FACT CHECK #J-TI40OD

WHAT WE FOUND

The claim that Democratic policies ended American energy production is factually incorrect, as fossil fuels continue to account for nearly 80% of U.S. energy consumption and roughly 60% of electricity generation 2. While Republican critics argue that the Democratic party has demonized domestic oil and gas production and promoted policies that could lead to marketplace shortages or energy crises 13, there is no evidence that production has ceased. Even highly critical reports from the Heritage Foundation estimate that Democratic energy plans would result in job losses and GDP decline rather than the total termination of the industry 9. Furthermore, Democratic leadership has been criticized for opposing specific types of production, such as shale gas and nuclear waste management, but these sources simultaneously acknowledge that the U.S. remains heavily reliant on a diverse energy mix 58. Democratic lawmakers have also actively advocated for the expansion of clean energy and offshore wind production, characterizing attempts to block these sectors as a threat to overall U.S. power production 4.

SOURCES

1. 1 · oversight.house.govACADEMIC
   Comer Releases Report on Democrats’ War on American Energy Production - United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

   TIER A

2. 2 · rpc.senate.govACADEMIC
   Democrats' Radical Climate Plans

   TIER A

3. 3 · republicanleader.senate.govACADEMIC
   Democrats’ War on Domestic Energy Hurts American Producers and Families | Republican Leader

   TIER A

4. 4 · seec.house.govACADEMIC
   Democrats face a new energy era | Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC)

   TIER A

5. 5 · brookings.eduACADEMIC
   Democrats in Office Need to Get Real about U.S. Energy Policy | Brookings

   TIER A

6. 6 · thehill.comWEB
   Reckless Democratic energy policies are raising costs and hurting consumers

   TIER B

7. 7 · grist.orgWEB
   Energy is central to American politics. That all started with Jimmy Carter. | Grist

   TIER B

8. 8 · forbes.comWEB
   Democrats’ And GOP Energy Policies Clash At Midterms

   TIER B

9. 9 · gaillelaw.comWEB
   Side-by-Side Comparison of Democratic and Republican Energy Policies – Gaille Energy Law

   TIER B

10. 10 · cepr.orgWEB
    The political economy of climate policy: Evidence from the American Clean Energy and Security Act | CEPR

    TIER B