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The 5 Biggest Changes in U.S. Energy

Amy Harder shows how the nation’s energy needs have transformed since 2008.  

America’s oil and natural-gas boom.  T he boom has enabled Obama to enact tougher environmental rules … and tout progress on combating climate change, even if in the long run it’s not a clear success .  

The rise of EPA and the fall of climate-friendly Republicans. The last six years have also seen the near extinction of Republicans who openly acknowledge global warming is real and advocate for action … The threat of EPA played a role by galvanizing Republicans and coal-state Democrats around a common enemy, instead of a common goal.  

Environmental movement flipping from top down to bottom up. Comprehensive climate change is dead …  Environmentalists support EPA’s plans to regulate carbon emissions, but this effort doesn’t have the rallying appeal individual projects do.  

Imports and exports of fossil fuels. Because the government bans most exports of crude oil, exports of products refined from oil … have increased more than 60% since 2008. Meanwhile, EIA predicts the U.S. will import just 28% (vs 60% in 2008).  

Renewable-energy growth, which is objectively significant but still relatively small.
Crossposted at Wonk Wire.

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