The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) is expected to set a new historical record for energy consumption in the United States over the next year. A new report also emphasizes that “energy efficiency should not be equated with energy scarcity,” calling on governments and industries to support “all reliable base-load power sources” and promote diversified energy combinations.
Gabriella Hoffman, Director of the Energy and Environment Center at the Independent Women’s Forum, stated in an interview with Fox News Digital, “I believe that energy efficiency and energy abundance are not contradictory. That’s why the concept of ‘energy abundance’ has resonated so strongly in the private sector, public sector, and within the Trump administration.”
She stressed, “Increasing domestic energy production and consumption in the United States is a good thing for our overall economy, it’s not a bad thing.”
Hoffman’s latest report was exclusively released on the Fox News Digital channel on Monday, highlighting the inseparable link between economic prosperity and environmental protection and emphasizing that “energy efficiency should not be equated with energy scarcity.”
The report points out that with the rapid development of manufacturing, technology industries, transportation, air conditioning, and artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, the demand for energy continues to rise. Meeting these demands means the US can reduce its dependence on countries like China, Iran, and Russia, which may resort to environmental degradation in pursuit of cheap energy.
“As society becomes more prosperous, we must meet the growing demand for electricity. Increasing energy production and consumption in the US is not a bad thing,” Hoffman said. “We should reject the notion that ‘energy abundance harms the environment’ and should not forcefully promote an economic model that relies entirely on decarbonization and 100% renewable energy.”
She believes that there are still risks in the US energy supply. “We have a large number of energy consumers but lack enough reliable energy to support this consumption, which puts us in a dangerous situation – this is the reason for skyrocketing bills and high energy prices.”
The US Energy Information Administration predicted earlier this month that electricity consumption in the next two years will reach a historical high. It is expected to reach 4.191 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2025 and increase to 4.305 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2026, both higher than the 4.097 trillion kilowatt-hours in 2024. The main driver of growth comes from the rapid development of AI data centers.
Hoffman urged the government and industries to support “all reliable base-load power sources” and promote a diversified energy mix, including oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear power, and geothermal energy, rather than unilaterally eliminating traditional energy sources and overly relying on renewable energy.
According to the report, natural gas currently has the highest share in the US power generation structure at 43.1%, followed by nuclear energy (20%), coal (16.2%), and geothermal energy (0.4%). The report also predicts that under a “net-zero emissions” policy, the US economy could face a $7.7 trillion GDP loss by 2040, potentially losing 1.2 million job opportunities by 2028, and electricity prices could increase by 19%.
Hoffman believes that US energy independence must be collectively promoted nationwide. “All 50 states should strive for energy self-sufficiency. Relying solely on traditional energy states like Texas and Pennsylvania is not enough.”
She pointed out that while states can autonomously decide on energy policies, if they overly rely on unstable energy sources like solar and wind energy, they would ultimately face the risk of energy shortages.
From a policy perspective, Hoffman praised the Trump administration’s implementation of “energy deregulation” and “market-driven” policies, stating that “they are making up for lost time, allowing the market – not the government – to decide which energies are effective and which ones can gain public acceptance and support, ensuring that electricity and related products are delivered to the American people in a timely manner.”
She said that simplifying approval processes, reducing cumbersome regulations, and allowing businesses fair access to public land and water leases could help achieve the goal of energy abundance.
Hoffman believes that excessive regulation remains one of the biggest obstacles to US energy development. “The National Environmental Policy Act was originally the cornerstone of permit reform, but due to lack of modernization, it has hindered our ability to build new nuclear, coal, natural gas, geothermal, and hydroelectric facilities.”
She called for “permit reform to not only release more domestic energy but also ensure national security interests in a responsible and safe manner.”
Regarding criticism from environmental groups about “energy abundance,” Hoffman stated that the debate has reached a critical point. “It’s time for them to move forward with the times. Although some groups may find it difficult to change their position due to vested interests or funding sources, ultimately reality will force them to compromise.”
She noted that many traditional environmentalists now recognize the necessity of natural gas. “With energy demand and electricity prices continuing to rise, reality will prove that relying solely on renewable energy is not enough to sustain our economy.”