Biden’s Energy Policy Would Cost American Families Thousands
Many Americans likely turned off their televisions well before the end of the debate because they were sick of hearing the same old political talking points from Joe Biden, but this meant they missed Biden make a game-changing blunder on energy policy. The former vice president showed he is no moderate and that his commitment to environmental extremism outweighs his concern for the well-being of average Americans.
President Trump pressed Biden to clarify his past statements on oil and gas, and the former vice president committed a major blunder saying, "I would transition from the oil industry, yes."
Biden will try to deny that he wants to stop fracking or shutter the oil and gas industry, but his policy proposals will do exactly that. If Biden succeeds, many Americans will be out of work, and the whole nation will be hit with higher energy bills.
In the past, Biden has promised to "end fracking" or "end fossil fuels" or "transition away from fossil fuels.” Even if you are not from an oil and natural gas-producing state, you should still care and be concerned.
Transitioning away from or ending fossil fuels will cost all of us more - every single day. Just ending fracking, let alone all fossil fuels, will cause our energy and living costs to skyrocket by more than $500 dollars a month. These costs will sicken our economy and drive jobs to China and other countries with lower energy costs.
The costs would be so punitive because oil, natural gas and coal provide 80% of the energy we use in America. Fossil fuels account for nearly 100% of the energy for cars and trucks that move goods and people, the equipment to plant, harvest, process, and transport food from farm to the cities.
For example, fossil fuels provide 63% of the power needed for the refrigerator you use to keep your food from spoiling. Fossil fuels also account for the tremendous amounts of energy we need to have internet and cell phones, power electric cars, to keep cool in the summer, watch TV or simply turn on the lights. Americans and the world are very dependent on fossil fuels for a healthy economy and the comforts of modern life.
Phasing out fossil fuels may sound nice to the environmental crowd, but the costs are exorbitant and will do little to reduce their bogeyman, CO2. Ending fossil fuels is a huge undertaking because we use so much fuel to power our lives.
Joe Biden ignores these facts and instead has accepted policy from the far left. Biden’s own website says, "Biden believes the Green New Deal is a crucial framework for meeting the climate challenges we face."
According to a 2019 Heritage Foundation study, "Under the most modest estimates, just one part of this new deal costs an average family $165,000 and wipes out 5.2 million jobs with negligible climate benefit." And that is just one part of the Green New Deal, that Biden uses as a framework for his policies.
When pressed to justify this cost, Biden promises his policies will ultimately create jobs but can't explain how. Where exactly will these jobs be created, and how long will they last?
Evidence shows that any new jobs created are unlikely to be in America. Nine out of the 10 largest industrial wind tower companies are foreign. Only 2 of the top 10 solar companies are in the United States. How will closing natural gas plants and replacing them with foreign-made wind and solar generate American jobs?
In contrast to Biden, President Trump has worked to increase America's energy production. Last year, America became energy independent for the first time since 1957 because of President Trump's policies. We now have an abundance of both oil and natural gas, thanks to favorable regulations and technology. We were enjoying a robust economy, until Covid put us in lockdown. Reasonably priced, abundant, reliable energy is a cornerstone for rebuilding what was lost.
Maintaining energy independence will keep America safe. With energy independence, our economy is no longer at the mercy of foreign countries like Russia or OPEC and their energy markets' manipulations. We no longer have to rely on our enemies for fuel.
America cannot afford Biden's energy policies. He would raise our energy cost, eliminate American jobs, and leave us dependent on foreign countries for energy. In these difficult times, we need President Trump's pro-energy policies to revive the economy, not Biden's environmental dogmas.
Frank Lasee is a former Wisconsin State Senator and former member of Governor Walker’s administration. The district he represented had two nuclear power plants, a biomass plant and numerous wind towers. He has deep experience dealing with energy, the environment and climate.
