America First Policy Institute Global Energy Summit
Oct 22, 2025, 9:30AM
Washington D.C., District of Columbia
Restoring American Energy Dominance
On October 22, 2025, the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) hosted the Global Energy Summit, convening top leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and experts committed to restoring American energy dominance.
Amid global energy instability and failed socialist “green” experiments abroad, the summit offered a bold alternative: the America First Energy Model — rooted in freedom, prosperity, and innovation.
Throughout the day, speakers underscored one truth: energy is freedom, and under America First leadership, freedom fuels the world.
Opening Remarks – OLIVER MCPHERSON-SMITH
Vice Chair, Energy & Environment, AFPI
Oliver McPherson-Smith opened the summit by drawing a sharp contrast between globalist energy centralization and America’s tradition of free-market innovation.
“Around the world, governments are using environmentalism as a Trojan horse to justify control. America stands as the shining city on a hill — leading again through competition, innovation, and freedom.”
He outlined AFPI’s mission to dismantle bureaucratic barriers and unleash private-sector excellence — ensuring energy policies serve consumers and competition, not compliance and control.
Congressman BRETT GUTHRIE
Chair, House Energy & Commerce Committee
Congressman Guthrie reflected on America’s journey from energy scarcity to independence.
“When I was a kid, gas lines stretched for blocks. Today, we live in an era of American energy independence — and we must never give that up.”
He emphasized bipartisan permitting reform, deregulation, and domestic production as the cornerstones of stability and prosperity.
“We’re not competing with Europe to reduce; we’re competing with China to produce.”
AMBASSADOR CARLA SANDS & HAROLD HAMM
Conversation on Energy Leadership
Moderated by Ambassador Carla Sands, the session featured Harold Hamm, Executive Chairman of Continental Resources, who reaffirmed the central role of entrepreneurship in America’s energy success.
“President Trump understands energy. He buys low, builds strong, and leads with common sense.”
Hamm praised deregulation victories, pipeline expansion, and a renewed national pride in American energy.
“Cheap, abundant energy built this country. Pride in our industry will keep it strong.”
SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT & SECRETARY BROOKE ROLLINS
Moderated by Oliver McPherson-Smith
This powerhouse panel defined the America First Energy and Environment Model — abundance, competition, and human flourishing.
Secretary Wright described the contrast between global “green austerity” and American innovation:
“We want more energy, lower-cost energy, and cleaner energy — not by government mandate, but by human ingenuity.”
Secretary Rollins highlighted the alignment of agriculture and energy under President Trump’s leadership:
“From biofuels to timber, to ethanol exports — our farmers are fueling the world again. When freedom and faith lead policy, America wins.”
REPRESENTATIVE ASHLEY HINSON & TATE BENNETT
Rural Prosperity and American Innovation
Representative Hinson underscored the link between Iowa’s farmers and America’s energy leadership.
“President Trump is a farmers-first president. He knows America’s energy future runs through Iowa’s fields.”
She celebrated advancements in ethanol, biofuels, and technology, calling them “the next wave of rural prosperity.”
MIKE DONOHUE & MARTIN GILLESPIE
Grassroots Energy Victories
New Jersey Chair Mike Donohue shared the story of citizen-led resistance to destructive offshore wind projects.
“They said it was inevitable. It wasn’t. We fought back and won — because truth and perseverance beat globalist lies every time.”
His message resonated as a testament to local empowerment and America’s unbreakable spirit.
LUKE J. LINDBERG
Undersecretary for Trade & Foreign Agricultural Affairs, USDA
Undersecretary Luke Lindberg highlighted the essential link between American agriculture and energy security.
“Our farmers and ranchers have invested in innovation that makes them the most productive in the world.”
He emphasized biofuels as a pillar of global sustainability — contrasting U.S. efficiency with deforestation and exploitation abroad.
“You can choose palm oil from Indonesia, soy from China, or you can choose American ethanol — produced with fewer acres and more innovation every year.”
Lindberg revealed that, through President Trump’s trade agenda, American ethanol will soon supply 100% of the UK’s market, a milestone in energy diplomacy.
SENATOR JON HUSTED (R-OHIO)
Fireside Chat with DR. JACOB OLIDORT
Senator Jon Husted brought decades of economic leadership to a wide-ranging conversation on permitting reform, nuclear energy, and American competitiveness.
“If you’re going to make more things in America, you need more energy. You can’t fight inflation or power AI data centers without abundant, reliable energy.”
Husted championed his bipartisan Nuclear Refuel Act, designed to recycle America’s 90,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel — enough to power every U.S. data center for 40 years.
“It’s not just about innovation; it’s about national security. We can’t depend on Russia or China for the fuel of the future.”
He also urged educational investment in AI and cybersecurity, linking human capital to energy innovation.
“Energy, data, and defense — they’re now one and the same.”
SENATOR DAVE MCCORMICK (R-PENNSYLVANIA)
In Conversation with MARY STIFFLER
Senator Dave McCormick offered a commanding perspective on how energy, AI, and manufacturing define the new American revival.
“You can’t have AI leadership without energy leadership. Energy dominance is not just an economic policy — it’s a national security imperative.”
McCormick described Pennsylvania’s rise as a model for the nation, citing over $92 billion in new energy and data infrastructure investment.
“That’s not the end of the story. It’s the beginning. Trillions more are coming — and the question is, will America lead or be left behind?”
He identified nuclear power as essential to meeting surging energy demand and praised Penn State’s advances in small modular reactor technology.
“There’s no incremental path to triple our capacity. We need bold, transformative action.”
McCormick closed by placing this moment in historic context:
“I was a soldier in the Reagan Revolution. What’s happening now is even bigger. President Trump is delivering on his promises — and AFPI built the foundation.”
JASON HAYES
Director, Energy & Environment, AFPI – Closing Remarks
Jason Hayes concluded the summit with a powerful appeal for energy realism and human flourishing.
“We face a choice. Restriction or abundance. Bureaucracy or innovation. Energy poverty or human progress.”
He exposed the absurdities of globalist “green” ideology — from demonizing farming to attacking human activity itself — and reaffirmed AFPI’s mission to defend energy abundance.
“You can’t even build wind and solar without fossil fuels. Pretending otherwise isn’t science — it’s self-destruction.”
Hayes credited President Trump’s leadership for unleashing American energy once again and vowed that AFPI’s Power America team would continue the charge:
“Abundant, affordable, reliable energy is the key to human betterment. I want my grandson to grow up in a world powered by freedom, not fear.”
A NATION REENERGIZED
The Global Energy Summit closed with a unified vision:
America will lead the world in energy again — not through mandates or fear, but through innovation, courage, and unyielding belief in freedom.
AFPI’s Power America team reaffirmed its mission:
“We will supercharge production, roll back unreasonable regulation, and restore the promise that built this nation — energy independence as the foundation of liberty.”