On his very first day in office, President Joe Biden halted the sale of all new oil and gas leases on federal land. It was a harbinger of a war on domestic energy — one that would come with a hefty price tag for Americans.
This decision, part of a broad capitulation to radical environmentalist agendas, placed woke ideological victories above the economic well-being of hard-working Americans. From day one, the Biden administration made it clear that, for them, the pursuit of an unblemished green energy narrative justifies the steep cost to middle-class families already struggling to make ends meet.
The enactment of radical Green New Deal policies under the guise of the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” revealed that the touted green energy subsidies would cost an astounding $1.2 trillion, three times the initial claim. These policies, which claim to pave the way for a cleaner future, paradoxically enrich companies in high-polluting nations like China while we at home bear the brunt.
Unfortunately, the halt of new oil and gas leases was only the beginning. The implications of the administration’s acquiescence to far-left interests, particularly on Americans’ wallets, quickly became apparent. When Biden took over, inflation was at 1.4%, and filling up your car cost about $2.39 a gallon. Fast-forward to today, and prices have jumped nearly 18% across the board, with gas about 40% more expensive compared to the day Biden took office. To add fuel to fire, Biden recently doubled down on these efforts by proposing some of the most aggressive emission standards to date.
It begs the question: What tangible benefits have Utahns received from these Green New Deal policies?
The answer? Higher prices at the pump, dwindling job opportunities and increased vulnerability to the whims of international energy markets. We’re forced to contend with the depletion of America’s strategic energy reserves to historic lows, ostensibly for political gain, and now face the daunting task of replenishing these reserves at significantly higher costs.
We can’t afford to continue down this path any longer.
Our country needs new leaders who grasp the intrinsic link between a thriving energy sector, the environment and the well-being of the middle class. The current administration’s penchant for blocking critical energy infrastructure and canceling energy leases on federal lands has hampered our energy independence and sowed uncertainty on an already volatile global stage.
We need champions for new energy infrastructure projects and advocates for permitting reform that modernizes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), ensuring we can develop our natural resources. Initially intended in 1970 as a procedural statute for agencies to consider the environmental consequences of their actions, NEPA has become activists’ favorite tool to delay projects they dislike indefinitely, nuclear being on the frontline. The truth is, with new technologies and innovation, we can unlock America’s energy potential and continue to be good stewards of the environment.
The American dream, characterized by the pursuit of prosperity and the opportunity for all to achieve success through hard work, is fundamentally supported by the nation’s ability to cultivate and utilize its own resources. However, as the administration enforces policies restricting the full use of these resources, the dream seems increasingly out of reach for many.
America needs leaders who understand that a robust and independent American energy sector is a cornerstone of our economic security, our national security and a lifeline for the middle class. We need policies that lead to a comprehensive, all inclusive approach to energy, to assert America as a dominant force in the global energy market.
I stand ready to be that leader. With a background deeply rooted in the energy sector and a clear vision for America’s future, I am prepared to champion policies that restore our energy independence, bolster our economy, balance environmental concerns and ensure that the American Dream remains within reach.
As our government works through the complexities of energy policy, we must not forget that the decisions made today will shape the future of our children and grandchildren. By harnessing the nation’s energy resources wisely, the United States can fuel not just its cars and factories but the aspirations and ambitions of its people.
It’s time for leaders who understand the value of a gallon of gas but also the value of a vision for an America empowered by its own energy, secure in its future and prosperous in its present.
Let’s recall the moment when Biden’s war on energy began, not to lament but to learn — and to choose leaders who not only want America to be energy independent but also want to expand our production to achieve American dominance.
(Photo courtesy JR Bird) JR Bird
JR Bird founded Paragon Oilfield Products, serves as the mayor of Roosevelt City, and is a current candidate for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.
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