Apr 8, 2019 - Energy & Environment

Trump rolling out executive orders for energy companies

Ben Geman, author of Generate

President Trump. Photo: than Miller/Getty Images

Trump will announce 2 executive orders in Houston on Wednesday to help energy companies "avoid unnecessary red tape" in order to speed up development of pipelines and other projects, a White House aide said.

Why it matters: While U.S. oil and natural gas production is already at record levels, companies have chafed at the regulatory process for some infrastructure projects, notably battles over gas pipelines in the Northeast.

But, but, but: There isn't enough information yet to know whether the orders will assert new powers that will speed up development. Executive orders range from consequential moves to more symbolic documents that signal a chief executive's priorities.

What's next: Trump will discuss the orders in remarks Wednesday at the International Union of Operating Engineers' training center in Houston.

What they're saying: The White House aide said the orders are aimed at expanding oil-and-gas production, spurring more private infrastructure investment, streamlining permitting, and "further reducing regulations."

  • The goal is to allowing the U.S. to "continue to be the undisputed global leader in crude oil and natural gas production for the foreseeable future."  
  • "American families and businesses in states with energy restrictions will be able to access affordable and reliable domestic energy resources," the aide said.

Go deeper:

Go deeper

Kyle Daly, Ashley Gold, Sara Fischer
1 hour ago - Technology

Apple's antitrust fight turns Epic

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Millions of angry gamers may soon join the chorus of voices calling for an antitrust crackdown on Apple, as the iPhone giant faces a new lawsuit and PR blitz from Epic Games, maker of mega-hit Fortnite.

Why it matters: Apple is one of several Big Tech firms accused of violating the spirit, if not the letter, of antitrust law. A high-profile lawsuit could become a roadmap for either building a case against tech titans under existing antitrust laws or writing new ones better suited to the digital economy.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow
Courtenay Brown
2 hours ago - Economy & Business

Survey: Fears grow about Social Security’s future

Data: AARP survey of 1,441 U.S. adults conducted July 14–27, 2020 a ±3.4% margin of error at the 95% confidence level; Chart: Naema Ahmed/Axios

Younger Americans are increasingly concerned that Social Security won't be enough to wholly fall back on once they retire, according to a survey conducted by AARP — in honor of today's 85th anniversary of the program — given first to Axios.

Why it matters: Young people's concerns about financial insecurity once they're on a restricted income are rising — and that generation is worried the program, which currently pays out to 65 million beneficiaries, won't be enough to sustain them.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Margaret Talev
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Axios-SurveyMonkey poll: Doubts over fair election results

SurveyMonkey poll of 2,847 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 11–12, 2020 with ±3% margin of error; Chart: Naema Ahmed/Axios

One in four Americans is worried their ballot won't be accurately counted this year, and four in 10 worry mail-in voting could yield less reliable results, according to a new Axios-SurveyMonkey poll.

The big picture: Partisan identification is a massive driver of distrust in both categories — and the stakes are huge this year.

Go deeper (2 min. read)Arrow