Joe Biden’s “9,000 unused drilling permits” lie – By Jazz Shaw (Hot Air) / Mar 1, 2023
This is a story that most of you are familiar with by now. Ever since taking office, Joe Biden has received complaints about the high price of gasoline and other fuels as well as the slow collapse of America’s energy grid. Critics point to Biden’s own policies, specifically the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline and his failure to issue any more drilling permits beyond the bare minimum mandated by law. (And he’s missed some of those targets as well.) In response, Biden points the finger of blame at the oil and gas industry, claiming that the oil companies are “sitting on 9,000 unused drilling permits.” This claim has been repeated endlessly by Biden’s loyal stenographers in the legacy media. But as it turns out, that claim was incorrect. In fact, the number he’s been citing isn’t even close to being correct. (Free Beacon)
In his quest to shift blame for rising gas prices, President Joe Biden accused oil companies of “sitting on nearly 9,000 unused but approved” drilling permits. Now, his own administration is acknowledging that’s wrong.
Biden’s Interior Department quietly updated its list of unused permits to reflect a much lower figure: 6,600, E&E News reported Monday. The department, which manages oil and gas drilling on federal land, blamed the change on a “reporting discrepancy.”
The revelation comes as a blow to Biden as he attempts to defend himself from Republican critics, who argue that the Democrat is “attacking American energy” and raising gas prices by slowing fossil fuel production.
CONTINUE > https://hotair.com/jazz-shaw/2023/03/01/joe-bidens-9000-unused-drilling-permits-lie-n534052
