Stitt writes letter to Biden, urging US for energy independence and stop importing Russian oil and gas | Local business news

Governor Kevin Stitt sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Tuesday asking that immediate action be taken to strengthen the United States and its allies abroad “by embracing America’s crude oil and natural gas industry and stopping import of Russian crude oil and natural gas products.”

In part, the letter states:

“Every administration since 1973, Republican and Democrat, has prioritized American energy independence – right up to yours. Recent events in Ukraine are another example of why we should be selling energy to our friends and not buy it from our enemies.

“Energy-producing states like Oklahoma stand ready to increase domestic production in an environmentally responsible way…With your support, we can dramatically increase production to meet America’s domestic needs and export energy to our allies, thereby reducing their dependence on foreign adversaries… .

“Mr. President, energy security is national security. Right now, before your first State of the Union address, there is a window of opportunity to turn the tide of your administration’s resistance. to domestic oil and gas production. I encourage you to embrace America’s energy-producing states here at home. Now is the time to put politics aside and work together to regain our energy independence and support our allies. in the whole world.

The entire letter can be read here.

The White House also issued a press release on the subject on Tuesday ahead of Biden’s State of the Union address.

“President Biden campaigned on a bold vision to tackle the climate crisis with the urgency science demands by seizing the opportunity to build a strong home energy sector that can manufacture and deploy clean energy globally. benefit all Americans – with lower costs for families, well-paying jobs for workers, and healthier air and cleaner water for communities,” he said.

“From day one, he delivered on his promises. After rejoining the Paris Agreement, restoring scientific integrity, and reinvigorating American leadership on the world stage, President Biden has mobilized all federal agencies to achieve game-changing goals. : Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels. By 2030, achieve 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and provide 40% of the benefits of federal investments in climate and clean energy to disadvantaged communities.

“The President has formed the first-ever National Climate Task Force, bringing together chiefs of staff to drive decisive action toward these goals.”

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., also released a statement on the matter.

“As we continue to support the ability of the Ukrainian people to defend themselves, strengthen our eastern NATO allies, and deter (Russian President Vladimir) Putin from further aggression, I call on the Biden administration to reverse its anti-fossil energy agenda and to do everything in its power to undermine one of the Kremlin’s greatest economic tools – high energy prices,” Inhofe said.

“This includes withdrawing from the radical and job-killing Paris climate accord, granting permits to restart the Keystone XL pipeline, dropping proposals for unprecedented new taxes on the oil and gas sector and the reduction in regulations that have increased America’s production costs over the course of this will not only weaken its ability to wage a continued war against Ukraine, but also provide much-needed relief here at home for working Americans tough, many of which face $5 a gallon at the gas pump and 40 years of high inflation.