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Power City could be impacted by the presidential election

Both candidates have campaigned on policies that could have economic effects on our area.

BEAUMONT, Texas — The Golden Triangle is a key player in the global energy sector and it could be impacted the November 5 presidential election. 

The Beaumont-Port Arthur area is home to some of the biggest oil refineries like ExxonMobil, Motiva and TotalEnergies.

12News spoke to a political science professor about where both candidates stand.

Dr. James Nelson at Lamar University says it's important to remember that our government is operated by checks and balances. 

He says swapping out one administration for another does matter, however it won't determine everything about policy making.  

Both candidates have campaigned on policies that could have economic effects. 

Vice President Kamala Harris has talked about first time homebuyer credit to help people purchase homes who are new mortgage holders. 

Former president Donald Trump has talked about tariff policies to try to punish countries he sees as unfairly competing with the United States. 

"During emergencies or wars or if a country is seen as unfairly dumping products presidents can raise tariffs on their own in some ways, but of course congress gives that authority by delegation and that would be subject to review by the other parts of the government," said Dr. Nelson.

When it comes to energy production in the U.S., Trump has said he wants the country to be the dominant energy producer in the world, encouraging more oil drilling. 

Harris has promised to continue to increase energy production by investing in clean energy sources, so the U.S. won't have to rely on foreign oil.  

Dr. Nelson says consumers tend to see results at the gas pump.

"If you notice that lately probably at the pump that even though Russia is in a war with Ukraine and they're a big producer of oil and gas as well and there is a wider war that seems to be developing in the middle east. Gas prices have not spiked as a result of that. Texas is a big part of why the US has the domestic supply it does," Dr. Nelson said.

Earlier this year, the Texas Oil and Gas Association reported that Texas supplied 42% of the nation's oil in 2023.

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