The figures above were collected in an NAM poll conducted in March 2024, which collected 1,000 responses from a nationwide sample of registered voters.
Energy and Natural Resources
Manufacturers utilize and benefit from all forms of energy, while making smart investments to become more energy efficient and protect the environment. The future of the manufacturing industry and our country’s resource security rely on clarity and certainty from policymakers that strengthens our competitiveness.
Key Facts
87%
of respondents agree the U.S. should continue to export natural gas
86%
of respondents agree that we should change the permitting system
76%
of respondents agree with building more energy infrastructure here in the U.S.
74%
of respondents agree with boosting production of domestic oil and natural gas in the U.S.
72%
of respondents prefer that American energy policy uses an all-of-the-above strategy
Capitalizing on U.S.
Energy and Innovation Leadership
The U.S. is the world’s leading energy producer, creating an advantage for manufacturers in the global marketplace. Today, manufacturers benefit from all forms of energy and natural resources—while making smart investments to become more energy efficient and keep protecting the environment. Meanwhile, manufacturers are developing new technologies that make energy cleaner, more affordable and reliable with each passing year. When we fail to produce energy here, it is produced elsewhere with a much greater negative impact on the environment.
The future of the manufacturing industry and our country’s resource security rely on clarity and certainty from policymakers that strengthen our competitiveness. With a renewed commitment to increasing domestic energy production and delivery, to focusing on critical mineral and material supply chains and to advancing new technologies, the United States can continue to lead the world for decades to come.
If we want more critical minerals for chip manufacturing, more domestic energy development and transport . . . more manufacturing facilities and jobs back home, better highways, bridges, airports [and] waterways, then we need permitting reform to make them a reality in the near future.
As we’re looking increasingly at alternative fuels and electric vehicles here in the U.S., we need an electric grid that can support the transition to a lower-carbon economy. Continuing to invest in [strengthening] the grid will help us invest in the right technologies. We need to be able to move forward quickly in a way that doesn’t cause disruption to the supply chain and transportation.
What Should We Do Now?
Manufacturers are leading the way in finding innovative ways to harness U.S. energy, and the right federal policies can aid and advance that progress significantly. Below are critical policy recommendations that Congress and the president should act on to ensure an energy future with continued certainty for manufacturers.
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1Produce comprehensive reforms to our permitting system that expedite all projects, including bringing on new and traditional energy sources.
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2Remove regulatory barriers that slow access to the rich diversity of domestic energy, minerals and other natural resources to strengthen the energy advantage of manufacturers in the U.S.
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3Repair the broken permitting process for energy and resources projects to minimize delays and reduce litigation.
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4Promote access to federal lands for responsible mineral and energy exploration and efficient electric transmission and storage.
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5Support measures to enhance the domestic deployment of energy-efficient technologies in the public and private sectors and support their deployment globally.
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6Expedite the legal and regulatory processes for exporting energy technologies and promoting trade in energy and environmental goods.
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7Provide for a reliable, modern electric grid that ensures manufacturers can access reliable, affordable energy when they need it, even as policies and markets change.
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8Support domestic critical mineral extraction, processing and global supply chain diversification that advance opportunities for new nearshore and onshore operations.
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9Expand the useful lifecycle of critical mineral components with federal programs and funds that bring the best technologies to the market and facilitate sustainable processing and recycling methods.
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10Increase additional energy infrastructure to allow the country to transport commodities with greater efficiency and safety—and to pave the way for a hydrogen-friendly energy future.
Share Your Voice
By sharing our voices, manufacturers play a vital role in advocating for critical investments and capitalize on the nation’s energy advantage.
We encourage you to share with us your thoughts on why fighting for an energy future with continued certainty for the industry is critical for manufacturing’s competitiveness. In doing so, you’re helping to equip the NAM with our most powerful advocacy tool: the manufacturing voice.
