High(er) energy costs are here to stay as the brain dead Biden administration continues to ruin America --- For the first time since 1958, the U.S. did not hold any offshore oil or gas lease sales, a reflection of the Biden-Harris administration’s energy policies that emphasize renewable energy over fossil fuels. - The last U.S. oil and gas lease sale took place in 2023, required by the Inflation Reduction Act. Offshore oil production in the Gulf of Mexico accounts for 14% of total U.S. oil output, but exploration is declining. The Biden-Harris administration plans to hold only three oil and gas lease sales from 2025 to 2029. - This trend was largely influenced by the Biden-Harris administration’s focus on renewable energy, particularly offshore wind power. In fact, the only reason any lease sales occurred in 2023 was due to a provision in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which required the Interior Department to hold oil and gas lease sales before offering leases for offshore wind. This provision, spearheaded by Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV), ensured that fossil fuel interests would not be completely sidelined, as the administration pursued its goal of building 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. Despite the required lease sales in 2023, the administration sought to reduce the size of the available area for oil and gas leases by 6 million acres and imposed restrictions in response to environmental concerns over endangered Rice whales. However, these restrictions were struck down by a federal judge. Looking ahead, the administration’s newly released five-year offshore drilling program significantly limits future oil and gas lease sales. The program includes just three lease sales between now and 2029, all in the Gulf of Mexico, a stark contrast to past policies that encouraged more aggressive exploration. Energy experts, including Alex Epstein, author of "Fossil Future," argue that current oil production levels have been maintained despite—not because of—Biden’s policies. Many critics believe the long-term effects of this approach will be felt in the years to come, potentially putting more strain on domestic energy supplies. Meanwhile, the administration has been criticized for easing sanctions on Venezuela’s oil production while restricting U.S. offshore development. Elmer “Bud” Danenberger, a former engineer in the Interior Department’s offshore oil and gas program, noted the irony in the administration’s position, suggesting that domestic oil producers are being hampered while foreign producers are given a pass - https://mxmnews.com/article/8dd9ee62-b2bc-47fa-830e-4c948ff80c32?2024-is-first-time-in-66-years-that-u-s-held-no-oil-or-gas-leases
