Energy Policy Watch: Wesley Hunt’s Bid for the ‘Energy District of the World’

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One of the most ridiculous things Texas congressional candidate Wesley Hunt said he’s seen within the past year was the Biden administration’s shutting down of the Keystone XL pipeline yet allowing Russia to go forward with its Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

“If you want to squash economic growth and squash businesses in your own country but allow it to flourish in other countries that quite frankly don’t do it as clean or as safe or as remotely better than we do then what’s your angle here?” Hunt told Cornerstone’s Jack Belcher.

Hunt joined Belcher on the latest installment of Energy Policy Watch to discuss his bid for the newly created 38th Congressional District, which is located within the Energy Corridor where some of the world’s largest energy companies are headquartered.

“If Houston is the energy capital of the world then the argument can certainly be made that this will be the energy district of the world,” he said of the 38th Congressional District.

Previously, Hunt, an Army combat veteran, had ran a close congressional contest in the Houston area against U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston. However, the day after Texas unveiled the proposed new congressional map that placed one of the state’s two new seats in the Houston area last September, Hunt announced his bid for the seat as the Republican candidate.

During the in-depth discussion with Belcher, Hunt also spoke about the importance of oil and gas for the district plus the importance of energy policy to the overall U.S. economy.

“We need to start telling the truth about oil and gas and the energy industry,” Hunt said. “And look, I think we can all be fair, we can all say that we want to get to that next abundant and affordable energy source—no one wants to stop that. But it’s not the government’s role to implement that. It’s the private sector’s role to innovate to get there. As the economy and innovation marry, that’s where we start to see some change.”

Hunt also acknowledged the importance of climate change but noted India, China and Russia’s growing carbon footprints.

“If we don’t take into account India, China and Russia, who, by the way, they are all increasing their carbon footprint, you’re literally going to destroy the oil and gas industry in this country at no gain into the globe,” Hunt said. “And we’re not going to get to the next abundant and affordable energy source without us.”

To learn more about Hunt’s campaign for Texas’ 38th Congressional District visit WesleyForTexas.com.

Jump to a topic:

• Behind run for Congress (1:25)
• Importance of oil and gas (3:05)
• Domestic energy policy issues (5:45)
• Promoting U.S. interests abroad (7:45)
• Regaining net exporter status (9:30)
• Energy transition partnerships (10:50)
• Preventing an energy crisis (13:00)
• Bipartisan approach? (15:00)
• Biggest goal for freshman term (16:45)

Energy Policy Watch is a partnership between Hart Energy and Cornerstone to bring regular video updates on legislative and regulatory actions affecting the energy industry. Guests range from key representatives or congressional staff to relevant cabinet-level officials and executive branch personnel. View More Energy Policy Watch Episodes Here.