Biden facing renewed criticism for cancelling Keystone XL Pipeline amid energy crisis
The Biden administration recently tapped U.S. strategic oil reserves amid rising gas prices
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President Biden is facing fresh criticism for his decision to cancel the Keystone XL Pipeline with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle suggesting he endangered U.S. energy security.
The backlash comes as Biden tapped the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve – releasing 50 million barrels – in response to rising gas prices. Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., released a statement described that policy as a "band-aid" and accused Biden of creating a self-inflicted wound.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 23: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks on the economy during an event at the South Court Auditorium at Eisenhower Executive Office Building on November 23, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden announced the release of 50 mil (Getty Images)
"Today's release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an important policy Band-Aid for rising gas prices but does not solve for the self-inflicted wound that shortsighted energy policy is having on our nation," he said.
SEN. CRUZ RIPS BIDEN'S ‘RADICAL’ ENERGY AGENDA: ENDING KEYSTONE ‘MADE THE ENVIRONMENT WORSE’
"With an energy transition underway across the country, it is critical that Washington does not jeopardize America's energy security in the near term and leave consumers vulnerable to rising prices. Historic inflation taxes and the lack of a comprehensive all-of-the-above energy policy pose a clear and present threat to American's economic and energy security that can no longer be ignored. I continue to call on President Biden to responsibly increase energy production here at home and to reverse course to allow the Keystone XL pipeline to be built."
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a key holdout vote on President Joe Biden's domestic agenda, speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik / AP Newsroom)
Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., derided Biden as "delusional" for blaming energy companies.
"Joe Biden canceled the Keystone pipeline," tweeted Cotton. "He banned drilling on federal land. He put anti-energy extremists in his cabinet. Now he blames energy companies for the high price of gas? He's delusional."
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., similarly attacked Biden's energy policy, saying: "Dear Mr. President: Let us produce our own energy and create jobs right here at home. Stop putting America last."
Pipes for the Keystone XL pipeline stacked in a yard near Oyen, Alberta, Canada, on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. U.S. President Joe Biden revoked the permit for TC Energy Corp.'s Keystone XL energy pipeline via executive order hours after his inauguration (Jason Franson/Bloomberg / Getty Images)
Last week, Biden asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate oil companies, indicating they could be engaging in illegal conduct.
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The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment. In a statement earlier this week, the administration touted its infrastructure initiatives and decision to tap oil reserves as avenues to energy independence.
"Today’s announcement reflects the President’s commitment to do everything in his power to bring down costs for the American people and continue our strong economic recovery," read a White House statement.
"At the same time, the Administration remains committed to the President’s ambitious clean energy goals, as reflected in the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed last week and the House-passed Build Back Better Act that together represent the largest investment in combatting climate change in American history and is a critical step towards reaching a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 and reducing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels."