Trump’s ‘Energy Dominance’ Agenda Sounds Like a Petrostate Plan to Some

Critics say the U.S. is on its way to becoming a petrostate.

The fossil fuel industry’s influence is bound to be amplified under Trump , who does not view climate change as a serious problem.

The oil and gas industry currently accounts for just 8 percent of the United States economy.

More than 60 percent of the $138 billion in taxes that the fossil fuel industry pays annually goes to state, local and tribal governments.

Wyoming gets 59 percent of its state budget from fossil fuel revenue; North Dakota , 29 percent ; and Alaska , 21 percent .

Fracking, which unleashed a flood of oil and gas on the U.S. market beginning in 2010 , laid the groundwork for Trump ’s “energy dominance” agenda.

A number of forces may work against the oil and gas industry’s interests during the new Trump administration.

Other industries may succeed in holding off some of the planned regulatory rollbacks.

States that have new clean energy projects or a long-term commitment to fighting climate change will make their voices heard.

Trump frequently said he wanted to return to the “beautiful number” of $ 1.87 per gallon gasoline.