Malliotakis Calls on Biden to Ramp Up Energy Production, Ease Pain at Pump

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) - Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) today joined local elected officials, small business owners, and concerned members of the community in calling on the Biden Administration to ramp up domestic energy production to become less dependent on foreign oil, protect our national security, and reduce the financial burden inflation is putting on American taxpayers. During Malliotakis' press conference, the price of gas at the station jumped from $3.99 to $4.19.

"On the first day of Biden's presidency, he launched a war on American energy by canceling the Keystone XL Pipeline that would have given the United States access to 830,000 barrels of oil from Canada every day," Malliotakis said. "Not only that, but he halted all new oil and gas leases on public lands and proposed a budget that would have decimated our energy industry altogether. Because of these policy decisions, Americans are paying the price at the pump, at the grocery store, and on their monthly utility bills."

Malliotakis added: "It's incredibly important that we don't follow in the footsteps of our European allies when it comes to domestic energy production. We have the capability to become energy independent, and it would provide immediate relief for families all across America. What's occurring right now with Russia's inhumane invasion of Ukraine is only going to put more pressure on Americans at the pump. President Biden must lift his executive orders, restart construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, end the federal freeze on new oil and gas projects, fast track pending LNG permits to assist our allies, and stop the regulatory assault on domestic energy production. The United States needs to become more self-sufficient - it's a matter of national security and protecting the pocketbooks of everyday Americans."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, the cost of fuel and utilities rose nearly 19% in the New York City metropolitan area last month, with electricity costs rising 20.2% and gas prices rising 16.7% compared to January 2021. The national average price for a gallon of gas is $3.84, with the average price per gallon hitting $4.05 in New York and $5.07 in California.

"The price of living in New York City has become unbearable," said Assemblyman Michael Tannousis. "Gas prices are through the roof, our utility bills are through the roof. We are here to call on our federal and state governments to implement commonsense energy policies that will make New York City and the United States more affordable places to live."

"The price of gas went up $.20 since we've been standing here," said Assemblyman Michael Reilly. "It doesn't get more grim than that. Unlike the other boroughs, Staten Islanders depend on cars for commuting. It's time that we wake up and continue to raise these issues and demand policy changes."

"Inflation has always been a secret tax - it hits the people hardest who can afford it the least," said New York City Councilman David Carr. "The price of energy is volatile today because we have not been doing our part in this country to produce it. This crisis will continue to persist as long as we refuse to do our part and produce oil and natural gas in our country."

"It's been very difficult to operate a business in today's life after going through the pandemic and now with energy prices going through the roof," said David Shehadeh, owner of Olive Tree Marketplace on Staten Island. "My electric and gas bills have doubled from the previous month. It's going to be difficult to keep my doors open if this keeps going on."

"By purchasing oil from Russia, the U.S. and Europe are financing Russia's invasion of Ukraine," said Michael Petrov, a Ukrainian immigrant. "We can produce oil here that is much cleaner and has a much better quality. Today's policies should not persevere, they should be repealed."

WATCH MALLIOTAKIS' PRESS CONFERENCE HERE