Democrats are being criticized for policies that have contributed to rising gas prices, according to a Fox News opinion piece by David Asman.
The article contends that Democratic administrations have actively worked to increase gas prices, pointing to President Biden's first executive order, which canceled the Keystone XL pipeline. This pipeline would have transported 830,000 barrels of Canadian oil daily to U.S. refineries, which are specifically equipped to process the heavy crude into much-needed diesel and jet fuel.
Democrats' past actions also include vetoes of the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act by President Barack Obama in 2015. Several Democratic presidential hopefuls have also supported carbon taxes. Kamala Harris stated in 2019 that her plan would include a carbon fee, and Pete Buttigieg campaigned on implementing a carbon tax, which he acknowledged was a politically sensitive term.
As Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg promoted the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), even as consumers showed reluctance and manufacturers faced challenges. General Motors reportedly absorbed $11.2 billion in losses and canceled EV infrastructure plans, while Ford eliminated models like the electric F-150 truck, leading to a $19.5 billion EV write-down. The piece notes instances where EV owners reported dissatisfaction, particularly after battery failures in cold weather.
The author also links the Green New Deal, partly incorporated into the Inflation Reduction Act, to increased energy costs. The article claims that these initiatives and investments have led to significant increases at the pump. It compares historical peak gas prices, stating that under President Obama, prices reached $4.55 a gallon (equivalent to $6.78 today), while under President Biden, they peaked at $5.03 in June 2022 (equivalent to $5.79 today). This is contrasted with a peak of $4.55 during the Trump administration.
The piece concludes that Democrats are in a poor position to criticize current gas prices given their history of implementing policies that drive up fuel costs.