What’s Happening:
Joe Biden continues to enact policies that are not popular and could hurt the average American when implemented. This is a pattern that has many politicians, including Democrats, questioning his tactics that appear to go around Congress.
Biden has been working to limit fossil fuel production since the day he took office and has even vowed to totally eliminate some fossil fuel sources, such as coal. His latest action that limits potential oil production is being criticized across the board from Republicans to those in his own liberal party.
Biden’s administration took aggressive action against oil production when the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced Wednesday that seven remaining leases awarded from a 2021 sale of land in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s (ANWR) Coastal Plain would be invalidated, according to a DOI press release. The agency is withdrawing over 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA) from oil and gas leasing activity to ensure “maximum protection.”
This action takes Biden’s anti-oil policies too far, according to U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.), and he said the action will “imperil American energy security.”
From Fox News:
“This is yet another example of this administration caving to the radical left with no regard for clear direction from Congress or American energy security,” Manchin said in the press release. “Let’s be clear — this is another attempt to use executive action to circumvent a law to accomplish what this administration does not have the votes to achieve in Congress.”
The plains of Alaska may seem too far away to the average American paying high prices for gas at their local convenience store. But Biden’s sudden restrictions are a big deal for American oil production. According to the Bureau of Land Management, the NRPA is approximately 23 million acres in total, and it is meant to serve as a reserve oil supply in the event of emergency.
Alaska produced the fourth-most oil of any state in the country in 2021 and 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state is a big part of necessary oil production to fuel the energy needs of the country.
Biden has actively taken an interest in Alaska since he became president, according to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). She pointed out that there have been 55 executive orders and actions targeting Alaska specifically since Biden took office in 2021.
By contrast, Biden’s policies continue to promote importing oil from other countries as foreign oil production is cut and gas prices at home remain high. Daily fuel costs for workers have been a struggle and a cold winter could cause a spike in heating bills with less fuel available.
Biden’s ongoing targeting of Alaska as fuel prices remain high is a questionable tactic.
“Canceling valid leases, removing acreage from future sales, and attempting to reduce production in Alaska while taking steps to allow Iran and Venezuela to produce more oil — with fewer environmental regulations — makes no sense and is frankly embarrassing,” Manchin stated.
Oil production is necessary, despite any “green” goals from the administration, to keep our country working. Fossil fuels keep most vehicles and electricity production going without interruption. Anything that disrupts the supply chain for the nation’s energy needs will cause problems.
Key Takeaways:
- Joe Biden’s administration hits hard against an energy-producing state,
- Leading Democrat calls Biden’s actions “embarrassing” and dangerous.
- Cutting potential oil production comes at a time of high energy prices.
Source: Daily Caller
