The Price of Gasoline: A Costly Impact of Biden's Energy Policies

The Price of Gasoline: A Costly Impact of Biden's Energy Policies

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS

The recent surge in gasoline prices has affected countless American families, and as an Iranian-American ex-Muslim and former Democrat, I find myself alarmed at the direction our country has taken under President Joe Biden’s administration. His early decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, along with other restrictive energy policies, played a significant role in the spike we see today. Since Biden took office, gas prices have more than doubled, climbing from around $1.59 per gallon in 2020 to well over $3.00 in many areas across the country.

This dramatic increase isn’t simply a result of economic cycles or post-COVID recovery. It’s a direct consequence of Biden’s commitment to reversing former President Donald Trump’s policies aimed at energy independence. The Keystone XL pipeline, approved under Trump, would have transported oil from Alberta, Canada, down to refineries in the United States, providing a reliable and steady supply to fuel our economy. By halting this project, Biden not only disrupted a major source of future oil but also dealt a blow to thousands of potential American jobs in construction, maintenance, and infrastructure.

When Biden revoked the pipeline's permit on his first day in office, his administration sent a message that fossil fuels would be less prioritized in favor of “clean energy.” While clean energy development is important, this drastic shift came without a balanced plan to maintain the affordable energy supply Americans depend on. It left the nation vulnerable to price volatility and foreign dependence. What’s worse, by forgoing domestic production opportunities, the U.S. has increased its reliance on countries with dubious environmental and human rights records, thereby undercutting any supposed ethical or environmental benefit.

Beyond the Keystone XL, Biden’s administration has enacted other policies contributing to higher prices. The moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands, combined with regulatory pressures on existing drilling and extraction projects, has created a climate of uncertainty. Major oil companies, wary of restrictive policies, have responded by reducing investment in new oil production within the U.S., constricting supply in an already-tight market. This combination of reduced domestic production and reliance on foreign imports has created a “perfect storm” for high prices, with limited supply and rising demand post-pandemic.

For ordinary Americans, higher gas prices are more than a financial inconvenience; they ripple through the economy, increasing costs for everything from groceries to heating bills. Businesses, especially small ones, feel the strain of increased operational expenses. It’s frustrating to see how this administration ignores the basic economic principle that restricted supply results in higher costs. American families are shouldering these burdens while their government pursues policies that hurt our national self-sufficiency and economic stability.

The Trump administration’s focus on energy independence was instrumental in keeping gas prices low. At a time when so many Americans are struggling financially, Biden’s energy policies are squeezing the most vulnerable, making it harder for working families to get by. An effective, balanced approach to energy should support renewable sources without eliminating the infrastructure that has sustained American growth for decades.

If Biden wants to alleviate the suffering of Americans, he must reconsider his stance on pipelines and fossil fuels. Energy independence and national prosperity are not mutually exclusive with environmental care. We can and should have both. But abandoning domestic production before viable alternatives are widely available puts our nation at a disadvantage and places an undue burden on millions of Americans.

By canceling Keystone XL and restricting domestic energy, Biden’s administration has shown that their vision for the future neglects the real needs of everyday people. As a former Democrat and someone who once advocated for progressive policies, I urge those still on the left to recognize the damage this administration’s energy policies are causing. It’s time to reconsider the balance between idealism and practicality, lest we continue down a path that leaves Americans struggling at the pump and beyond.

Citations:

1. "Biden Halts Keystone XL Pipeline Construction." New York Times, Jan 20, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/biden-keystone-pipeline.html

2. "U.S. Gasoline Prices and Oil Supply Under the Biden Administration." Energy Information Administration, 2023. https://www.eia.gov/

3. Shellenberger, Michael. "Why Biden's Green Energy Policies Led to Higher Oil and Gas Prices." Forbes, Mar 15, 2023. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2023/03/15/why-bidens-green-energy-policies-led-to-higher-oil-and-gas-prices/

4. "Impact of Keystone XL Cancellation on U.S. Energy Security." American Petroleum Institute, 2022. https://www.api.org/news-policy-and-issues/keystone-xl

5. "The Role of Domestic Oil Production in Stabilizing Gas Prices." Institute for Energy Research, 2022. https://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/