Biden’s Energy Secretary doesn’t know how much energy we use

The Biden administration continues to show an alarming lack of competency when it comes to basic energy concepts.

A case in point occurred last week when the Biden administration announced they would release 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to help reduce the surging price of gasoline. During the press conference, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm was asked if she knew how many barrels of oil the United States consumed every day.

Secretary Granholm replied: “I don’t have that number in front of me.  Sorry.”

The fact that the Secretary of Energy doesn’t know how much energy we use off the top of her head is simply unforgivable. Granholm oversees the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) — the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy — which is the agency that compiles this information.

EIA data show the United States consumes about 18 million barrels per day, meaning the release from the SPR would account for less than three days worth of oil production. Releasing three days’ worth of oil will have no long-term impact on gasoline prices.

Gas prices are surging throughout the country, causing pain at the pumps for American families and businesses who are already struggling with inflation. It’s no surprise that the Biden administration is unable to help keep prices in check when they don’t know basic facts about how much energy we use.