The U.S. refining fleet depends heavily on imported heavy and medium crude. Combined, Canada and Mexico make up the biggest portion, but additional sources are still required. Venezuela once supplied a substantial 630 thousand barrels per day.
Due to rising humanitarian and political concerns, In November 2019 the first Trump administration placed sanctions on Venezuela, quickly driving imports to 0.
In October 2023, the Biden administration negotiated some liberalization of the country and release of political prisoners in return for sanctions relief. Cautiously some oil began flowing again, however the optimism was short lived. Maduro refused to leave office after losing the democratic 2024 elections, and the situation has remained unchanged until recent U.S. military action to depose Maduro.
Energy Policy Research Foundation Director of Research Max Pyziur wrote an op-ed for The National Interest entitled “How Mozambique LNG Enhances Global Energy Security and Supports the US Economy“. In the article published July 30, 2025, he begins: “An export powerhouse such as Japan has a phalanx of government-backed entities to support its own country’s trade and economy. So, why shouldn’t the United States do likewise?”
This article is available with no paywall at this link.
Batt Odgerel, Director of Energy Transition Research at Energy Policy Research, was interviewed for a Reuters article entitled Tesla’s easy money from regulatory credits set to dry up amid weakening sales. “They are making conventional ICE vehicles more competitive while making EVs less competitive,” said Odgerel, referring to the U.S. Congress, the Trump administration, and the U.S. federal government. Tesla risks losing revenue from the credits as well as market share, he added.
The Energy Policy Research Foundation has partnered with the Hellenic Association for Energy Economics (HAEE) for the 10th HAEE Energy Transition Symposium, which took place on the 3rd–5th of June 2025 at the Maroussi Plaza Centre in Athens.
The purpose of this symposium was to drive dialogue, research, and action in energy transition and sustainability. Speakers included influential thought leaders, government officials, and top executives from across the energy world leading the Plenary Sessions. A full list of the speakers as well as other information about the event can be found here.
A recording of the highlights is here.
On May 29th 2025 at the Energy Policy Research Foundation offices in Washington DC, a joint workshop was cohosted by the Energy Policy Research Foundation and the Institute for Energy Research on the North American Energy Production Platform.
Energy policy has taken center stage, and the United States is at a pivotal moment in shaping its energy future. Cross-border trade of oil, natural gas, and electricity has made North America one of the most dynamic energy markets in the world. As each country responds to market dynamics and geopolitical shifts, the role of energy imports and exports across the three countries has never been more critical to understand.
With panels moderated by IER President Tom Pyle and EPRINC President Lucian Pugliaresi, energy policy experts participated in an in-depth look at the evolving landscape of energy development across the continent. The event provided a forum for candid dialogue on shared opportunities and challenges in shaping sustainable, secure, and economically sound energy strategies for North America.
The discussion, focused on North American energy trade, covered specifically:
The agenda of the workshop can be found here, and the presentations given can be downloaded here and here.
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 Francois.Baird@bairdsus.com, 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.
Get the latest news and updates on energy economics and policy issues.
A series of short executive briefings providing essential background information on often challenging debates on energy and security policy.
A list of personal publications by EPRINC trustee Larry Goldstein
Energy Policy Research Foundation Distinguished Fellow Ashutosh Shastri’s perspectives on energy in Europe
Follow us on Twitter to get the latest updates from us in real-time.
