Biden Administration: Dismantling US Energy Is to “Accelerate the Transition”

Wall Street Journal: On his first day in office, Mr. Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline and halted new leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A week later, he banned new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, and in June he shut down exploration on existing leases in ANWR. In October, he increased the regulatory burdens on building pipelines and other infrastructure. This February he limited leasing in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve. At every turn Team Biden has worked to restrict and reduce domestic oil and gas production. Team Biden got what it wanted: Daily U.S. oil production dropped from 12.29 million barrels in 2019 to an estimated 11.85 million in 2022, well after demand had rebounded from the pandemic. Mr. Biden blames Vladimir Putin, but prices rose quite a bit before Russia invaded Ukraine. In January 2021, the average price of regular gasoline was $2.33 a gallon. By February 2022, it was up to $3.52. As of May, the average price was $4.44; so 56% of that price rise predated the invasion (Wall Street Journal).  RNC Research: “Since day one, President Biden has tried to limit fossil fuels supplies — and we’re all paying for it. Do you dispute?” Top Biden energy advisor Amos Hochstein laughs, then admits they’re working to “accelerate the transition” (RNC Research).  Townhall: GRANHOLM: “As long as our nation remains overly reliant on oil and fossil fuels, we’ll feel these price shocks again…the only way out…is diversifying our fuel sources by deploying clean energy” (Twitter).