President Biden argues that Russia and Saudi Arabia are not producing enough oil, despite his efforts to reduce production.
“I do think the idea that Russia and Saudi Arabia, and other major producers are not going to pump more oil so people can have gasoline to get to and from work, for example, is not right,” Biden said during a press conference after the G20 Summit in Europe.
On Saturday, the president urged energy-producing countries at the summit to boost oil production to pressure OPEC+ nations to increase supply and reduce gas prices worldwide.
Biden acknowledged it appeared ironic that he and other world leaders traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, for a climate change summit while asking oil-producing nations to produce more. He argued the economy was still powered by oil.
“The idea that we’re going to be able to move to renewable energy overnight, and from this moment on not use oil, not use gas, not use hydrogen, is just not rational,” Biden said.
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He said with U.S. gas over $3.35 a gallon; it compares to a tax on American workers who travel to and from for their jobs.
The president did not mention his efforts that hurt oil production in the United States. Since taking office, Biden has halted the Keystone XL pipeline and suspended new oil, coal, and gas leases on federal land.
Also, during the press conference, Biden noted he would do more to stop government subsidies for oil production and focus on more funding on subsidies for green energy.
“We will get to the point that by 2050 we’ll have zero emissions,” he said.