ENERGY INDUSTRY IN THE GULF COAST REGION EXPECTS CONTINUED GROWTH IN 2025

The Gulf Coast energy industry is expected to grow in 2025, though analysts caution that expanding natural gas exports, as Trump plans, could drive up consumer prices. While Trump’s policies may benefit fossil fuel companies through easier permits, tax breaks, and lax environmental regulations, there are concerns these could harm clean energy projects like solar and offshore wind.

Experts, including economist David Dismukes, are cautiously optimistic but wary of the negative impact of Trump’s "drill, baby, drill" approach. While oil companies have become more disciplined, expanding drilling risks a price crash, as seen during previous supply gluts.

Trump’s policies may increase offshore oil leasing, but oil development takes years, and the real opportunity may lie in streamlining permits for projects like LNG export terminals. However, any attempt to bypass environmental reviews could reduce domestic gas supply, increasing electricity prices. Trump has also vowed to repeal Biden’s clean energy policies, but analysts believe a full repeal is unlikely due to its disruptive economic effects.

Additionally, Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China could complicate matters, as these countries supply most of the U.S. petroleum imports, and there’s insufficient domestic production to replace them.