than comparable projects in China or Russia.
- Russia: Permitting for energy and mining projects typically takes 1 to 3 years, depending on the complexity of the project. Russia’s centralized regulatory framework allows for expedited approvals, particularly for projects deemed strategically important.
- China: Permitting processes in China are even faster, often completed within 6 months to 2 years. China’s streamlined system prioritizes rapid development, especially for critical mineral and renewable energy projects, enabling the country to maintain its dominance in global supply chains.