This week, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy released an op-ed arguing for more domestic energy production in light of the record high gas prices occurring after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“The United States produces more oil and natural gas than any other country in the world. We are the top exporter of LNG and among the top five oil exporters in the world. As a global energy power, we can provide low energy prices, the creation of steady jobs, dependability, and security for America and our allies,” McCarthy wrote. “Republicans understand we are standing on top of the richest resources and have the technology to safely and cleanly harness them. But why stop there? We fundamentally believe in the power of this country, and fear what the world would look like today if American innovators, workers, and leaders before us simply settled.”
He then noted that American energy has been hindered by the Democrats’ policies since President Biden took office last year.
“Under President Biden’s leadership, energy imports from Russia increased by 34%. This administration has not only stalled oil and natural gas exports to our allies, but has blocked further energy transportation infrastructure in the U.S., like the Keystone XL Pipeline, while supporting projects abroad, like Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. With investments in our own pipeline infrastructure, American refineries could have easy access to Canadian crude oil instead of Russian oil,” McCarthy wrote. “Only after Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine did President Biden admit this vulnerability.”
“The only ‘plan’ President Biden has for the current energy crisis is to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and ask other countries to produce more oil,” he said. “These shortsighted ideas put America last, and the solution is obvious: rapidly increase American energy production, thus replacing Russian oil and gas with energy made in the U.S.A.”
McCarthy then argued that banning Russian energy was “only half the equation,” and that domestic energy production needs to be prioritized.
“Republicans propose removing all restrictions, disguised as permitting delays, on LNG exports and increasing the supply of American energy by fully restarting the federal onshore and offshore leasing program and immediately approving projects such as the Keystone XL pipeline. These are common sense solutions that would supply us with more energy and more jobs,” he continued. “After ensuring we can meet our own needs, we should fast-track LNG exports to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, much like exports to countries where we have an existing Free Trade Agreement (FTA). For example, Germany – Europe’s largest economy – depends on Russia for about 55% of its natural gas supply. The world would be safer and cleaner if Germany used more American gas, given Russia’s is 41% dirtier than America’s.”
He concluded by saying “Republicans call for reinforcing existing law and requiring the Bureau of Land Management to approve pending applications for permits to drill on existing leases within 30 days. This would release permits to drill that are being delayed by litigation or policy on already existing leases, increasing production in the short term…. By leaving our resources in the ground and turning to others like Russia, Iran, and Venezuela for help, Democrats are choosing to increase energy costs for and risk the security of American families – either to appease far-left activists or because they lack the moral clarity to do what is right for our citizens.”
