I hope you saw my latest weekly column.

 

ROGER WICKER: Wicker calls out Biden’s job-killing energy decisions
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It has been almost a full year since the coronavirus first disrupted our
economy and changed daily life as we know it. In addition to the mounting death
toll, millions of Americans have suffered job losses, and entire industries
have been pushed to the brink. Federal relief has provided a critical
short-term lift to many families and businesses, but Americans now need a full
and sustainable recovery. I had hoped President Biden would make good on his
pledge to work with Republicans and lower barriers for job creators.
Unfortunately, his recent actions against the energy sector have shut the doors
of opportunity for thousands of Americans at the worst possible time.

 

President Biden’s early actions have taken a huge toll on American energy
jobs. On his first day in office, the President revoked the permit for the
Keystone XL pipeline, effectively ending a project that would have supported up
to 11,000 jobs and boosted our national oil supply. Mr. Biden justified his
decision by citing our current “climate crisis,” even though the pipeline would
have minimal impact on the environment. Ironically, canceling the pipeline will
likely lead to greater pollution because more Canadian oil will have to be
transported by diesel-powered rail.

 

The President continued his attack on American energy by ordering a pause on
all new oil and natural gas leases from federal lands and waters. This means
energy producers will not be able to obtain drilling rights in
federally-controlled areas for the foreseeable future, creating uncertainty for
our domestic energy supply. Our nation depends on these federal leases as a
major source of energy and economic growth. In 2019, federal leases accounted
for 22 percent of American oil and 12 percent of U.S. natural gas production,
with much of this output coming from wells in the Gulf of Mexico. These
offshore projects support 20,000 Mississippi jobs and have a positive ripple
effect across our economy. They also produce millions of dollars for
conservation and hurricane protection efforts along the coast. If these
royalties decline, there will not be enough money for these critical projects.

 

President Biden should reconsider his hostility toward oil and gas producers.
I fear that his actions will weaken our recovery by driving up energy costs and
needlessly shutting many Americans out of the workforce. These policies could
also undermine America’s energy independence at a time when our adversaries are
looking to exploit weaknesses.

 

Republicans have sprung into action to defend America’s energy sector. I have
joined 25 other senators to request a meeting with President Biden to share our
concerns about how his decisions will affect working Americans. The President
needs to know that our energy independence and thousands of American
livelihoods are at risk. I am also cosponsoring legislation authored by Sen.
John Kennedy, R-La., which would ensure American energy producers can continue
to access critical energy reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition, I am
backing legislation that would prohibit the President from blocking federal oil
and gas leases without congressional approval. I will continue doing everything
in my power to protect our nation’s energy resources and the thousands of
Mississippi jobs they support.

 

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Thank you for your support,

Senator Roger Wicker

 

 

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