On Thursday, Moderate Democrat Senator Joe Manchin (WV) slammed Democrat President Joe Biden’s administration for their role in the ongoing energy crisis, saying his “frustration is at an all-time high.”
Manchin made the comments during a Senate Energy Committee hearing on the Department of the Interior’s budget request for fiscal year 2023.
“We are holding this hearing during trying times,” Manchin began. “Putin’s horrific invasion of Ukraine, Russia’s weaponization of oil and gas, increasing energy and food prices worldwide, and the growing challenge of competition with China. Given the current global situation, it is essential for the United States to step up to the plate as the superpower of the world.”
“That includes the responsible development of our abundant energy and mineral resources. Unfortunately, even as we see Russia wage a war enabled by energy insecurity in Europe, this administration has made its opposition to domestic oil and gas production crystal clear – on and off Federal lands and waters,” he continued.
Manchin then discussed the Biden administration’s role in the energy crisis and slammed the administration for deflecting blame and pursuing policies that punish energy companies, like attempting to increase royalty fees for certain oil leases which he said “may disincentivize pursuing federal leases at all.”
“My frustration is at an all-time high that we are talking to OPEC, Iran, and Venezuela to increase oil output while we are at the same time blocking increased energy production at home,” Manchin added. “What does it say to producers here in the United States when we consider working with the Venezuelan government, which certainly doesn’t share our values, instead of supporting domestic or North American production? Is this really in our best interest?”
Manchin’s comments come shortly after the United States set a new record high for gas prices with all 50 states reaching more than a $4 per gallon average, according to a report from the American Automobile Association (AAA).
“The high cost of oil, the key ingredient in gasoline, is driving these high pump prices for consumers,” said AAA spokesperson Andrew Gross. “Even the annual seasonal demand dip for gasoline during the lull between spring break and Memorial Day, which would normally help lower prices, is having no effect this year.”
As explained in the report, “total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 3.6 million bbl to 225 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand also decreased slightly from 8.86 million b/d to 8.7 million b/d. Typically, lower demand would put downward pressure on pump prices. However, crude prices remain volatile, and as they surge, pump prices follow suit. Pump prices will likely face upward pressure as oil prices stay above $105 per barrel.”
