Biden Admin Drained Strategic Petroleum Reserve to Save ‘Global Economy’: White House Adviser

The Epoch Times Header

The Biden administration has claimed it drained the heavily depleted U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in order to save the “global economy.”

The White House’s International Energy Affairs adviser, Amos Hochstein, told CNBC “Squawk Box” host Joe Kernen on Dec. 5: “I had conversations—as did others, my colleagues—with CEOs and other senior executives in the oil industry in the United States … We were told it will take us time to increase production, it would take us six months, seven months to increase production and bring that to market.

“They thought that would be by the end of the year,” he said.

President Joe Biden authorized the release of up to 180 million barrels of oil from the SPR in March to lower surging gas prices after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Biden has repeatedly blamed spiking gas prices on Russian President Vladimir Putin and American oil companies pushing up their prices. This is despite the administration’s own anti-fossil fuel policies to deny the industry investment funds, which have been a factor in the lowered domestic production and supply of oil and gas—also pushing up prices.

The administration later released another 10 million barrels from the SPR in October, right before the midterms, bringing the oil reserve to its lowest level since 1984, according to Forbes.

The SPR fell from 640 million barrels to less than 450 million barrels by the beginning of October.

Host Kernen said the Biden administration had consistently accused oil companies of price gouging before the midterm elections but had since dropped their denunciations after gas prices fell in recent weeks.

“So if oil companies and refiners were able to control the prices and gouge and profiteer at the higher levels, why does the Biden administration get credit when market forces take over and they do come down?” he asked.

He then asked if the Democrats “just say this stuff to their base?”

By Bryan Jung

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Viewers like you

There is no constitutional authority for any spending on public broadcasting – period. Any questions: See Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Beyond the Trump-Musk fallout?

We are witnessing an unprecedented, unhinged Democrat effort to use lawfare, big Democrat donors, street theater, congressional disruptions, potty-mouth videos, the administrative state, the legacy media, and discredited pollsters to stop the Trump agenda.

Trans-wormal

No worm ever said "I am anthropomorphizing, I am a butterfly" to a toad or flock of geese and expected acknowledgement and support.

In Greenland’s Icy Capital, Past Troubles Haunt Hopes for the Future

As geopolitical realities and ongoing economic growth raise the stakes, U.S. interest in Greenland and the dream of independence may change things in a big way.

How a Chinese Government Statistician Was Forced to Report Fake Data

Chinese local govt employee produced a non-authorized report on bees and was visited by police and threatened with being sent to a mental hospital.

News

Supreme Court Sides With DOGE in Social Security, Records Cases

The Supreme Court handed DOGE two big wins late on June 6 in its effort to reduce the size of the federal government.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returns to US to Face Criminal Charges

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador, is on his way back to the US, where he will face criminal charges for allegedly smuggling illegal immigrants.

White House Adviser Gives Update on DOGE’s Future Amid Musk–Trump Spat

A top White House adviser said DOGE’s work will likely continue amid a spat between its former chief, Elon Musk, and President Donald Trump.

Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Allow Dismantling of Education Department

Trump admin asked Supreme Court to allow it to resume dismantling U.S. Dept of Education, following a lower court’s previous order halting process.

FTC Warns of Rising Student Loan Scams, Says Fraudsters Took Millions From Borrowers

FTC is warning borrowers to steer clear of student loan debt-relief scams, after shutting down group of companies that allegedly charged millions in illegal fees and left customers worse off.

Walmart’s Drone Delivery Coming to 5 More US Cities

Walmart is set to launch its drone delivery service in five more U.S. cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa, the company.

Court Orders Trump Administration to Restore AmeriCorps Funding to States

Federal court ordered Trump admin to restore AmeriCorps funding to states. The ruling comes as part of a lawsuit filed by 24 states and DC.

Tax Deductions You Can Take Without Itemizing

It’s not always beneficial to itemize. With IRS’s current standard deduction for 2025 most Americans who can’t itemize go with standard deduction.
spot_img

Related Articles