Energy Report: Obama Goes On Offense About Gas Prices, Reliance On Foreign Oil

WASHINGTON -- At a time when Congressional Republicans are scrambling to find ways to blame him for rising gas prices, President Barack Obama on Monday plans to spotlight the progress his administration has made in saving people money at the pump and reducing U.S. reliance on foreign oil.

The White House unveiled a new report early Monday that boasts of successes by the administration in making America more energy independent over the past three years.

"During the last year alone, we established new incentives to increase safe and responsible domestic oil and gas production; proposed the toughest fuel economy standards for cars and trucks in history; provided millions of Americans with efficient and affordable transportation choices; launched new programs to improve energy efficiency in our homes, buildings, public transit, aviation and roadway systems; and took unprecedented steps to make the United States a leader in the clean energy race," reads the cover letter to the report, titled "A Secure Energy Future: A Progress Report." The letter is signed by Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, among other Cabinet officials.

The report calls attention to Obama's first-ever fuel economy standards for heavy-duty vehicles, announced in August 2011, and highlights how they will save truck operators $50 billion in fuel costs over the life of the vehicles. Along with that, the report says Obama's July 2011 requirement that passenger vehicles achieve 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 puts consumers on track to save more than $8,000 in lower fuel costs.

A White House official on Sunday emphasized that Obama is also on his way to achieving his goal of reducing U.S. oil imports by a third by 2025. The administration has already cut net imports by 10 percent, or a million barrels a day, the report says, thanks to "booming U.S. oil and gas production, more efficient cars and trucks and a world-class refining sector that last year was a net exporter for the first time in sixty years."

Other notable stats in the report include the administration doubling U.S. renewable energy generation from wind, solar and geothermal sources; the Energy Department funding more than 120 projects focused on energy breakthroughs; and the Department of Energy and the Department of Housing and Urban Development completing energy upgrades in more than 1 million homes, which translates to more than $400 in savings on each family's heating and cooling bills.

The president's effort to tout his energy policy comes as Republicans are trying to come up with ways, even if they're not true, to blame Obama for rising gas prices. His move also comes as a new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows growing disapproval of Obama's handling of the economy, something people are tying to rising gas prices. The poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans say they disapprove of the way the president is responding to increasing gas costs.

Obama isn't wasting any time selling his energy successes to the media. He plans to spend Monday morning giving interviews to local TV anchors from Los Angeles, Denver, Austin, Des Moines, Orlando, Cincinnati, Las Vegas and Pittsburgh to tout the accomplishments outlined in the new report.

Comments

[Mover]

02:56 PM on 07/30/2012

"we established new incentives to increase safe and responsible domestic oil and gas production"
More regs = higher prices.

"proposed the toughest fuel economy standards for cars and trucks in history"

Which will increase prices and has had no affect on energy prices today.

"provided millions of Americans with efficient and affordable transportation choices"

Haven't seen them.

"launched new programs to improve energy efficiency in our homes, buildings, public transit, aviation and roadway systems"

I.e., more regulations and increased costs, while throwing money away.

"took unprecedented steps to make the United States a leader in the clean energy race,"

Gave billions of dollars to Obama supporters.

Another DNC propaganda piece busted.

[Robert Lee Harrington]

02:11 PM on 07/30/2012

Why Gas Prices Are Out of Any President’s Control

"... Oil is a global market in which America is a big consumer but a small supplier. We consume about 20 percent of the world’s oil but hold only 2 percent of the oil reserves. That means we are, in economics jargon, “price takers.” Domestic production has increased during the Obama administration, but it has had minimal effects on global prices because, as producers, we are just too small to matter much. And even if domestic oil companies further increased production, they would sell to the highest global bidder.

If you’re not convinced by economic theory or the opinions of economists, consider some recent history. Presumably, no one would call President George W. Bush unfriendly to the oil industry. Yet the price of gasoline rose steadily during most of his administration. In February 2001, just after Mr. Bush took office, the average price of regular gasoline was $1.45 a gallon. By June 2008, that price had risen to $4.05. Still think presidents and oil-friendly policies can determine oil prices?

It’s true that by the end of the Bush presidency, prices had fallen back to $1.69, as oil prices plummeted with the rest of the global economy..."

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/01/business/gas-prices-are-out-of-any-presidents-control.html

[Mover]

02:56 PM on 08/01/2012

"Why Gas Prices Are Out of Any President’s Control"

We know the president can influence gas prices to some degree by using his bully pulpit to support US businesses, enacting laws or making decrees that support or prevent energy exploration, making treaties with other nations and reducing/increasing regulations and read tape.

Besides, you cannot blame everything on everyone else simply because they were President when it happened and then claim you can't influence it when you are President.

"We consume about 20 percent of the world’s oil but hold only 2 percent of the oil reserves."

