Common Sense Energy: Making OPEC Great Again

While the potential shutdown of Michigan’s Line 5 pipeline is nonsense, the mounting opposition to the proposal is a slam dunk for common sense. Members of the Project 21 black leadership network recently called out the Biden administration, citing the harm a pipeline closure will do to American families, “[They] cannot say it supports environmental justice when it is preparing to effectively accelerate energy poverty,” said Derrick Hollie.

Emery McClendon continued, “America needs this vital pipeline to remain open. Americans must not be denied the ability to stay warm during the harsh winter ahead. Closing down the Line 5 pipeline will unduly affect Americans’ standard of living – especially those living in black communities who are already struggling to make ends meet.”

To quote TEA’s Declaration of Energy Independence, “Affordable energy is fundamental to economic prosperity for all. It is a moral imperative to provide for families who are most vulnerable to increases in their energy budgets.”

A number of dedicated members of Congress are also fighting for the “overwhelming benefits of maintaining its operation.” Read their full letter to the President here.

The Bottom Line: Already balancing inflated food, energy, and holiday expenses via the Biden Burden Bill, hard-working Americans in the Great Lakes cannot afford another increase in home heating costs this winter.

On Wednesday, President Biden launched his latest attack on the foundation of America’s energy security. The President directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate why energy prices and gas prices are so high, alleging that oil and gas companies are to blame. Despite the President’s effort to shift the blame away from himself, the answer quite clearly stems from a year of undermining American energy independence. Canceling the permits for the Keystone pipeline, halting leases on federal lands and potentially increasing taxes on domestic producers  are just a few of the ways he’s contributed to the increased costs Americans are paying every day.

API Senior Vice President for Policy, Economics and Regulatory Affairs Frank Macchiarola highlights this latest attempt by the President to deflect blame, “This is a distraction from the fundamental market shift that is taking place and the ill-advised government decisions that are exacerbating this challenging situation…Rather than launching investigations on markets that are regulated and closely monitored on a daily basis or pleading with OPEC to increase supply, we should be encouraging the safe and responsible development of American-made oil and natural gas.”

The Bottom Line: The use of domestic natural gas and oil discovered, produced, and refined in the U.S. makes certain America is no longer dependent on rapidly changing global markets and unstable or hostile countries.

As Californians are facing record prices for gasoline, the state has pledged to end oil and natural gas production, a pledge that will only make things worse for residents. Reducing access to energy sources does nothing to lower prices, in fact it typically makes things more expensive. Furthermore, to fill the gap in supply, the state will rely on sources like OPEC which has a considerably worse record on environmental protections and human rights. So rather than relying on clean, abundant resources that will be acquired responsibly, the state is turning to foreign suppliers.

With inflation increasing in all economic sectors, the President is finding a similar economic reaction to his attacks on domestic producers.

The Bottom Line: In their best attempt to mimic the President, California has also joined the “We Love OPEC” coalition, pledging to end all oil and natural gas production and in turn, increasing their dependency on energy imports.

Programming Note: The standard version of Common Sense Energy will take a Thanksgiving break next week. We will resume on Friday, December 3rd.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!