Trump touts TX energy permits while attacking Dems

President Donald Trump visited a fracking hub on West Texas plains on Wednesday to sign four critical permits granting approval to vital pipeline and railway infrastructure on nation's border.  My ministration is anuncing today that export authorizations for American liquefied natural gas can w be extended through year 2050," said Trump.

"This will include two permits allowing export of Texas crude to Mexico, a giant victory for workers of this state that you've been after for many years."  president went on to say electing Democrats would take ir energy jobs away. "While, my ministration is fighting for workers like you. rical left. Have you ever heard of rical left,You don't want to hear about m," said Trump.

"You don't want to kw about m. Is fighting to abolish American energy, destroy oil and gas industries and wipe out your jobs." Even as Air Force One carried Trump to Texas on Wednesday, U.S. Energy Information ministration reported U.S. petroleum use plummeted to a nearly 40-year low this spring, owing to pandemic lockdown and to market oversupply due in part to intensive oil and gas production that Trump encourd.

Oil and gas prices and production have picked up somewhat since, but it's still a tough time in U.S. oilfields. Trump’s government has exerted itself for oil and gas industry at least as hard it has for any or sector. That includes rolling back environmental and public health protections while promoting a techlogy-driven surge in U.S. oil and gas production - begun under President Barack Obama - as part of what Trump describes as an American march to global energy dominance.

His ministration has moved to open up vast wilderness areas to oil and gas interests over objections of environmental groups. Trump also has sought to override various regional objections to oil and gas pipelines with executive orders. And next month, ministration is expected to anunce its latest effort to block regulation of industry’s emissions of methane, a potent nt of climate change.

West Texas environmental activists say methane emissions are part of a too-little-regulated industry’s assault on air, water and public health in region’s yearslong expansion of oil and gas production. Successful legal challenges stopped ministration's earlier attempts. Trump is also combining some fundraising with his first trip to an oil and gas rig and to his first visit as president to Permian Basin. He'll pull in up to $100,000 per person at a roundtable with supporters. He is expected to raise about $7 million.