The problem of climate change in the energy policy of the Biden administration

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Abstract

The U.S. energy policy has undergone profound changes in recent years. The introduction of new technologies in the energy sector, the widespread use of renewable energy sources allowed the United States to reduce its dependence on the import of hydrocarbon resources and increase their export, which, in turn, influenced the evolution of the energy strategy at the beginning of the 21st century. The economic, financial and technological advantages allow the U.S. to influence the global energy market. Since the Obama administration, there have been discussions in the United States regarding the gradual replacement of traditional hydrocarbon resources (oil, gas, coal) with renewable energy sources. "Traditionalists" tend to believe that the U.S. is still committed to the traditional principles of energy policy: diversifying the sources of oil and gas imports, promoting free trade in global energy, the need to maintain special relations with oil and gas exporting countries. Supporters of the intensive introduction of renewable energy sources are betting on the replacement of traditional energy resources with solar panels, batteries, and wind generation. The Trump's energy policy was aimed at the global energy dominance of the United States by increasing oil and gas production and exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the EU and other regions of the world. Under The Joe Biden administration the U.S. government has announced a plan for "clean" energy: reducing carbon emissions and actively transitioning the American economy to renewable energy sources in the context of the global climate agenda The author comes to the conclusion that the radical energy policy of the Joseph Biden administration aimed at solving climate problems is based on excessive expectations of the possible results of the widespread use of renewable energy sources, while the U.S. economy is still largely depending on fossil fuels, especially oil. The United States do not have a comprehensive energy strategy that simultaneously aims to ensure climate and energy security with avoiding direct confrontation and conflict with other countries.

About the authors

Oleg A. Khlopov

Russian State University for the Humanities

Email: rggu2007@rambler.ru
Moscow, Russian Federation

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