DEAR EDITOR:

Energy isn’t just about keeping the lights on — it’s about national security, economic strength and global leadership. Here in Ohio, our oil and gas industry has powered American prosperity and helped keep our allies secure. But Washington’s bad policies are holding us back.

The past administration’s restrictions on oil and gas production, including a freeze on Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) export terminals, have made energy more expensive. Europe turned to American LNG when it needed to break free from Russian gas — yet now, bureaucratic red tape continues to threaten our ability to supply them. Meanwhile, Asia’s energy demand is surging, and if we don’t step up, other nations — like China and Russia — will unfortunately fill the gap.

We need common-sense solutions to unleash American energy: Fast-track LNG export terminal approvals so we can meet global demand, protect our strategic petroleum reserve from political abuse and refill it for true emergencies, streamline pipeline permitting to cut costs and deliver energy efficiently, expand nuclear energy by reducing red tape for advanced reactor technology.

Ohio’s energy industry is ready to lead, but Washington needs to get out of the way. Energy security is national security. I hope your readers will unite with me and call our representatives and tell them to put American energy — and American strength — first!

BOB ALLEN

Berlin Center