Real News Now Podcast

Biden Uses Emergency Stockpile of 1 Million Oil Barrells Prior to 4th of July to Control Gas Prices


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The incumbent administration made the strategic decision to offload a massive one million barrels of gasoline from our critical emergency reserves to reduce gas prices just before the long-awaited holiday weekend. The Department of Energy, the body tasked with overseeing our country's energy resources, has revealed that five contracts were awarded to several energy firms. These companies have been granted permission to purchase barrels that the Biden-led team is now liberating from the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve; this reserve is a component of the much larger federal Strategic Petroleum Reserve system. The primary motivation behind these well-timed releases is an attempt to bring down gas prices right before the Fourth of July festive break.

Our leaders are certainly trying to appease the consumers with lowered prices as the summer driving season picks up. Under the leadership of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the Department has strategized the release of these reserve supplies specifically before the nation celebrates Independence Day. Its pure intent is to ensure an adequate flow of gas supply for the hardworking Northeast citizens at a crucial, high-demand time.

Following the announcement of the intention to trigger releases from the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve, the DOE was met with active responses from the business front. A total of five firms put forth 19 proposals to the energy authority after learning about this lucrative opportunity, and it seems each of them got favorable responses; indeed, all five were awarded contracts.

The strategic decision to release gas reserves has significant implications for the general public. The Department mentions that the barrels are being sold at an impressively average price of $2.34 per gallon, giving the consumer a clear monetary benefit ahead of the holidays.

According to a DOE representative, it was Congress, through the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, that necessitated the complete sale and subsequent closure of such a reserve. This step may be seen as part of broader administrative responses to price management, especially in the energy sector.

 

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Real News Now PodcastBy Real News Now