Policymakers have long been concerned with the impacts of energy imports on U.S. trade, especially beginning in the late 1950s as the country moved to negative energy trade imbalances. Despite attempting to remedy these imbalances, they exacerbated the 1970s energy shortages creating ongoing concerns of potential future vulnerabilities.
However, beginning in the 2000s, new extraction technologies knowing as hydrofracking were applied to shale geological formations. With innovation and enhancements these technologies have led to a resurgence of U.S. crude oil and natural gas production.
This resurgence is broadly visible in a variety of realms. With respect to U.S. trade, the U.S. energy trade balance began moving from a deficit to a surplus in late 2018. Where during 2010, the U.S. reported a $20-plus billion monthly deficit, which breached $30 billion in 2012, the bounty of U.S. energy production has caused the balance to rise to a current $9.5 billion surplus with the trend continuing upward
On Tuesday, May 23 2025 (DC time), the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ) and Energy Policy Research cohosted a virtual discussion on the role of LNG and natural gas in Asia and how Asia views LNG potentials from the United States in and after 2025.
The presentations from the webinar can be found below, and the recording of the event can be viewed here.
On Wednesday, April 2 2025, Energy Policy Research Foundation Distinguished Fellow and Asia-Pacific Energy Resource Centre Senior Vice President Glen Sweetnam provided witness testimony at the House Committee on Natural Resources Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on “Unleashing the Golden Age of American Energy Dominance.”
In his testimony, one of the reasons that Glen was positive about future oil production is that the U.S. oil industry is highly competitive and has demonstrated technological innovation and advanced industrial capabilities. The most efficient and productive oil companies in the world are in the U.S., and between 2010 and 2020, the U.S. served 90% of incremental demand.
Glen’s testimony was highlighted on Forbes Breaking News (Glen’s reply starts at 2:33)
Another article about the hearing appeared on JustTheNews, which quotes Glen’s response to Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández of Puerto Rico.
Glen’s testimony and accompanying slide deck can be found below, along with the testimony of the other witnesses at the hearing. A full video of the hearing can be found here.
The Energy Policy Research Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of François Baird as our newest Distinguished Fellow! François brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team as we expand our work into new geographical areas of focus and adjust to the shifts in the world of energy policy. His bio can be found below:
François Baird is an Africa expert, leader, trusted advisor and entrepreneur. He consults to governments, international institutions, and companies internationally on public affairs, issue and crisis management, community creation, communication strategy, reputation risk assessment and management, and market entry strategies. He has worked in a range of sectors including energy, development, health, financial services, ICT, agriculture, mining, consumer goods and education.
François started his career on the gold mines, attained a degree in international politics and political science at the University of Pretoria and served as a commissioned officer in the SA Air Force. He founded his own business in 1987, following various corporate management positions at Gold Fields of SA, Small Business Development Corporation, and Sappi, the South African multi-national forestry products company. He is emeritus Chairman of Africa, of Daniel J Edelman Inc and emeritus Board member of The Montpelier Foundation, where he served a term as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairman.
François is founder and chairman of Baird’s CMC Ltd, Baird’s US LLC and Calbridge Investments (Pty) Ltd. He serves on the Board of the Presidential Precinct and is an advisor to its Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) program. François is also the founder of the FairPlay anti-dumping trade movement, the Good Hope Wine Club in Washington DC and a Board member of Airborne Lifeline Foundation. Baird’s CMC is an international communications management consultancy with partners across the world. He is Co-Chairman, Africa of Taylor Advisories, the boutique American M&A firm.
François can be reached at [email protected], on LinkedIn here, or on X (Twitter) here.
On March 5 2025, the Energy Policy Research Foundation hosted a book event with Jack Spencer, author of Nuclear Revolution: Powering the Next Generation.
