Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is blaming the pandemic for soaring gas prices.
Since President Joe Biden took office on Jan. 20, the national average gas price has soared more than 50 cents. As of Friday, it stood at nearly $3 per gallon — $2.96. The average was $2.38 per gallon when Biden took office, and $2.11 per gallon on Election Day last year.
What did Granholm say?
CNN anchor Jake Tapper confronted Granholm on Friday about skyrocketing gas prices, asking the former Michigan Democratic governor whether high energy prices will slow down the post-pandemic economic recovery.
“Beyond whether or not you think your policies are to blame, are you worried that the prices could impact whether or not Americans travel, which is, of course, needed to put money back into the economy?” Tapper asked.
In response, Granholm suggested an out-of-control COVID-19 virus is to blame for higher prices at the pump.
“People need to travel, you’re right, but we need to get the virus under control first, we need to get to that 70%, we need to get to herd immunity,” Granholm replied.
“Why have gas prices gone up? Could that be because of the virus itself as well? Everything is tied together,” she added. “So I just want to say, this administration is totally focused on getting this virus under control, which means the economy will get under control, and then investing in the nation so that we can go big on America.”
Biden Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Has No Answer On Rising Gas Prices, Tries To Blame COVID-19
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Ironically, Granholm’s remark about herd immunity comes after the New York Times published a story suggesting herd immunity in the U.S. is no longer probable.
What’s to blame?
While typical culprits such as refinery maintenance and converting to summertime blends are partly to blame for the surge in gas prices, oil expert David Blackmon recently explained in Forbes the Biden administration’s policies are also a major contributor.
“Since last November 3, the average price per gallon of regular gasoline in the U.S. has skyrocketed by 75 cents. The markets clearly see the Biden/Harris administration as one that will work to inhibit U.S. oil production, which will also have the effect of tightening the global market, and traders have responded by driving up the price of crude oil,” Blackmon wrote.
He explained:
