American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers recently provided insights into a meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump, focusing on strategies to re-establish U.S. energy dominance. Sommers discussed the administration’s approach following what he described as a period of neglect toward the fossil fuel industry during the Biden administration.
Sommers was one of 15 industry leaders who participated in this closed-door meeting with the President. During a segment on “Mornings with Maria,” he elaborated on the discussion, highlighting Trump’s commitment to opening federal lands and waters previously restricted, expediting permits for LNG terminals, and ensuring a robust energy supply for the United States. This strategy is viewed as essential, particularly as advancements in artificial intelligence increase the demand for energy.
Sommers emphasized the necessity of investing in domestic fossil fuel production to remain competitive with China in the AI sector. He stressed the importance of diversifying energy sources to support data centers critical to AI development.
The Trump administration recently approved a permit for Venture Global’s CP2 LNG project in Louisiana to export natural gas, reflecting these commitments. Energy Secretary Chris Wright commented on this development, attributing it to Trump’s leadership and efforts to streamline energy projects and maintain the nation’s energy capabilities for the future.
