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Abstract
President Trump appears intent on bucking up the struggling nuclear and coal industries, as rival nations and U.S. states and businesses push for greater use of renewable energy. Public concern about climate change and an increasingly abundant supply of natural gas are dominating political and economic decisions about energy use on the federal and state levels. Trump wants the United States to become independent of foreign energy sources and an exporter of oil and natural gas. The so-called shale revolution resulting from “fracking” could make that happen, energy analysts say. The administration also sees commercial shipments of liquefied natural gas as an important tool in a diplomatic effort to reduce Russian influence in Europe. But critics say Trump’s plan to help the coal industry will raise energy prices and harm innovation.