S.I. Republicans call for energy independence amid rising gas prices

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As gas prices across the country continue to climb at a rapid rate, calls for the United States to lessen its dependence on foreign energy sources are growing.

On Friday, a group of Staten Island elected officials, led by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), gathered at a Shell gas station in Dongan Hills to call on the federal government to allow initiatives that would enhance the country’s energy independence in an effort to combat rising prices at the pump.

“I wanted to take a moment to talk about energy independence, and how incredibly important it is that we ramp up energy production here in our country. We have the capability to do so, and could provide immediate relief for families,” Malliotakis said.

Currently, the national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.84, over a dollar more than the $2.75 national average one year ago today, according to AAA.

Here in New York City, it’s even more expensive to fuel up, with the average price for a gallon of gas in the Big Apple currently sitting at $4.06, compared to just $2.86 a year ago, AAA data shows.

The congresswoman called on President Joe Biden’s administration to restart construction of the Keystone Pipeline project, end the federal freeze on all new oil and gas projects, and fast-track all domestic pipeline and energy development projects.

“It’s about the pocketbooks of everyday Americans. They’re getting crushed right now. They can’t afford to fill their gas tanks to get to work,” Malliotakis said. “I am for clean energy. I am for renewable energy and my record as a state legislator will prove that. That’s not the issue here. The issue is we cannot be excluding and canceling oil and gas and traditional sources of energy.”

Malliotakis said that it makes no sense for the country to rely on imported oil, particularly from Russia, when higher-quality oil can be produced domestically.

“It’s no cleaner to be importing hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil from Russia. In fact, Russian oil is much dirtier than what we produce here in the United States,” she said.

David Shehadeh, owner of Olive Tree Marketplace, said that over the last few years it has become increasingly difficult to run a business between the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the rising energy costs.

“My electric bills have doubled from the previous month, and also my gas bill has doubled, so it’s been very difficult to operate a business and keep my doors open,” Shehadeh said. “Let’s keep our energy costs down, because right now a lot of people are being forced to close their doors, and it’s very sad.”

Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R-South Shore) noted that the gas price at the Shell station where the press conference was being held increased by 20 cents during the time they were there, emphasizing that Staten Islanders are disproportionally reliant on gas compared to the rest of New York City.

“We don’t have the same public options for commuting as the other boroughs. We depend on cars. What are we doing to our community? This is the issue. This is what it’s costing us,” Reilly said.

Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island) said that the rising energy costs can be attributed, in part, to the fact that large portions of the country’s energy are not being produced domestically.

“The price of energy is volatile today because we have not been doing our part in this country to produce it. It makes us more reliant on foreign energy sources, and it makes us more susceptible to spikes in the cost of energy when there are conflicts and strife across the world,” said Carr.

Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn) said the rising costs have made living in New York City “unbearable,” reiterating Malliotakis’ calls for energy independence.

“We are here to call on our federal and state government to implement common-sense energy policies that will make New York City and the United States more affordable places to live,” he said.