Incorrect. The President cites old data (because it works in his favor). The correct amount of US Oil reserves are about 72 times that 2% figure (1,442 Billion barrels vs. 20 Billion that Obama uses). http://tinyurl.com/7egq4bs And more good reading on this: http://tinyurl.com/6ntvubg

"just after Mr. Bush took office, the average price of regular gasoline was $1.45 a gallon. By June 2008, that price had risen to $4.05. "

You ignore that it was the economic turmoil in 2007-2008 that caused the price to increase so much and credit it for bringing the price down again.

Lefties do the same thing with job creation, claiming Bush didn't have any jobs created on his watch by completely ignoring the 8 million jobs that were created before the mortgage meltdown that congressional Democrats and weak kneed Republicans caused.

[Robert Lee Harrington]

02:10 PM on 07/30/2012

Under George W. Bush, gas prices increased 275 percent (2001 – 2008)
Posted on February 20, 2012

“…under George W. Bush, the price of gasoline increased from $1.60 per gallon when he took office in January 2001 to $4.40 per gallon in July 2008, a jump of 275 percent.”

[Mover]

03:00 PM on 08/01/2012

"Under George W. Bush, gas prices increased 275 percent (2001 – 2008)
Posted on February 20, 2012 "

And then President Bush lowered the price after the Democrat Congress' Great recession began to $1.60 per gallon again, a drop of 275%.

You should be praising President Bush.

[Robert Lee Harrington]

04:01 PM on 08/01/2012

The ONLY THING BUSH DID TO LOWER GAS PRICES WAS CRASH THE ECONOMY.

[Fred Bronson]

05:44 AM on 07/29/2012

He's a good one to talk he jumps on the plane and flies to CA for dinner, how much fuel does that use

[BeachSurfer]

07:10 AM on 07/29/2012

BeachSurfer
faved Good Morning Fred Bronson my friend! Your post is Priceless, as always! Have an awesome day!

[Fred Bronson]

10:22 AM on 07/29/2012

Thank you. Most in here and else where try to sugar coat their remarks, as not to offend a certain group, I don't worry about what others think, nor my spelling, or most times how I phrase it, glad it amuses you, and thank you. You have a great day. Beachsurfer

[Linda Bertrand]

07:24 AM on 04/26/2012

The recent increase in gas prices has once again brought the issue of energy policy to the forefront of the American psyche. You were correct in your February 23rd speech that there is no short-term fix for gas prices, however the presentation of your long term ideas and solutions has done little to actually move the issue foreword. I suggest that you begin to focus your efforts and rhetoric on concrete efforts that will ripen the issue for public debate rather than proposing far-off agenda items and assuming ephemeral ownership of technical fixes. In other words, your administration should shift from proposing actual policies to creating and managing a process of getting the American people to take ownership of the issue and identify solutions in the process.

http://chriscrosby.net/blog/2012/03/16/americas-gas-pains/

[chisnaalaska]

03:12 PM on 03/16/2012

I couldn't understand it when the republicans sabotaged Carters progressive energy policies in the 1980's. And I can't understand now why they have been opposing everything from increasing CAFE standards to trying to develop alternative fuels. Yes, increased domestic production needs to be part of the solution. ( and that is happening ) but increased domestic production alone isn't the answer.

Hell, even the U.S. military and Exxon know that to be true. Why else would the military be planning to supply half of their fuel needs from algae based bio fuels by 2020, and why else would Exxon have spent 100's of millions into it's development and BP and Shell billions of dollars.

[Mover]

03:11 PM on 08/01/2012

"I couldn't understand it when the republicans sabotaged Carters progressive energy policies in the 1980's. "

You mean that you do not understand why President Reagan would end waiting lines for gas, double digit inflation, double digit interest rates and double digit unemployment rates? So, yeah, why would he impose that on America?

Really folks. President Carter was the absolute worst President in the history of the country. Too bad President Obama is trying to out do him for that title.

[Bar Kokhba]

05:06 PM on 03/15/2012

Oil, the volatile organic compounds (VOC) that have defined and framed the world for almost 100 years. Kevin Phillips, the seminal conservative author of the 1960’s through today, who coined such phrases as “Sun Belt” and “Bible Belt”, has argued that it is OIL and the pursuit thereof that has compelled the US to establish and maintain her Empire. It is Big OIL and associated interests that has injected wedge issues into politics, i.e. religion, gay rights, etc.. His book, American Theocracy is a vivid and harrowing account of OIL’s influence on foreign policy, the Iraq invasion, and “friendship” with “The House of Saud” It is not surprising, Phillips argues, that some of the most conservative (some might argue regressive) States in the Union are driven purely by their oil interests. It is obvious that OIL and the oligopolies that have formed have exacted enough damage to our country and needs to be dramatically reformed. But once again, Obama, shows his maddening ability to point out the obvious without suggesting a honest and workable remedy. No mention of OPEC and their collusive practices. NO mention of the injurious practices of speculators. The ridiculous business model better known as the global oil markets including Brent and Texas intermediate, etc. which serves only to fix prices irrespective of supply/demand models. OPEC must be brought to their knees; speculators reeled in, and oil corporations broken up and by enforcing anti-trust laws currently on the books.

