Energy Secretary Rick Perry griped about some nations' reluctance to use fossil fuels during a speech Tuesday morning, saying the United States is becoming secure energy-wise because of its reliance on natural gas, oil, and coal.
Perry spoke at the opening ceremony of the World Gas Conference in Washington, D.C. and seemed frustrated.
"I wish I could tell you that the entire developed world is on board with our vision" of promotion energy security, Perry said, according to CNBC. "I wish I could, but I cannot. In some quarters, at home and abroad, there is still this stubborn opposition to natural gas and other fossil fuels.
"The opposition exists even as fossil fuels become cleaner and low-emission natural gas increases its share of total fossil production and use. These opponents flatly reject the all-of-the-above strategy, the innovation-driven strategy that's helping us achieve energy security."
Perry, CNBC reported, said keeping oil, gas, and coal in the global "energy mix" is essential for national security.
"For the sake of energy security. For the sake of economic security. For the sake of national security. I think for the sake of environmental progress. For the sake of our fellow human beings, we must honor the right of every nation to responsibly use every fuel at its disposal," he said.
Perry said last June that the Trump administration was aiming to leverage its energy as a way to gain international influence.
Perry will reportedly meet with Russian Oil Minister Alexander Novak on Tuesday as both nations compete on the energy market.
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