Halfway through his term, President Joe Biden can use his State of the Union address to tout billions of dollars’ worth of congressional appropriations to make the U.S. more energy self-reliant, but the window for big legislative breakthroughs is likely over with a Republican-majority House.
Biden urged Congress during his State of the Union last year to adopt his energy proposals even as he warned the public to brace for higher pump prices and heating bills because of the war-triggered scarcity of petroleum products. He also argued that federal investments in renewable energy and electrification would eventually save consumers money.
“A Russian dictator invading a foreign country has costs around the world,” Biden said, adding that he would use sales from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to buttress the oil supply. Allies would sell some of their stockpiles on the global market, lowering prices, Biden said. “These steps will help blunt gas prices here at home.”
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