Confused About the Biden Stance on Pipelines? You’re Not Alone

May 18, 2021

The recent cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline left millions of Americans on the East Coast facing rising gas prices, if they could find gas at all. It also underscored the importance that pipelines play in making sure that fuel can be delivered around the country in a timely, safe, efficient and environmentally friendly manner.

So, when the Colonial Pipeline went offline, Biden administration officials were left scrambling to explain why the pipeline was a critical piece of infrastructure. As The Washington Times recently reported, their responses were interesting, to say the least.

When the pipeline’s operations were restored, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said it would bring immediate benefits. “Well, certainly, when you’re talking about the efficiency of moving petroleum products, that’s why we have pipeline[s],” he said.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said, “…we have doubled down on ensuring that there’s an ability to truck [gas] in, but the [pipeline] is the best way to go.”

Even the administration’s climate czar John Kerry admitted the inherent advantages of pipelines, telling Congress that pipelines had greater efficiency and produced fewer greenhouse gases than trucks or trains. “I think that is true, but it doesn’t mean necessarily we want to be adding another [pipe]line when there are other alternatives. But is it better than train, better than that? Yes it is, in my judgment.”

If these comments leave you confused about the Biden administration’s opinion on pipelines, you’re not alone. After all, one of the administration’s first acts in office was to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have safely delivered 800,000 barrels of oil a day from Canada to the United States. At the time, the President said, “Leaving the Keystone XL pipeline permit in place would not be consistent with my Administration’s economic and climate imperatives.”

So, the administration is opposed to pipelines until there’s a gas shortage. Then they quickly pivot to spouting the benefits of pipelines.

In reality, this is what happens when your policies are based on fantasy instead of the real world. People need fuel, and pipelines are the safest, most efficient way to deliver it. The administration itself has now admitted it. Now it’s time they adjusted their policies to match their rhetoric.