[Mar14]

09:09 PM on 03/14/2012

Since they seem so theatrically "indignant" about oil prices rather than solving the issues, I tend to believe Republicans are most likely in collusion with Big Oil and Wall Street to spike the price of gasoline. While they profit, American suffers.

A little history:
May 2011: "Federal regulators charged five oil speculators Tuesday with manipulating the price of crude and making a $50 million profit from the scheme."

http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/24/markets/oil_price_speculation/index.htm

[mjtaylor22]

11:23 AM on 03/14/2012

the rfree market is drivign up gas prices so they can make a profit why are republicans complaining this is the scenario they have been promoting for half a century....unfettered free markets.....now they want to blame the govt for not constraining free markets..........adn their profits............

[azinv]

10:14 AM on 03/14/2012

When Obama was first running for pres he was all over Bush when gasoline spiked in price. Now, it's not the presidents fault. Can't wait to see the replays of those adds by Romney in the general election.

[intolleft]

07:51 AM on 03/14/2012

Inflate tires
tune ups
pond scum.

O's energy policy

[tokyomk]

04:47 AM on 03/14/2012

If you want to blame someone for rising energy costs blame yourself, you neighbor and the factory worker in China.

The world does not have an infinite amount of oil. It is all about supply and demand. The global oil supply is rapidly dwindling while the world's thirst for oil is rapidly increasing.

[gwrit]

01:52 PM on 03/14/2012

Wrong. You are talking about the *theory* of peak oil. This is just a theory and is being proven to be wrong every day with the discovery of new oil. There is enough oil to supply all of our nations needs for decades just from the Baaken oil fields which stretch from southern Canada to Iowa. Yes it is supply and demand, but our own supplies are much higher than they have ever been, not to mention our reserves are at all time highs. The main issue is supplies of gas. Our supplies of gas are lower than many times in history, but like the President said our refining of gas is up. We exported more gas than any other time in our history. Oil companies reap the benefits of us subsidizing their oil by providing tax breaks and incentives. Since we subsidize it then there should be a law of drill here sell here. Our demand has pretty much leveled off too over the last 4 years. There are far fewer SUV's on the road and the vast majority of cars on the road get more than 25mpg.

[tokyomk]

01:39 PM on 03/16/2012

I will agree that in the US, UK, Japan, Europe the consumption of oil is likely to level off due to better fuel efficiency, hybrids, and fewer Hummers on the road. The big increase is in the 3rd world and especially India and China. Those economies are booming and as more people there have the financial means to own a car, they will.

As for peak oil, the problem is the diminishing energy rate when you factor the cost of getting the oil from the Alberta Oil Sands or the Shale oil in Colorado or from the Continental Shelf. There is oil left, but it is inaccessible and very costly to produce.

It is more likely that the US will wean itself off of oil with more efficient vehicles, but the rest of the world will suffer from ever increasing fuel prices.

[dknowles60]

02:28 PM on 07/28/2012

bull oil can be made from coal

[tokyomk]

06:01 PM on 07/29/2012

If only it were that simple. You have failed to consider the energy cost, financial cost, and the environmental cost in converting coal into fuels. In addition, access to coal is rapidly decreasing, since much of it is too deep in the earth for extraction, or lays beneath urban areas.

[C Trucker]

10:48 PM on 03/13/2012

Anyone remember when before the Alaska Oil field and pipeline was done they (GOP) Said it would bring Down gas prices???? and when it did come online the GAS prices went UP? WE NEED to get off OIL

[Group 8807]

11:38 PM on 03/13/2012

Silly Libby, every other energy source is WAY more expensive.

[KimberlyKay]

12:12 AM on 03/14/2012

Not. Check out the price of natural gas... a commodity we have in abundance that is NOT sold on the world market.

[KimberlyKay]

11:56 PM on 03/13/2012

I remember. I also remember what happened when a president set price controls on oil. That president was Richard Nixon. His price controls did not work. Instead of less expensive oil, people waited hours to fill their tanks because of extreme gasoline shortages all over the country.

[johuyik]

07:41 PM on 03/13/2012

We could stick an oil field in every backyard in America and it might make about 10-cents/gal difference. The problem is our dependence on oil, and Obama and the Democrats are the only ones with the guts to do something about it.

[OnceProudAmerican]

10:16 PM on 03/13/2012

So True!

[Group 8807]

11:40 PM on 03/13/2012

There isn't anything to do that isn't being done.

Why does Obama and the Democrats believe we can't research other energies AND maximize petroleum production?

No guts?

[coolhandfreak]

02:01 AM on 03/14/2012

Thanks for defriending me. Saw your name at the end of my short follow list. Have a nice evening anyway.

[goserenee1]

02:07 AM on 03/14/2012

Don't you know that gas prices are driven by oil speculation also. That they add almost 60cents onto the price of gas! When Georgie was in office gas was @$4.12. more than now. Gas will never go back to 2.50!

[A2phil]

07:28 PM on 03/13/2012

It's about time Obama is taking the offensive on SOMETHING...

Maybe he's developing a spine??

[dumocraps]

02:19 PM on 03/14/2012

His offense in a good defense, that's it.