President Donald Trump on Aug. 26 reiterated his administration’s commitment to traditional energy sources, telling supporters that “fossil fuel and nuclear energy is what works.” The remark aligns with the White House’s broader strategy of expanding domestic oil, gas and nuclear production while easing environmental regulations put in place under the Biden-Harris administration. Trump’s comments come as Republican lawmakers promote the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” legislation they say will restore U.S. energy dominance by boosting production and cutting permitting red tape. House members highlighted the measure during National Petroleum Day on Aug. 27, arguing that increased domestic output will lower fuel costs and strengthen U.S. economic and national security. The Department of Energy echoed the emphasis on nuclear power, calling a resilient nuclear supply chain “key” to national security. Critics, however, warn that prioritizing fossil fuels over renewables could slow the global clean-energy transition; a Project Syndicate analysis by economists Mark Blyth and Daniel Driscoll contends the administration’s approach aims to maintain U.S. hegemony by undercutting demand for green technologies.