America produces more oil than any nation in history. Yet families are paying more every year to heat their homes and fill their tanks, the grid is straining, and the minerals that power modern technology are refined almost entirely in China. Energy is the price behind every other price.
The shale revolution turned America into the world's largest producer of oil and natural gas and, since 2023, the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. That was built by American workers in Texas, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and New Mexico, and it gave the U.S. leverage no army could buy.
But production records haven't translated into lower bills at home. Electricity prices have climbed sharply since 2019. Gasoline topped a $5 national average in June 2022 and averaged nearly $4 for the year. Permitting delays keep new pipelines, power plants and transmission lines tied up for years, while demand from data centers and new factories is rising fast.
An America First energy policy measures success by one thing: what American families and factories pay.
Annual averages, all formulations, rounded. Source: EIA, Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update [4]. Late-2025 and 2026 prices not shown.
Move the sliders to match your household and compare what you'd pay at 2019 prices versus 2024 prices.
National annual averages, approximate. Your state's rate may be much higher or lower. Source: EIA [3].
The average U.S. home uses roughly 850–900 kWh a month (EIA).
Uses national average prices: electricity 13.0¢ (2019) vs 16.5¢ (2024) per kWh, regular gasoline $2.60 vs $3.30 per gallon. Illustrative only.
After decades of flat electricity demand, it's rising again, driven by new factories, electrification and AI data centers. The grid wasn't built for it.
Data centers used about 4.4% of U.S. electricity in 2023. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory projects 6.7% to 12% by 2028. Families shouldn't foot the bill for Big Tech's power plants [5].
At the end of 2023, roughly 2,600 gigawatts of proposed power projects were waiting in queues to connect to the grid, about twice the capacity of the entire existing U.S. power fleet [5].
Nuclear supplies about a fifth of U.S. electricity with zero emissions and near-constant output. But Georgia's Vogtle Units 3 and 4, the first new reactors built from scratch in decades, finished years late and billions over budget. We have to learn to build again [7].
Rare earths, lithium, graphite and other critical minerals go into everything from F-35s and missiles to phones, motors and batteries. The International Energy Agency estimates China handles roughly 90% of rare-earth refining and the majority of global lithium and graphite processing [8].
America has the deposits. What we've lost is the mines, refineries and permits to use them. Beijing has already restricted exports of several critical minerals in response to U.S. trade policy, a preview of what dependence costs in a crisis.
The SPR exists for true supply emergencies. In 2022, the federal government sold 180 million barrels to bring down gasoline prices. By mid-2023, the reserve had fallen to about 347 million barrels, its lowest level since 1983 [9].
Approximate inventory in millions of barrels. Source: U.S. Department of Energy [9].
"The president sets the price of gas."
Tap to see the facts ↻Gas prices mostly follow global crude prices, which no single president controls. Policy matters at the margin: permitting, leasing, refinery capacity and regulations shape supply over years, not weeks. Be skeptical of anyone of either party who takes full credit or assigns full blame.
"Energy independence means we never import oil."
Tap to see the facts ↻Many U.S. refineries are built to process heavier crude than our shale produces, so America still imports millions of barrels a day while exporting light crude. "Independence" means being a net exporter that can't be held hostage, and America has been one since 2019.
"America First energy means opposing every new technology."
Tap to see the facts ↻America First means all of the above, judged on cost, reliability and who makes it. Gas, oil, nuclear, hydro, geothermal and solar all have a role. What we oppose is mandates that raise bills, and subsidies for equipment made in China.
Cap federal environmental reviews at two years and limit endless litigation, for pipelines, power plants and transmission alike.
Modernize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's licensing for advanced and small modular reactors, and build a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.
Speed up interconnection and build long-distance transmission so new power can actually reach homes and factories.
Data centers should cover the full cost of the power and grid upgrades they require, not pass them on to household ratepayers.
Fast-track domestic critical-mineral mines and processing, and stockpile key minerals for defense.
Rebuild the Strategic Petroleum Reserve when prices are low, and reserve it for real emergencies.
Expand LNG exports to allies so they buy from America, not from adversaries.
Taxpayer incentives should go only to energy equipment built by American workers or trusted allies.