Energy policy is often overlooked in national discussions, but its implications for individual finances and broader economic stability are profound. Dave Walsh appeared on the Saturday WarRoom with Dave Brat and criticized the Biden administration’s handling of energy policy, particularly regarding fracking and natural gas.
According to Walsh, the administration’s strategies undermine U.S. energy independence and have significant economic repercussions for voters, especially as Democrat Kamala Harris is running for President.
Kamala Harris’s Fracking Stance
In recent statements, Vice President Kamala Harris has insisted, “We are not going to ban fracking.” At first glance, this statement seems reassuring, especially to those concerned about maintaining domestic energy production. However, Walsh argues that this position is misleading. He describes Harris’s stance as “clever attorney speak,” noting that the administration’s actions speak louder than words. Instead of a direct ban, Walsh contends that the administration is effectively employing regulatory measures to stifle fracking and natural gas production.
Destruction of Demand
Walsh criticizes the administration for using policies to “destroy demand” for natural gas rather than implementing an outright ban on fracking. "The Kamala Harris strategy is clever attorney speak,” Walsh explains. "They don’t need to announce a ban on fracking. They just need to suppress demand through regulatory hurdles and policy barriers.” This approach includes creating a regulatory environment that makes natural gas production economically unfeasible by imposing stringent emissions regulations and blocking infrastructure projects.
Blocking Infrastructure
One of Walsh’s key criticisms on Saturday’s WarRoom program is the Biden-Harris administration’s obstruction of critical infrastructure necessary for natural gas production and export. He points out that the Biden administration has imposed a “16-month timeout on new permits for LNG terminals,” which he sees as a deliberate effort to hinder natural gas exports and infrastructure development. Walsh argues that these measures effectively stifle growth in the natural gas sector and limit the country’s ability to export energy resources.
Regulatory Overreach
Walsh also addresses the impact of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations under the current administration. He claims that the EPA’s stringent policies on methane and propane emissions are designed to make fossil fuel production economically impractical. "EPA regulations on methane and propane emissions are coming to make it impossible economically to harvest natural gas,” Walsh states. This regulatory environment contributes to increasing the cost of production and reduces the competitiveness of natural gas.
Economic Impact
The broader economic implications of these energy policies are significant. Walsh warns that the Biden administration’s approach will likely exacerbate the national deficit and contribute to currency instability. "Abandoning LNG export permits will raise the deficit, increase currency instability, and drive up interest rates,” he asserts. Walsh highlights how these policies affect the energy sector and cascade effects on the overall economy.
Walsh’s critique exposes a critical aspect of energy policy that affects industry stakeholders and everyday Americans. While the administration may publicly reject a fracking ban, the indirect measures it enacts are shaping the energy landscape in ways that could have far-reaching economic consequences. For voters, understanding these policies and their impacts is crucial, as they directly influence both energy prices and broader economic stability.
For more from Dave Walsh watch this WarRoom segment: