API chief urges U.S. energy leadership amid global instability

(WO) — Mike Sommers, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute (API), addressed the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association in Santa Fe today, emphasizing the critical role of U.S. energy security amid rising global tensions.

With conflicts in key energy-producing regions and growing threats to supply chains, Sommers highlighted the need for strong domestic energy policies to safeguard national and global stability.

Sommers pointed to recent polling by Morning Consult, revealing that 90% of voters in battleground states want presidential candidates to address energy issues. The poll also showed that 80% of voters support tapping into America’s domestic resources over relying on foreign energy.

"We see ongoing conflicts worldwide that remind us secure, reliable energy access is central to our nation’s security," Sommers said. "But this security cannot be taken for granted. We need policies that ensure we meet tomorrow’s energy needs, not just today’s."

Sommers cited escalating tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing war in Ukraine, noting that U.S. oil and natural gas production plays a key role in global energy stability. He highlighted Lea County, New Mexico, as a major contributor, producing more oil than five OPEC nations combined.

Discussing the transformative impact of hydraulic fracturing on U.S. energy production, Sommers urged the next administration to prioritize policies like the API's Five-Point Policy Roadmap, which aims to strengthen American energy leadership and curb inflation.

"No one can win the presidency without supporting fracking," Sommers said, stressing the need for reforms in permitting, LNG exports, and tax policies to ensure continued energy leadership.