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While headlines often scream about crises in the oil and gas sector, the real emergency in the US lies elsewhere: in the outdated, unreliable and vulnerable power grid. Ironically, if Oil and gas production is reaching record levelsthe energy sector and the country as a whole face a broader challenge – and a significant opportunity – in modernizing the infrastructure that distributes power to millions of homes, businesses and, most importantly, artificial intelligence.
Oil and gas are already on the rise
The oil and gas industry in the United States is booming. Advances in technology and operational efficiency have enabled this growth while requiring fewer employees, with many operations managed remotely or even abroad. The rallying cry “drill, baby, drill” still symbolizes economic opportunity and investment, but in today’s reality it no longer equates to “jobs, baby, jobs.”
Despite this evolution in the workforce, the oil industry remains a cornerstone of the U.S. economy and a vital contributor to energy security. However, focusing solely on oil and gas production does not address the broader challenge of energy supply reliability, rising demand and preparing for a rapidly evolving energy future. That’s where the president and policymakers have an unprecedented opportunity to make a generational impact.
The real emergency: America’s power grid
America’s electric grid is in dire need of investment and modernization. Built largely in the 1960s and 1970s, it struggles to meet today’s demands for reliability and resilience – let alone the exponential growth expected from new technologies such as artificial intelligencequantum computing and possibly fusion energy. Power outages are becoming more frequent and severe as aging infrastructure buckles under the pressure of extreme weather and rising consumption.
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This isn’t just an infrastructure problem; it’s a economic opportunity. By unleashing enormous resources and problem-solving determination toward the electric grid, the president could solve a decades-long challenge while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The recently announced Stargate AI project is an excellent example. The solution lies in a three-pronged approach:
1. Massive investments and streamlined regulations
First, a bold commitment to modernizing the electricity grid is needed. This means allocating significant federal funding and removing red tape to expedite construction and upgrades.
Rather than focusing solely on one sector, a comprehensive approach to energy infrastructure can boost the innovation economy, create thousands of jobs and create a safer and more prosperous future.
Accelerating these projects at the federal level, while coordinating approvals and bureaucracy with states and provinces, would unleash economic activity across states and ensure critical infrastructure is in place to support future energy demand.
The president alluded to this possibility in his Stargate announcement, but building electric infrastructure is not just a matter of federal interest, as a recent spate of failed projects shows. It will require a level of creativity, funding and sheer will that has eluded many presidential ambitions.
2. Monitoring and tax-based performance incentives
Second, a system of oversight and tax-based incentives must be put in place to hold participants accountable. Companies receiving federal support must meet measurable benchmarks for reliability, capacity and innovation. This would not only ensure that public dollars are well spent, but also encourage private sector efficiency and ingenuity.
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3. Strengthening resilience and enabling innovation
Finally, the electric grid must be strengthened against extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly common due to climate change – from the recent hurricanes that leveled Western North Carolina to the tragic wildfires in Los Angeles. In addition to resilience, investments should pave the way for emerging technologies such as next-generation nuclear power, high-tech manufacturing and quantum computing, which will ensure American competitiveness and national security for decades to come.
Jobs and economic growth
Perhaps most importantly for the local communities it affects, upgrading the electricity grid has the potential to generate thousands of new jobs. From engineers and construction workers to IT specialists and maintenance workers, an overhaul of the electricity grid would create jobs across multiple sectors. It would also boost indirect economic benefits in the manufacturing, logistics and services sectors.
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In addition, a modern electricity grid would provide greater energy security and lower costs for consumers and businesses, promoting economic growth and innovation. This stability would create a larger, more predictable market for all energy sources, including oil and gas. has increasingly begun to explore ways to alleviate energy demand constraints – a role for which they would be ideally suited.
An ‘all of the above’ energy approach
Ironically, the real solution may lie in the multi-decade energy strategy – all of the above – that unleashes the country’s full energy potential to meet the challenge. Greater network reliability would enable the seamless integration of renewables, nuclear and traditional energy sources, creating a balanced energy mix that supports economic activity while addressing environmental concerns.
In addition, the oil and gas sector’s continued ability to produce at high levels while keeping costs low will remain essential to energy security investor confidence. This dual approach – modernizing the electric grid while maintaining robust oil and gas production – is a win-win for households still struggling with rising costs across the board.
A legacy opportunity for the president
The challenge of modernizing America’s electric grid is enormous, but so are the opportunities. By addressing this critical infrastructure need, the President could maximize his final term in office and leave a legacy of economic growth, innovation and resilience. This effort would not only solve the energy reliability crisis, but also position the U.S. as a global leader in the energy technologies of the future.
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Rather than focusing solely on one sector, a comprehensive approach to energy infrastructure can boost the innovation economy, create thousands of jobs and create a safer and more prosperous future. It’s a generational challenge with multi-generational incentive, and the time to act is now.
