This opinion piece argues that Democrats have campaigned on addressing high gas prices while simultaneously implementing policies that raise energy costs [1]. The article cites President Biden's cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline on his first day in office as a primary example, noting the 1,200-mile pipeline would have delivered 830,000 barrels of Canadian oil daily to U.S. refineries [1]. The piece also references President Obama's 2015 veto of the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act, with a subsequent Senate override attempt failing on March 4, 2015 [1].
The opinion further highlights Democratic proposals for carbon taxes, citing statements from Kamala Harris on September 4, 2019, stating "Under my plan there will be a carbon fee," and Pete Buttigieg's campaign advocacy for a carbon tax [1]. The article discusses the EV transition challenges under the Biden administration, noting that General Motors absorbed $11.2 billion in losses and cancellation of EV infrastructure plans, while Ford took a $19.5 billion EV write-down after eliminating models like the electric F-150 truck [1].
The piece attributes part of the Biden administration's 21.5% cumulative inflation to multi-trillion-dollar green energy spending provisions, including elements of the "Inflation Reduction Act" that incorporated aspects of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's "Green New Deal" [1]. The author argues this represents an irony in Democratic messaging, as the party campaigned on gas price relief while pursuing policies designed to increase energy costs.
CONCLUSION
This opinion article presents a critical perspective on Democratic energy policies, arguing that campaign messaging on gas price relief contradicts actual policy implementation that raises energy costs. The cited examples of pipeline cancellations, carbon tax proposals, and EV transition losses demonstrate the author's contention that Democratic policies have contributed to inflation and energy affordability challenges.