Republicans slammed President Biden’s decision to sell off one million barrels of gasoline over the coming weeks from a strategic reserve as a “desperate” attempt to cover for his environmental policies, which they say caused soaring prices at the pump.
The White House this week said it will tap the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve, a component of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. It was created in 2014 after Superstorm Sandy knocked out oil refineries in New York and New Jersey.
Administration officials said releasing the reserves over the weeks between Memorial Day and July 4, will reduce prices at the pump for the busy summer driving season.
Sen. Mike Lee, Utah Republican, accused Mr. Biden of “yet again using America’s energy fuel reserves to cover for his disastrous inflationary policies in an election year.”
Gasoline prices averaged about $3.59 per gallon nationwide on Tuesday, roughly 4 cents higher than the same period last year, but lower than in April, according to data from AAA.
When Mr. Biden took office in January 2021, gasoline was roughly $2.38 per gallon.
Republicans were quick to rip the idea, saying Mr. Biden has already significantly drained the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
When energy prices spiked after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Mr. Biden again tapped the reserve, dropping the stockpile to its lowest level since the 1980s. The move stabilized gas prices that were increasing because of the war but drew complaints from Democrats and Republicans that Mr. Biden, seeking to improve his political standing, was tinkering with a reserve meant for national emergencies.
The Biden administration has been gradually refilling the oil reserve, which has more than 367 million barrels of crude oil as of last week, lower than the levels before Mr. Biden drew on it in 2022.
“Releasing 1 million barrels of gasoline from the Northeast reserve is a desperate move by Joe Biden to lower prices that HE raised,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, wrote on X. “This reserve is meant for emergencies, not as a cover-up for Biden’s failed economic policies.”
Rep. Nicole Malliottakis, New York Republican, called on Mr. Biden to “reverse his damaging anti-energy policies.”
“Depleting our emergency reserves while discouraging domestic production. Such a winning strategy!,” tweeted Gabriella Hoffman, energy and conservation director of the Independent Women’s Forum.
Since coming into office, Mr. Biden has issued an executive order pausing new oil and gas drilling, mandated strict environmental reviews of drilling sites, and hiked the cost of drilling on federal lands.
The White House insisted its policies have helped reduce prices for consumers and protect the environment.
“This builds on other actions by President Biden to lower gas and energy costs — including historic releases from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the largest-ever investment in clean energy,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a statement.
“While congressional Republicans fight to preserve tax breaks for Big Oil at the expense of hardworking families, President Biden is advancing a more secure, affordable, and clean energy future to lower utility bills while record American energy production helps meet our immediate needs,” she said.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.