An internal memo that recently surfaced has disclosed that the White House under Democrat President Joe Biden has implemented a policy prohibiting senior administration officials from participating in conferences that endorse the utilization of fossil fuels.
This directive, originating from the White House National Security Council (NSC), forbids senior administration members from traveling to international events focused on energy that promote “carbon-intensive” fuels, encompassing oil, natural gas, and coal.
The details of this prohibition came to light through a memo issued within the Department of Energy (DOE) on September 15, which was intended for internal distribution among DOE personnel. The author of the memo, Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk, outlined the travel restrictions and specified that officials must secure approval from the NSC before attending any global energy-related event.
“This guidance sets out a presumption that agencies and departments will pursue international energy engagement that advances clean energy projects,” Turk wrote in the memo.
“It also outlines a process for seeking limited exceptions to pursue carbon-intensive engagements on a justified geostrategic imperative or energy-for-development/energy access basis.”
“The guidance rules out any U.S. Government ‘engagement related to unabated or partially abated coal generation,’” he continued.
“Carbon-intensive international energy engagements are those ‘directly related and dedicated to the production, transportation, or consumption of carbon-intensive fuels that would lead to additional greenhouse gas emissions.’”
As per the memo, the term “carbon-intensive fossil fuels” encompasses coal, oil, and natural gas.
Furthermore, it’s mentioned in the memo that this guidance was put into effect in November 2021, and it applies to all international energy-related activities.
Deputy Secretary David Turk issued a separate memo in April 2022, providing initial details on how the Department of Energy (DOE) would adhere to the NSC guidance. It also specified that events promoting carbon-intensive fuels might only be exempt if they serve national security interests or are deemed crucial to providing energy access in regions with vulnerabilities.
Turk’s September memo updated that guidance, stating that for all future engagements, “Departments and Agencies are required to submit exemption justifications to the NSC and receive NSC concurrence before proceeding with a covered engagement.”
Since assuming office, President Biden has been actively advancing an environmentally-focused agenda aimed at combatting climate change. His administration has prioritized the development of green energy technologies such as solar and wind, with a corresponding effort to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels categorized by the government as “carbon-intensive.”
To align with global climate goals, as outlined in Agenda 2030, President Biden has set ambitious targets, including a mandate that 50% of all new U.S. car purchases be zero-emission vehicles by 2030. Additionally, the administration has established a goal for the power sector to be entirely carbon-free by 2035.
However, it’s important to note that currently, over 99% of cars on U.S. roads are powered by internal combustion engines (primarily gasoline), with a similar percentage of new car sales being gasoline-powered, according to J.D. Power. Furthermore, roughly 60% of the nation’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, while approximately 17% comes from renewable sources like wind and solar power.
