Wed Sep 18 02:50:41 UTC 2024: ## Harris’s Stance on Fracking Eases Industry Concerns, Despite Past Opposition
**HOUSTON** – Despite past opposition to fracking, Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent statements have calmed concerns within the energy industry, with executives expressing confidence that she will not ban the production method if elected president.
Harris, facing a tight race against former President Donald Trump in battleground states like Pennsylvania, has shifted her stance on fracking, emphasizing the need for energy diversification and acknowledging the role of fracking in lowering reliance on foreign oil. Her stance has been bolstered by her support for the Inflation Reduction Act, which opened new leases for fracking.
Industry leaders, including CEO’s from Baker Hughes, Cheniere Energy, and Woodside, have expressed relief at Harris’s apparent change of heart. They argue that banning fracking would lead to soaring natural gas prices, devastating the economy and hindering the energy transition.
The executives also called for the Biden administration to expedite the approval process for LNG exports, urging an end to the pause on new permits implemented earlier this year. They contend that this delay is counterproductive, hindering the US’s ability to become a major global energy player.
The ongoing debate over fracking highlights the complex nature of the energy transition, with industry and environmental concerns often clashing. While Harris’s recent statements have provided some reassurance to the industry, the future of fracking in a potential Harris administration remains a subject of ongoing discussion.
First Piper 