Division in the Democratic Party over Biden's contradictions on energy policy

Joe Biden's energy policy is far from clear, even for Democrats. The president called on oil companies to increase the pace of drilling in New Mexico only to assure days later at a rally in New York that there will be "no new drilling." In addition, Biden's statements about replacing coal plants with solar or wind power have provoked a major schism in his party as well as an angry public reaction from West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin.

Biden suffered two stumbles in New York, one, physical, while walking on stage during a rally with microphone in hand. The second, and more painful for his party, came when he was interrupted by a climate activist questioning him about drilling in the United States. The president assured that "there is no more drilling."

Biden's physical and verbal stumble in New York

These statements literally contradicted his declarations in New Mexico just a few days ago. At the time, Biden blamed the oil companies for slowing down drilling, thus affecting the price of energy. "We haven’t slowed them down at all. They should be drilling more than they’re doing now. If they were drilling more, we’d have more relief at the pump."

Closing coal plants

These were not the president's only comments on energy policy met with a negative reaction. During an election rally in Carlsbad, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 4, Biden took a full stand on the green initiatives of Gavin Newson, the state's governor. "It is now cheaper to generate electricity from wind and solar than from coal and oil, nobody is building new coal plants anymore," he said. For this reason, he announced that "we are going to close those plants all over America" and replace them with "wind and solar."

These statements angered West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. In a statement, the congressman responded harshly to the president's remarks: "President Biden's comments are not only outrageous and divorced from reality, they ignore the severe economic pain the American people are feeling because of rising energy costs. Comments like these are the reason the American people are losing confidence in President Biden."

"Their positions change depending on the audience"

Senator Manchin further noted that Americans believe Biden "does not understand the need to have an all-in energy policy that would keep our nation totally energy independent and secure. It seems his positions change depending on the audience and the politics of the day. Politicizing our nation’s energy policies would only bring higher prices and more pain for the American people.”

West Virginia's economy is heavily dependent on coal and mining. Manchin launched this devastating attack against his own party's leader just two days before the midterms. "Being cavalier about the loss of coal jobs for men and women in West Virginia and across the country who literally put their lives on the line to help build and power this country is offensive and disgusting. The President owes these incredible workers an immediate and public apology and it is time he learn a lesson that his words matter and have consequences."

Apologies from the White House

To put out the fire, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre responded in a statement that the president's remarks "have been twisted to suggest a meaning that was not intended; he regrets it if anyone hearing these remarks took offense. The President was commenting on a fact of economics and technology: as it has been from its earliest days as an energy superpower, America is once again in the midst of an energy transition."