Biden’s Dilemma: Pushing Fossil Fuels to Cut Gas Prices While Promoting Clean Energy Agenda

Bracewell Policy Resolution Group Senior Principal Frank Maisano discussed with USA TODAY the challenges facing the Biden administration in transitioning the nation toward clean and renewable energy considering soaring gas prices, inflation and the conflict in Ukraine.

“With inflation and now with the Ukraine crisis, you’ve started to see some of the energy reality that we’re in,” said Maisano. “We really do use internal combustion engines, right? They move the economy.”

Biden’s decision to release oil from the nation’s strategic reserves and to call for oil and gas companies to ramp up production even as he is advocating the nation move toward cleaner energy “just shows the raw, naked political position that this administration is in,” Maisano added.

On one side, climate activists who supported Biden’s campaign for president are pushing for him to move away from fossil fuels and to decarbonize the economy. On the other hand, Americans are clamoring for Biden to do something to help bring down gas prices.

The result has been mixed signals coming from the administration as it tries to walk a fine line, Maisano said.

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