Rep. Bice laments the “devastating diesel shortage”

Representative Stephanie Bice |

 

A week after she won re-election to the U.S. House, Oklahoma Rep. Stephanie Bice decried what the Biden administration has done to the nation’s diesel fuel inventory.

In a column she penned this week, the Republican congresswoman labeled it the “Devastating Diesel Shortage.” She wasn’t shy about putting the blame on the White House.

“This crisis is a direct response to the president’s decision to halt new and existing energy projects, drain our petroleum reserves to dangerously low levels, shut down pipeline construction, including the Keystone XL, and restrict American oil and gas production,” wrote Rep. Bice.

“Since energy is foundational to Americans’ needs, we must reverse these harmful policies to alleviate the dangerous shortages and make life affordable again.”

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Her column is below:

The Devastating Diesel Shortage

Our economy runs on diesel. It’s used to fuel trucks, ships, trains, and other forms of transportation and construction machinery that are crucial to a functioning supply chain. It allows truckers and farmers to do their critical job, keeping food on shelves and delivering daily necessities to American families. Unfortunately, Biden’s rush to implement his green agenda has jeopardized our economic stability yet again. Diesel prices are nearly 50% higher than this time last year and our reserves are at the lowest level since 1951. This serves as another example of how Biden’s polices continue to drain our energy supplies and weaken our energy security. Sadly, these impacts are passed down to everyday Oklahomans.

Specifically, inventories of distillate fuel, which are used in diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil, are at the lowest level since 2008. This is deeply concerning as the country is approaching the high-demand winter season. Natural gas and heating oil prices, which are used to heat homes, are expected to increase nearly 30%. Households are predicted to pay an average of $1,359 this winter for energy – the highest in 25 years. This is occurring at a time when Americans are already suffering under 40-year high inflation and sky-high grocery and gas prices. Now, Americans will face tough decisions and shortfalls when trying to stay warm this winter while also putting food on the table. If the president continues to double-down on his anti-domestic energy agenda, everyday life will continue to be unaffordable for many Oklahomans.

It’s easy to see the cause-and-effect relationship between the Biden administration’s policies and our nation’s reality. This crisis is a direct response to the president’s decision to halt new and existing energy projects, drain our petroleum reserves to dangerously low levels, shut down pipeline construction, including the Keystone XL, and restrict American oil and gas production. Since energy is foundational to Americans’ needs, we must reverse these harmful policies to alleviate the dangerous shortages and make life affordable again.

The solutions are common-sense. We need to increase oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters, fast-track pending LNG export permits, expedite approval of all pipeline and energy development, and stop the regulatory assault on U.S. energy development and financing. Hardworking Oklahomans have the ability to produce clean, reliable, and affordable energy right in our home state, the Democrats just need to allow us to unleash our potential. Restoring our diesel reserves and resuming domestic oil and gas production will lower prices, fix supply chains, and get our economy back on track.