Biden has ruled out ramping up domestic oil and gas production ahead of a global energy crisis while welcoming Russian crude.
The Biden administration has ruled out ramping up domestic oil and gas production ahead of a global energy crisis while still welcoming imports of Russian crude. Speaking to reporters Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki reiterated White House talking points that the solution to decade-high power prices is more investment in “clean energy” while the administration dodges sanctions on high-emitting Russian producers. “If we do more to invest in clean energy, more to invest in other sources of energy, that’s exactly what we can do to prevent this from happening in the future,” Psaki said of the vulnerabilities presented by western reliance on Russian fuel. Such vulnerabilities are a direct consequence of the administration’s promotion of Moscow’s oil and gas producers while decapitating domestic production. On Friday, Psaki doubled down on the White House’s refusal to reverse course on an energy strategy that’s hindered the nation’s economic comeback and limited President Joe Biden’s diplomatic options to counter Russian aggression. Lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, Psaki admitted, is now on the table, which was made clear Wednesday by Transporation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as the Middle East adversary brokers a new agreement with the U.
