Carper Statement on Biden’s Plan to Counter Putin’s Price Hike

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, issued the following statement on President Biden’s plan to address the higher gas prices that Americans are experiencing:

“Far too many families are facing tough choices at the pump because of Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. To ease this stress, President Biden is putting the full weight of his administration behind addressing these rising gas prices. I support the President taking sweeping action to help lower energy prices for all Americans while reiterating his commitment to working with us in Congress on passing legislation that speeds up the transition to an American economy that runs on clean energy.

“In the short term, the federal government is releasing 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation’s strategic petroleum reserve for the next six months. This is a critical step in lowering fuel prices and I look forward to working with the Administration to ensure that all domestic refineries have access to this oil. Still, the oil and gas industry should do more today to increase production on the more than 9,000 approved, yet unused permits they hold to drill onshore.

“President Biden’s plan also recognizes an undeniable truth: transitioning to clean energy is the most effective strategy for lowering prices for consumers, bolstering American energy security, and addressing the existential threat of climate change. To that end, I agree with the President’s decision to strengthen our domestic supply chain for the batteries that power electric vehicles without weakening necessary environmental safeguards. At the same time, I applaud the Biden Administration’s ongoing dedication to swiftly implementing the historic clean transportation investments we made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Now, it’s time for my colleagues in Congress and I to do our part. Much like when an aircraft pilot accelerates down a runway, we are at the ‘point of no return’ when it comes to the need to pass historic legislation that lowers costs for consumers and unleashes the potential of American clean energy. We need to get this plane off the runway and deliver a better, cleaner, more secure future for the American people. Let’s get it done.”

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