Baton Rouge Reporter

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Garret Graves expressed his concerns about President Biden's energy plan, citing its impact on record high gasoline and utility costs for Americans. Graves emphasized the need for common sense and questioned the President's decision to rely on countries like Russia, China, and Iran for energy production.

Graves stated, "Right now we have record high gasoline and utility costs, and Americans can’t afford to make ends meet – this energy plan makes it even worse. You really have to wonder how many times President Biden has to burn his hand on the stove before he stops making the same mistake. With growing oil and gas demand, it is baffling that the President of the United States would basically cede energy production to countries like Russia, China, Iran, and others. We could be producing oil and gas offshore in Louisiana while creating better jobs and attaining energy security, lower emissions, and more affordable prices. We will continue to fight for common sense."

The Congressman's remarks came in response to the recent announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior, revealing their plan to hold only three lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico between 2023 and 2029. This move breaks the previous record set by the Obama Administration, which offered the fewest ever lease sales at 11 sales.

This reduction in lease sales is particularly concerning considering the projected increase in global oil and gas demand. By 2045, demand is expected to rise by 23 percent. However, the energy plan will decrease the United States' supply by almost one million barrels per day, approximately 1 percent of the global supply. This imbalance between supply and demand is predicted to result in higher prices for consumers.

In addition to the economic impact, Graves highlighted the plan's consequences for energy security and emissions reduction. By relying more on foreign energy sources instead of domestic production in the Gulf of Mexico, the United States will face an increased emissions portfolio. Energy development in the Gulf of Mexico has been shown to have half the emissions compared to other producing regions. As a result, the energy plan will contribute to a rise of 50 million to 100 million metric tons of global emissions by 2040.

Concerns about the energy plan's implications for the economy, energy security, and environmental impact have sparked a pushback from Congressman Graves and others who advocate for a more balanced and domestically focused approach to energy production.

For more information on the U.S. Department of the Interior's announcement, please visit here.