Jack, Heritage Foundation’s Senior Research Fellow for Energy and Environmental Policy, drew upon on his extensive experience advising national policymakers—including testimony before the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future and Congress—to chart a clear path forward for nuclear energy in America. He was joined by Kirk Sorensen of Flibe Energy, who added commentary from his experience in the nuclear industry.
The book reveals how nuclear power, once an economically competitive energy source, became increasingly costly due to regulatory burden—and how targeted policy reforms can restore its affordability while maintaining safety. Through detailed analysis, Spencer demonstrates how free enterprise can drive innovation in the nuclear sector more effectively than government management.
Nuclear Revolution: Powering the Next Generation can be purchased at this link.
A quick video on the Thorium Fuel Cycle by Flibe Energy can be found here.
Energy Policy Research Distinguished Fellow Michael Lynch has once again been published in Forbes, this time on the topic of energy tariffs. The piece, entitled: “U.S. Tariffs On Canadian Oil Would Cost Billions Of Dollars”, can be found here.
In it, Lynch discusses the intricacies of oil trade and why the U.S., and particularly U.S. refineries, rely on Canadian oil trade and will end up paying the highest price for these tariffs.
On Feburary 18th, 2025, Energy Policy Research Distinguished Fellow Michael Lynch published an article entitled “Trump Isn’t The Enemy Of EVs, Consumers Are (Range Anxiety)” in Forbes. The article can be found at this link.
In the article, Lynch explores the issues with range and range anxiety facing current consumers and prospective consumers of electric vehicles. The piece also cites a paper coathored by Lynch and Energy Policy Research Board of Trustees Member Ivan Sandrea in 2021: “The Pandemic and the End of Oil? The Pandemic, Peak Oil Demand, and the Oil Industry”.
EPRINC’s Research Director Max Pyziur participated as a panelist in Manhattan Alternative Investment Network’s (MAIN) in-person event “Investing Opportunities in a World Short of Power” held in NYC on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, Energy Policy Research hosted a workshop, Fueling the AI Boom and Manufacturing Renaissance: US Power Sector Constraints & Solutions, part of our Power Vision 2030 Workshop Series. Its purpose was to inform the incoming administration on the challenges and potential remedies to achieve both affordability and reliability for the US power sector. As part of our ongoing mission, Energy Policy Research Foundation remains committed to addressing critical policy choices facing all segments of the U.S. energy sector.
This in-person workshop featured discussions on the central tasks necessary to meet US growing power demand, major cost and reliability challenges, and realistic pathways to overcome them. The panels centered around the following themes:
More detailed information about the four main themes, along with links to some additional resources, can be found below, including the workshop agenda, our Power Vision 2030 document, a background document with recommended readings, and the presentations from the event. Additionally, a short video animation of some of the electric power trends discussed during the workshop can be found here.
On January 7, 2025, the Institute for Energy Economics Japan and the Energy Policy Research Foundation, cohosted a workshop called U.S. LNG After the Pause: Can the US Still Deliver Affordable Natural Gas to Asia? in Washington, D.C The workshop consisted of two panels to address costs, risks, and opportunities facing both the U.S. natural gas industry in terms of production and also the U.S. LNG infrastructure and buildout. The first panel focused on how U.S. natural gas can meet surging domestic and export demand, and the second panel covered building out the LNG market in Asia, including how financing will play a role in the near future. Tatsuya Terazawa-san, Chairman and CEO of IEEJ, METI officials, and other Japanese participants will join panelists from the IFC, US Chamber of Commerce, US LNG exporters, and US policymakers at this workshop. An agenda for the workshop can be found here.
Our two organizations have a long-term relationship covering this topic. Previous workshops and associated policy papers related to this project can be found on our website.
The presentations from the workshop are attached below.
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we at the Energy Policy Research announce the passing of our dear friend, colleague, and former president, Larry Goldstein, whose extraordinary leadership and analytical vigor have left a lasting impact on our organization and the global energy community.
