On Friday, September 11, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette joined the Export Import (EXIM) Bank’s Annual Conference to deliver remarks and answer questions about key issues impacting today’s energy landscape. The theme of this year’s Conference was, “Keeping America Strong: Empowering U.S. Businesses and Workers” – a clear intersection with the Department of Energy’s mission and the driving force behind the Trump Administration’s energy policies.
You can read Secretary Brouillette’s full remarks here. Highlights include:
- Plain and simple, energy security is national security. Energy security requires abundant, affordable, and reliable supply. But it also requires diversity of supply.
- I’m proud to say that under President Trump's leadership, this Administration fully supports energy diversity by deploying every fuel and technology at our disposal.
- In the United States…we are now using our exports to counter the influence of bad actors and strengthen the energy security and the national security of our energy partners wherever they may be found.
- Clearly, when the United States exports energy, it exports freedom. Freedom from coercive energy suppliers and the non-competitive commercial terms they offer, and most of all, freedom for nations to chart their own energy, economic, and geopolitical course.
- EXIM provides expert knowledge of international markets and a tool kit that moves at the speed of business, while supporting our national security aims. This unique combination of financial acumen and global vision is what makes EXIM a critical part of our Administration’s effort.
During a discussion with EXIM Bank Chairwoman Kimberly Reed, Secretary Brouillette said the following:
On LNG Exports: The Trump Administration has been steadfast in its support of LNG exports and the benefits they bring. President Trump, my predecessor – Secretary Perry – and I, have often spoken about the opportunities created by American LNG, such as jobs, investment in infrastructure, and greater energy independence, as well as providing our allies with a reliable choice for their energy supplies.
On Nuclear Energy: America must regain its leadership in nuclear technologies…as we move across the world, we’re going to see more and more companies choose nuclear because of their stringent environmental goals...and we want to see them choose American nuclear technology.
We saw that the U.S. nuclear industry was beginning to lose its place as the world’s leader as Russia and China manipulated financing and consumer costs by bundling spent fuel offtake, fuel assembly supply, and low-cost capital.
In order to combat this malign influence, we need to bring a comprehensive package to potential customers that includes technology, expertise, and of course, financial options.
On China: The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability that an over-reliance on China as a supplier poses to many sectors within the U.S., which is why we are working to help U.S. companies identify alternatives to China’s near monopoly of rare earth elements and critical minerals. This includes funding research to help identify new materials and manufacturing processes, supporting U.S. companies seeking business opportunities in exploration, production, and processing of critical minerals, and working with international partners in rare earth and critical mineral producing countries to view the U.S. as their partner of choice in developing their natural resources.
On Energy Storage: …coordinating with stakeholders is critical as we work to position the United States as a global leader in energy storage technologies of the future. While research and development are the foundation of advancing these technologies, the Trump Administration recognizes global leadership also requires a commitment to commercializing technologies from the lab to the marketplace.