Note from Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson: This is a submitted column by a candidate running for election. Its publication does not constitute the Dispatch Editorial Board’s endorsement of the views expressed.
When Joe Biden entered office, the U.S. was a net energy exporter for the first time since the 1950s.
We had record oil and gas production and a decade of declines in emissions due largely to increased extraction of natural gas.
The U.S. was proving to the world what was once thought to be impossible: you could increase energy production and reduce emissions at the same time.
Instead of further advancing the strong, incentive-driven energy policies of Donald Trump, Democrats at the state and federal level are seeking to stall North American energy production to the benefit of Russia and China.
More: Biden suspends oil leases in Alaska’s Arctic refuge
Biden has been in office a little more than one year, and in that time he has killed the Keystone XL Pipeline, proceeded with banning drilling leases on federal land and pushed the irresponsible Build Back Better Act, which restricts access to energy resources in Alaska and on the Outer Continental Shelf.
The Biden Administration has also done nothing to stop Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s attempts to shutdown Line 5, which would have a detrimental impact on workers and the local economy in Ohio.
These actions were pursued in the name of reducing emissions, yet the fact is that U.S. emissions have increased 5 percent since Biden entered office.
Who has benefitted from these actions?
The clear winner is Vladimir Putin and Russian energy oligarchs who swiftly moved to seize upon increased demand inside world markets.
Our nation’s energy policy over the past 12 months has not only hurt U.S. workers, consumers and businesses by limiting energy production, but has actually strengthened Putin’s power by making Russian production and their so-called “pipeline diplomacy” even more potent in the global energy game.
Putin now threatens Ukraine with invasion and is demanding that America and our allies withdraw NATO forces from Eastern Europe.
More: Putin says US, NATO have ‘ignored’ Russia’s security demands on Ukraine: What we know
The Russians also sought approval of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which was established to make Germany and Eastern Europe more dependent on Russian natural gas imports. When Republicans in Congress attempted to slap sanctions on the Russian pipeline, it was blocked byBiden and Democrats.
Now, there are reports of Russia limiting natural gas imports to Europe during the winter heating season to maximize their geopolitical leverage. While Russia will be losing out on some exports to Europe, they can afford this kind of action since the Chinese Communist Party is increasingly buying large amounts of Russian oil and gas to secure their own energy needs.
More: How the Nord Stream 2 pipeline became a bargaining chip in the crisis between Russia and Ukraine
One authoritarian regime bankrolling another. Each sharing a healthy appetite for land grabs and expansion.
One year ago, the pro-energy policies of the Trump Administration were a roadblock for Putin. The U.S. is now exporting record amounts of liquified natural gas to European ports to provide relief for the energy crisis. This has bought the European Union time and given them strength to aid Ukraine and refusePutin’s demands.
U.S. energy independence is more than a slogan, it’s an indispensable economic tool in the arsenal of democracy. The ability of American workers, industry and suppliers to export energy to allied nations helps them maintain freedom from the growing shadow cast by dictators like Xi Jinping and Putin.
Biden’s attempt to stall domestic production undermines American energy independence. While these actions may advance Democratic efforts to incrementally achieve their reckless Green New Deal, it will have little to no impact on lower emissions. Even more dangerous, these actions carry grave consequences for the free world.
Matt Dolan is a state senator from Chagrin Falls and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Matt Dolan: Joe Biden energy policy plays to Putin, Russian advantage