Larry’s remarkable career spanned decades of major contributions to the energy sector, both in the US and internationally. As a visionary and one of the sharpest minds in energy policy and analysis, his insights shaped discussions on the various aspects of global energy markets, pricing, and security. Through numbers and analyses, Larry strived to help better human wellbeing by fostering energy security and economic prosperity.
Larry’s works at the Energy Policy Research were marked by his extraordinary intellect, his unwavering passion to find the right answers, and his gifted talent in distilling complex energy issues into clear insights. His leadership made our organization a respected voice in energy policy research, and his limitless generosity of knowledge inspired all who had the privilege to collaborate with him.
Reflecting on Larry’s legacy, President Lucian Pugliaresi shared, “On Monday morning our organization, Energy Policy Research, lost a Trustee. I lost my old friend and colleague. The loss is unbearable. I first met Larry in 1974 when he was working with John Lichtblau. They were trying to convince the senior Senator from Washington, Henry “Scoop” Jackson, to pursue legislation to build the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Their insights and hard work prevailed, and it was the early days of trying to bring some rationality on how the country should think about energy security and the essential role of petroleum for the U.S. I suspect we spoke on the phone almost every week since the mid 1970s. In 2006, when the Trustees decided to move the think tank to Washington, DC, Larry convinced me to take over the Presidency of our small organization. Nevertheless, he remained active and routinely gave us ideas on central issues that needed hard work. We had a lot of great arguments and so much fun over many years. It will be a very big hole to fill. My condolences to the entire family.”
Rest in peace, Larry. We will profoundly miss you, but your spirit and ideas will continue to guide us for many years to come!
The Energy Policy Research Team
A video tribute to Larry can be found here.
Larry’s most recent productions for the Energy Policy Research website can be found at “Larry’s Corner”, located here.
Energy Policy Research Foundation Distinguished Fellow and Enerstrat Consulting Founder Ash Shastri has penned a timely piece on shifts in price and public perception in regards to electricity in Germany. His paper, entitled “An Imminent Reversal in German Energy Policy?” can be found here.
On November 7, 2024, EPRINC Distinguished Fellow Ash Shastri penned this piece, entitled “Novak Statement on Ukraine Gas Transit Agreement”. The paper covers the geopolitical and strategic implications for the EU and Britain specifically of the timing of the Russian Deputy Prime Minister’s statement that Russia is ready to supply natural gas to Europe through Ukraine.
On November 1, 2024, the Energy Policy Research hosted the second installment of the popular Electricity Series Workshops, entitled “Challenges in Meeting Surging U.S. Power Demand.”
The purpose of the workshop series is to develop a careful understanding of the growing risks to the resiliency of the US electric power system, the forces driving rising power demand and electricity prices, and proposals for cost-effective regulatory reforms that can bolster the long-term viability of the U.S. electric power system. A background discussion paper can be found here.
This virtual workshop featured presentations on the rising demand for power (from data centers, EVs, manufacturing) and some perspectives on the lost opportunities should electricity become much more expensive and much less reliable. The agenda for the workshop is here.
The presentations given at this workshop can be found attached at the bottom of this post. Additionally, a written summary of the workshop can be found here.
Background Materials:
The first meeting in this series (on August 2, 2024) looked at risks to the power sector with presentations by Thomas Popik (Foundation for Resilient Societies), Isaac Orr (formerly of the American Experiment), Michelle Foss (Rice) and Max Pyziur (EPRINC). These presentations can be found here.
The Energy Policy Research Foundation has initiated its Electric Power Vision 2030 project, which is detailed further in this document. Alongside internal research into electric power demand and the effects of electrification on energy policy and US economics, the project also includes a series of workshops. The first workshop took place on August 2, 2024 and included presentations from a panel of very knowledgable speakers: Max Pyziur (Energy Policy Research Foundation), Michelle Foss (Rice University Baker Institute), Isaac Orr (Always On Energy Research) and Thomas Popik (Foundation for Resilient Societies). Those presentations can be found attached to this post.
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