Cheney’s Role in the Fracking Boom and Energy Policy
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away Monday, played a significant role in shaping U.S. energy policy both in government and business. While he is often linked to the so-called “Halliburton loophole,” his exact involvement in its creation remains unclear even two decades later.
The Halliburton Loophole Explained
The “Halliburton loophole” was part of broad energy legislation Cheney helped bring from idea to law in 2005. It exempted hydraulic fracturing (fracking) from regulation under a major environmental law, removing the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to regulate it comprehensively. Named after Halliburton, the oilfield services company Cheney once led, this exemption is credited with accelerating U.S. oil and gas production.
Impact and Controversy
- This loophole has been both praised for sparking the U.S. rise to global energy dominance and criticized for weakening environmental safeguards.
- Cheney neither publicly claimed credit nor rejected responsibility for the provision over the years.
- The policy laid groundwork for energy strategies later expanded under President Donald Trump’s administration.
“From leading Halliburton to serving as vice president, he exemplified steady leadership and helped shape America’s energy and security,” said Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, in a social media statement.
Cheney’s legacy in energy policy is complex, reflecting both innovation and controversy during his tenure.
Author’s summary: Dick Cheney’s energy policies, particularly the fracking exemption, played a key role in the U.S. energy surge, though his exact part in creating the “Halliburton loophole” remains uncertain.