When Washington Gets Out Of The Way – Energy Workers Deliver Results

Authored by Larry Behrens via RealClearEnergy,

This Labor Day feels different.

After years of paying too much at the pump and hearing politicians in Washington tell us it was all Putin’s fault, American families are finally getting relief. The reason is simple: our energy workers have an administration that lets them do their jobs. The results are undeniable.

This weekend, gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020. According to GasBuddy, the national average for Labor Day 2025 is $3.15 a gallon. Compare that to Labor Day 2022, when drivers were shelling out an average of $3.83. That’s a 68-cent difference, and for families packing up the minivan for one last summer road trip, it means real savings. When Washington gets out of the way, energy workers deliver.

And deliver they have. America is now producing nearly 13.5 million barrels of oil a day, the highest level in our nation’s history. That production doesn’t happen in some ivory tower or Washington think tank—it happens in oil fields, on rigs, and in refineries where American workers put in long hours to keep our nation fueled. Thanks to their work, the United States is the largest oil-producing country in the world, outpacing even Saudi Arabia and Russia.

But it’s not just oil. The U.S. is also the world’s largest producer of natural gas liquids, critical fuels that heat our homes, power our factories, and keep energy affordable. Together, oil and natural gas account for more than 10 million American jobs and contribute nearly $2 trillion to the U.S. economy. Those numbers aren’t just statistics—they represent livelihoods, small businesses, and communities that depend on a strong energy sector.

Contrast that with the policies from just a few short years ago. Labor Day 2022 came on the heels of massive inflation and record energy costs. Prices were high not because American workers weren’t willing to deliver, but because Washington was actively standing in the way. Permits delayed, pipelines blocked, and a green political agenda superseded paychecks and prices at the pump.

Today, the change is obvious. With President Trump’s America First Energy policy, Washington is finally working with—not against—the men and women who power our nation. The results speak louder than any speech: lower prices for families, record production for workers, and a stronger America on the global stage. Energy dominance is no longer a campaign slogan—it’s happening in real time.

This Labor Day, as we enjoy the barbecues and road trips that mark the unofficial end of summer, we should take a moment to celebrate the American energy worker. They are the reason gas is cheaper, the reason America leads the world in production, and the reason our economy is stronger today.

And here’s the best news: if we stay the course with President Trump’s America First Energy policy, there will be even more to celebrate in the years ahead. Lower prices, stronger jobs, and a nation that relies on its own workers—not foreign cartels—for energy security.

This Labor Day feels different, but with America First Energy it could simply become the new normal.

Larry Behrens is an energy expert and the Communications Director for Power The Future. He has appeared on Fox News, ZeroHedge, and NewsMax speaking in defense of American energy workers. You can follow him on X/Twitter @larrybehrens