The energy industry has been one of the few to thrive as the economy gradually rebounds from the 2008-09 financial crisis. But President Barack Obama’s energy policies jeopardize this success, says South Dakota Sen. John Thune, chairman of the Senate Republican Conference.
“The energy industry has been a bright spot amid otherwise gloomy economic news,” he writes on
Politico. “Domestic energy production is increasing, and jobs are beginning to spring up around new energy construction.”
Obama would like to take credit for the progress, Thune says. “But, in reality, recent U.S. energy growth is largely a result of private-sector investment and policies put in place by his predecessors.”
And what of Obama’s moves?
“The energy policies this president has adopted are jeopardizing the progress we have made, and if he continues them, the U.S. energy boom could soon be over. Moreover, the president’s policies are driving up energy prices for consumers,” Thune writes on Politico.
Gasoline prices already have doubled under Obama, as they now stand near $4 a gallon, with some experts seeing $5 by the end of May, Thune notes.
“If the president continues to restrict access to domestic energy resources and drive up the cost of production, energy prices will continue to worsen.”
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