Following Vice President Kamala Harris’ acceptance of the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, much attention has been given to her position on domestic U.S. energy production — particularly whether or not she supports a ban on fracking. Given the role of both energy production and related infrastructure development in building and advancing the US economy, as well as supporting workers and good-paying union jobs, it’s a fair question to ask. As the business manager of the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council, I recognize the importance of energy and infrastructure projects, particularly in terms of how they support our union members.

Though some of her past positions on this issue may have raised concerns, her evolution in approach to the topic has been encouraging in that she has now committed to not banning fracking.

This pivot in how she views the big picture of domestic energy production in the United States, from a more narrowly focused perspective to a wider, more comprehensive and holistic approach, began as she joined the Joe Biden ticket in 2020 and has progressed since then. This is an encouraging policy evolution which the vice president can crystallize by articulating more forcefully the need for a steady supply of reliable, home-grown energy to power our homes, communities and businesses. She also needs to commit unequivocally to the view domestic energy production plays a vital role in providing jobs for American workers, and particularly for unionized trades workers.

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Harris has indicated quite clearly she does not support a ban on fracking, which would translate to a de facto ban on domestic oil and gas production. She has stated this on the campaign trail and reiterated it, both on a televised interview and during her debate with her opponent, former President Donald Trump. Furthermore, her support for West Virigina U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin’s amendment to open new offshore leases for oil and gas production in the Inflation Reduction Act, for which she was the tie-breaking vote, is equally encouraging.

Some have criticized the vice president for this policy adjustment, labeling it a “flip-flop.” This is an unfair characterization. Reassessing one’s position in light of changing circumstances, or simply upon obtaining a greater understanding of the broader issue, is a sign of statesmanship — not weakness.

Domestically produced American oil and gas has come to play a tremendous role in the global economy, and has helped propel new infrastructure projects that support construction and trades workers around the country. Globally, the  U.S. has become an energy powerhouse, and the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2023 according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). The EIA further reports those American LNG exports went primarily to Europe in 2022 and 2023 following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, thereby serving as a foreign policy tool to support our allies and national security goals.

Back on U.S. soil, pipeline capacity grew by 5.2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2023, also according to the EIA. Much of this pipeline growth was in Texas and Louisiana, where LNG export hubs have dominated, and was built by unionized labor. This includes plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, an occupational category currently expected to grow by 2% in the next decade according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In trades like these, the BLS reports construction on new pipelines and infrastructure projects is among the top industries (the top two being building equipment contractors and utility system construction). Harris’ affirmation of her clear support for domestic oil and gas production would help secure these union jobs.

Along with her wise rejection of a fracking ban, and her support for the Inflation Reduction Act with its new federal offshore leasing provisions, Harris’ support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has shown infrastructure investment and job growth are key priorities for her. Here in Colorado, thousands of unionized jobs depend on such projects advancing, in an industry that has become so dominant during the past decade. We hope and trust that, if elected, Harris will honor her commitment to pursuing pro-energy, pro-worker policies — including a lifting of the LNG export ban — that will allow American workers to build the infrastructure needed to supply our neighbors and allies around the work with the energy to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Jason Wardrip is business manager at the Colorado Building & Construction Trades Council.